Bail Reform, Non-Citizen Voting on Ohio’s 2022 Ballot

Ohio voters will decide two statewide issues in this month’s general election — bail reform and voting by non-citizens. (Here is the ballot language for both constitutional amendments.)

A “yes” vote for Issue 1 would allow judges to consider public safety when setting the amount for cash bail. It would also remove the state Supreme Court’s authority to set the rules on bail. State lawmakers voted to include this constitutional amendment (HJR 2) on the ballot after the court ruled in a 4-3 decision that judges may not consider public safety when setting bail.

A “yes” vote for Issue 2 — put forth by state lawmakers under HJR 4 — would prohibit non-citizens from voting in all elections. While only U.S. citizens are permitted to cast votes in federal and state elections, Ohio’s law is silent on whether that ban applies in local elections, according to Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican and supporter of the proposed amendment. 11/2/2022