Ohio ballot issues explained

CLEVELAND -- Ohioans will vote on 5 statewide issues Tuesday. Here is a quick guide as to what your yes or no vote means on each.

Issue 1 would change the deadline for submitting ballot initiatives to the state.  Currently, ballot proposals must be submitted 90 days before an election. Issue 1 says they must be submitted 125 days before an election.

Those in favor of Issue 1 say the current deadline is too close to Election Day and puts too much pressure on election boards. Those against Issue 1 say it's already difficult to get an issue on the ballot and that Issue 1 just makes it harder.

Issue 2 would authorize the state to borrow up to $400 million over the next 8 years to continue environmental clean-up and conservation programs.

A yes vote allows the state to continue issuing bonds for Clean Ohio projects.

Issue 3 protects property owners' rights to the reasonable use of water on or running under their land. It was brought about due to fears that the new Great Lakes Water Compact would make water on private property, publicly owned.

A yes vote changes the Ohio constitution to guarantee property owners the right to the water on or under their land.

Issue 4 was removed from the Ohio ballot.

Issue 5 puts restrictions on so-called payday lenders, limiting interest charges and the number of loans an individual can take out.

Those in favor of Issue 5 say it will protect borrowers from rates that can be as high as 391%, and will prevent borrowers from getting into a spiral of revolving debt.

Opponents say it is too much regulation and will drive payday lending companies and their 6,000 jobs out of the state of Ohio.

A yes vote puts these new restrictions into effect. A no vote on Issue 5 will keep the laws and regulations as they are now.

Issue 6 allows one resort casino to be built in southwest Ohio. It would be privately operated and require an investment of $600 million. Issue 6 would call for a constitutional amendment to allow the casino.

Those promoting Issue 6 say it will bring thousands of jobs and millions of dollars to Ohio, and prevent gambling dollars from leaving the state for places like Michigan, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.

Opponents of Issue 6 say it grants a monopoly to one private company and that there are no guarantees of tax revenue to the state. Ohioans have rejected casino gambling issues three times in the past, most recently in 2006.