A little more than half of Athens’ 48,858 registered voters turned out to cast their vote Tuesday, down from 60 percent in 2008.
In addition to choosing candidates in various races — including re-electing President Barack Obama and Athens County Sheriff Pat Kelly — Athens voters also made their decisions on state Issue 1 and Issue 2.
Athens County voters were in favor of Issue 2, an amendment to the Ohio Constitution that would take the authority to redistrict state districts away from elected officials. About 51 percent of voters in the county voted “yes,” according to the Athens County Board of Elections.
Still, Issue 2 failed across the state, with about 68 percent of Ohioans voting against it, according to Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted’s office.
Issue 1, which would create a convention to revise the state constitution, was voted down in Athens County by a wide margin — 68 in favor to about 32 percent in favor. But 63 percent of Ohioans voted against the issue.
About 63 percent of Ohioans voted against Issue 2 with about 37 percent voting in favor.
Assistant State Public Defender Herman Carson, a Democrat, voted against Issue 1, calling it “obsolete.”
Ohioans vote on Issue 1 once every 20 years, as mandated by the Ohio Constitution.
On Issue 2, about 51 percent of Athens County voters thought the legislation should be approved. Charles Porter, a resident from The Plains who supports Obama, voted “yes” on Issue 2.
“Power needs to be taken out of the hands of the politicians and given to an impartial group of people,” Porter said.
Athens County has recently been redistricted to include Upper Arlington, a more economically affluent area, said Athens City Councilwoman Chris Fahl, D-4th Ward.
“It makes sense to have districts based on common themes,” Fahl said.
She said issues pertinent to Athens would be ignored by politicians who can neglect the area in favor of other areas with issues more convenient for them to cater to.
Chris Chmiel, county commissioner-elect, said he supports Issue 2 because he would like to see more citizens involved in decision-making processes.
“Politicians inherently want to make it so their seats are safe,” Porter said. “With the current system, they do not even have to look at all the issues.”
af116210@ohiou.edu
