Ohio's new law limiting the collective bargaining abilities of 350,000 unionized public workers has been defeated after an expensive union-backed campaign.


Ohio's Issue 2 evoked passionate response from voters on both sides. Its defeat on Tuesday means Senate Bill 5 will not take effect. Senate Bill 5 was a controversial new law that made changes to a variety of government laws and policies, and limits collective bargaining powers for public employees. The bill was signed into law by Gov. John Kasich earlier this year but hadn't taken effect yet.


Kasich traveled the state to promote retaining the law, which set new minimum contributions for public employee health care and retirement, and banned strikes, among other provisions.  Those in favor of the bill said the law was necessary because it would protect good teachers, restore balance and get spending under control.


Those against the bill, including fire fighters, teachers and police unions, said the law was an unfair burden on the middle class. Opponents said the bill was unsafe, unfair, hurts everyone and forces public employees who have already sacrificed to sacrifice more.

The issue prompted higher than usual voter turnout in an off-year election.

While Ohio residents headed to the polls to decided statewide and local races and issues, election officials the issues were the hot topic to get voters out to the polls.


"I do really feel that the issues are bringing everybody out, and there are some heavily contested races in the county, but I think it's the issues really bringing the voters out," Gribble said.


At one polling location, The Rose in Steubenville, the parking lot was filled with cars Tuesday afternoon as people filed in, while the booths were filled with people casting ballots.


"I think the turnout is higher than we expected and everywhere they're saying that it's steady," said Diane Gribble of the Jefferson County Board of Elections. "We could see the trend with the absentee ballots. We had a lot of absentee ballots cast so generally when that's high, you're going to see a higher turnout at the polls as well."


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