Ohio’s November ballot issues have something for everyone

Ohio’s November ballot issues have something for everyone

Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted announced on Tuesday that petitioners had gathered more than enough signatures to add to the Nov. 8 ballot a proposed constitutional amendment seeking to exempt Ohioans from the federal health care-overhaul law passed last year. Barring a successful legal challenge, the “Health Care Freedom Act Constitutional Amendment” will appear as State Issue 3.

The amendment says: “In Ohio, no law or rule shall compel, directly or indirectly, any person, employer, or health care provider to participate in a health care system.”

If passed, the amendment likely would be only symbolic, without much legal effect.

A push for turnout

Though proponents deny it, it seems likely that part of the reason they are pushing the amendment is to generate turnout by conservative voters. This presumably would counteract the turnout of union supporters voting for a referendum to overturn Senate Bill 5’s curbs on collective-bargaining for public employees. That referendum is State Issue 2.

Whether the health care amendment passes or falls, it will become grist for the 2012 election. A victory will be touted as a repudiation of President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats. A defeat will be hailed as an endorsement of the president. Lawmakers and presidential candidates will adjust their 2012 election strategies accordingly.