The election of 2015 is almost underway – early voting begins on October 6, less than two weeks away. But Ohio is getting attention because of an addition to next year's calendar - the first presidential debate of the general election campaign will be at Wright State University in Dayton. And speaking of next year’s ballot, the group backing this year’s Issue 3 is already looking ahead for an issue it’s planning for 2016. ResponsibleOhio announced this week it’s turned in nearly 237,000 signatures for the so-called Fresh Start Act, which would create a way to purge old pot-related convictions made obsolete if marijuana is legalized this fall. And big news this week from the state regarding big tech companies: Uber wants to add 10,000 more drivers across the state next year, and was joined in the announcement by House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger and Senate President Keith Faber. And Google is working with the Secretary of State’s office on a project that’s aimed at helping entrepreneurs set up businesses.
For an off-year election, this one will be busy. There are three statewide issues on the ballot. While the marijuana legalization Issue 3, and Issue 2 by extension, will get most of the attention, the first one voters will see is also a big deal. Issue 1 will change the process by which state lawmakers district lines are drawn, by replacing the five member Apportionment Board made up of the governor, the auditor, the secretary of state, and a state lawmaker from either party with a seven member bipartisan commission. That panel would be made up of the same executives – the governor, the auditor and the secretary of state – but with four legislative appointees. And the proposal has gotten widespread support. It’s been endorsed by a wide variety of groups, including the League of Women Voters, the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, Nuns on the Bus, the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, the Ohio Farmers Union, the Ohio State Bar Association, various chambers of commerce and labor unions and both major political parties. The co-chairs of the committee to pass Issue 1 are former Rep. Matt Huffman (R-Lima) and former Rep. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron), and they’re the co-chairs of Fair Districts for Ohio.