Party provides views on Issues 2, 3, 4 and 5

The mayor, who opposes the issues, said the time for talking is over.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- It was not a coincidence that three Democratic state legislators stood outside city hall to state their support for statewide election system reforms on today's ballot.
Mayor George M. McKelvey, a fellow Democrat and a vocal opponent of the statewide issues, works inside the building until the end of the year when his term expires.
McKelvey is the only Democrat serving as a co-chairman of Ohio First, the largely Republican-connected group opposing the four amendments.
But when asked to comment on the four amendments Monday, McKelvey had no interest in discussing the issues, saying the time for talking was done.
State Sen. Marc Dann of Liberty, D-32nd, said he thinks passage of the four issues is the "first step in building a better future."
A summary of key points
Issue 2 would allow Ohio residents to vote early without specifying a reason.
Issue 3 would reduce campaign contribution limits to state legislative and statewide candidates from individuals, political action committees and political parties.
Issue 4 would create an commission to draw competitive state and congressional districts, effective with the 2008 election. The districts are redrawn by five elected officeholders after each U.S. Census, done every 10 years.
Issue 5 would give the secretary of state's election duties to a nine-member panel.
The goal of Issue 4 is to make congressional, Ohio House and Ohio Senate districts balanced between Republican and Democratic areas of the state, Dann said.
Issue 4 might create some strange looking districts, but Dann said he thinks it would make elections more competitive.
State Sen. Robert F. Hagan, D-33rd, who is running today for Youngstown mayor, said he thinks election reform in Ohio is greatly needed and supports all four initiatives.
State Rep. John Boccieri of New Middletown, D-61st, supports Issues 2, 3 and 4, but opposes Issue 5.
"I don't think we should remove the secretary of state from administering elections; I think we should remove Ken Blackwell," the current secretary of state, Boccieri said. "It scares me to death to think he'll control the election next year while running for governor."
Mahoning County Democratic Chairwoman Lisa Antonini opposes the passage of Issues 3, 4 and 5.