CLEVELAND -- Ohio is no stranger to the national spotlight when it comes to elections but this off-year municipal-based November is grabbing the attention of powerbrokers nationwide as if we were voting on a president.

The passion on both sides of Issue 2, the collective bargaining law, has brought MSNBC's "Ed Show" to Columbus two nights in a row.

While Issue 2 is statewide, donations have rolled in from beyond Ohio borders for those who oppose it and those working for its passage.

120,000 people have already voted by mail in Cuyahoga County.

Elections Board Director Jane Platten predicts a 29 percent voter turnout. That's in line with the last off-year election when Ohioans were voting on casinos and, in Cuyahoga County, a new government.

"You have two contested sides that are out there vigorously campaigning and a lot of public attention," Cuyahoga Board of Elections Director Jane Platten said.

Of all the many places labor leader AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka could be the day before elections, he chose to come here to put in his two cents on Issue 2.

The outcome promises to to be emotional and could set the tone for such pending legislation in several other states.

Don't let the crowds scare you away. Polls open at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. Average time to vote is 10 minutes. Poll workers suggest you come during off-hours midday or mid-afternoon.

If you don't know where your polling place is, you can check with your county board of elections and on the Ohio Secretary of State web site.

WKYC-TV