COLUMBUS — High-profile statewide measures on crime victims’ rights and prescription drug prices will be decided Tuesday in Ohio, along with local elections including mayoral races in three of the state’s four largest cities.
Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Ohioans have been bombarded with ads on the statewide issues, and reported spending topping $65 million has made the Issue 2 drug price measure the most expensive ballot campaign in state history.
The proposed constitutional amendment — the Drug Price Standards Initiative — would require that that state of Ohio pay no more from prescription drugs for its programs than the price paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which proponents claim would save the state $400 million a year.
“We truly are empowering voters to say to these drug companies, ‘we are sick and tired of your price-gouging’,” said Dennis Willard, spokesman for Ohio Taxpayers for Lower Drug Prices, the coalition behind the ballot issue.
Opponents claim the state already pays about the same amount as the VA for drugs purchased via Medicaid, its largest medical program, so the discount would be minimal and would not apply to the millions of Ohioans who have private insurance or are covered by the federal Medicare program.
“This only applies to drugs that are bought by the state of Ohio. Two thirds of Ohioans are left out of that equation,” said Dale Butland, spokesman for Deceptive Rx Issue, which claims drug prices for those people might increase of the measure is approved.
Slightly less visible has been the battle over Issue 1, officially titled “Rights for Crime Victims.”
Unoffically known as “Marsy’s Law,” the proposal would guarantee that crime victims will have notification during each step in the legal process involving the defendant in the crime and that victims and family members have the right to be present in the courtroom and have a voice in the judicial process.
While supporters say it protects the safety of victims, opponents of Issue 1 claim it conflicts with essential constitutional guarantees against double jeopardy, the right to confront an accuser and the right to a speedy trial.
Across the state, voters in local elections will choose leaders of cities, villages and townships.
That includes voters who will cast ballots on school issues in Upper Arlington, New Albany, Madison-Plains Local Schools and the Delaware Area Career Center and Franklin County voters who will decide the fate of a levy for developmental disabilities services.
Democratic incumbent mayors have challengers in intraparty battles in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo. Democratic Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson is seeking a record fourth four-year term.