WOSU’s Mike Thompson and the Columbus on the Record panel review the week’s top stories including the latest the campaigns to enshrine abortion rights in the constitution, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine sudden support for abortion exceptions, the legalized marijuana campaign has a new ad out, voting questions and the Columbus City School Levy..
*In This Episode*
*Abortion Rights Campaign Intensifies*
With a little more than a week before election day, the abortion rights campaign is intensifying. These are the last days of sending out mailers, knocking on doors and getting ads on as many TVs and computer screens as possible.
If passed, Issue 1 would enshrine abortion rights in the Ohio Constitution. Supporters stress it would keep the government out of private healthcare decisions. Opponents continue their claims the measure is too extreme and could prevent parents from having a say in their minor children’s decisions.
The latest fundraising reports show abortion rights supporters have outraised opponents by a three-to-one margin.
*Gov. DeWine Would Support Abortion Exceptions*
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is softening his stance on Ohio’s six-week abortion ban which is on hold right now.
This week he told WCMH that the law goes too far. That comment is much different than his position when he signed the law in 2019.
The governor told NBC4 he now thinks the legislature should consider making an exception for rape and incest.
*Marijuana Legalization Campaign Focuses On Ohio State-Michigan*
The campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Ohio has been quiet.
The yes on Issue 2 campaign is up with its first TV ad. It plays on Ohio’s rivalry with Michigan and claims Ohio is losing lots of tax revenue because Ohioans are traveling to the state to the north to buy legal marijuana.
*Ohio Voting Questions: ID Rule and Pre-Election Purge*
The process of voting continues to cause confusion and controversy. Ohio voters now must show a photo id. And a fair number of voters did not have one when they tried to cast a ballot in August.
An Ohio Public Radio analysis of rejected provisional ballots shows the number ballots rejected in August was four times was it was in last November’s election.
And this week it came out that Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose quietly purged some 26,000 voters from the rolls last month. The move was legal and required by federal law. But doing it a month before a statewide election featuring controversial issues has raised questions
*Columbus Schools Levy Also On November Ballot*
There are other races and issues on the November ballot, including Columbus mayor, city council, school board and various school levies. Columbus City Schools is seeking a $100 million levy.
About half the levy would pay for operating expenses. The other half would pay to maintain the district’s more than 100 school buildings. It would cost property owners about $270 dollars for each $100,000 in property value.
School officials say the district needs the money to make up for pandemic relief funding which ends soon. Opponents criticize the way administrators run the district and point to declining enrollment.
*This Week’s Panelists*
Julie Carr Smyth of The Associated Press
Terry Casey, Republican strategist
Derrick Clay, Democratic strategist
*Additional coverage from WOSU*
As you prepare to vote, and you need more information on the candidates and issues and the new rules casting your ballot, visit WOSU’s Ohio Voter Guide at wosu.org/voterguide.
What does Ohio's Issue 1 say on miscarriage care and other reproductive rights? [ Ссылка ]
Nearly a third of provisional ballots in Ohio's August special election were tossed for lack of ID - [ Ссылка ]
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*Chapters*
00:00 - Introduction
00:18 - Gov. DeWine Would Support Abortion Exceptions*
08:40 - Marijuana Legalization Campaign Focuses On Ohio State-Michigan
14:07 - Ohio Voting Questions: ID Rule and Pre-Election Purge
20:48 - Columbus Schools Levy Also On November Ballot
24:55 - Off The Record closing comments
