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This is my first year making voting decisions as a libertarian. Turns out, it makes voting even easier — either it follows the Constitution and free-market principles or it doesn’t.

Here’s where I currently stand on the 2008 Ohio ballot issues, along with links to the official ballot language (PDFs):

• Issue 1, earlier filing deadlines for statewide ballot issues:

  Strongly Against.

  The Libertarian Argument: Citizen-initiated ballot issue rules are hard enough, why make it even harder? Thinking about the upcoming state income-tax removal proposal soon to be worked on by the Ohio Freedom Alliance and Libertarian Party of Ohio, why would we want to make our deadline for signatures even sooner?

• Issue 2, authorize the State to issue bonds to continue the Clean Ohio program for environmental revitalization and conservation:

  Against.

  From the SOS website, here’s an argument against it:

  Issue #2 Would Authorize the Government to Spend More in Bond Money. The economy is in bad condition. When times are hard, this is when we must tighten our belts and spend only what is necessary and only what we can cover with incoming revenues. Issue #2 authorizes the government to take out more debts to pay for environmental revitalization and conservation. While this may be worthwhile, the State of Ohio should not be going into further debt.

  Passing Issue #2 Means Taxpayers Will Have to Pay Back These Bonds. Issue #2 authorizes $400 Million Dollars in debt to be used for conservation purposes. You and your children will have to pay this money back. This money could be retained by taxpayers for their own purposes or used for other plans and directly helping people in need.

  The Libertarian Argument: Look— I love our parks and trees, really I do. But if Ohioans are sincerely concerned for the environment, they can donate money to their preferred non-profit environmental organization instead.

• Issue 3, amend the constitution to protect private property rights in ground water, lakes and other watercourses:

  Against.

  Again, from the SOS website, here’s the argument against it:

  Issue #3 is an unnecessary addition to the Ohio Constitution. The Supreme Court of Ohio already determined that private property owners have rights to the ground water underlying their land and to the watercourse flowing on and through their land.

  Issue #3 makes changes to the Constitution so specific that they mention legal doctrines that are not contained in the Constitution. What if those legal doctrines change by court rulings? Parts of our Constitution would no longer be relevant. That is not appropriate for our Constitution, which is supposed to be the voice of the People.

  Issue #3 does not give an accurate picture of a private property owner’s rights. Property owners do not actually own the water beneath their land. They have a right to a reasonable use of that water, but the state always has the power to regulate how it is used and take it for just compensation. Issue #3 gives private property owners the false sense of security that their land cannot be taken away at a later date.

  The Libertarian Argument: If we already have these private property protections through the Ohio Constitution and Supreme Court decisions, what is the purpose of this issue? I will always opt to NOT grant more power to the State, unless I am absolutely convinced there is no ulterior motive.

• Issue 4, requiring paid sick leave for employees in Ohio:

  N/A

  This issue was withdrawn by petitioners’ committee on Sept. 4th.

• Issue 5, making changes to check cashing lending, sometimes known as “Payday Lending,” fees, interest rates and practices:

  Against.

  The Libertarian Argument: It’s an infringement on the free market. While I personally would never use a payday lending service, if other people want to use this consumer option, it’s their choice, not the State. I do NOT want the State to be regulating interest rates, ever.

• Issue 6, casino near Wilmington in Southwest Ohio and distribute to all Ohio counties a tax on the casino:

  Against.

  The Libertarian Argument: While I have no problem with people gambling if they choose to, this amendment would grant a one-casino monopoly in the state. If we’re going to bring in casinos, we should do it in a free market way.

One last IMPORTANT note about voting in Ohio: The most secure way to vote is by ABSENTEE BALLOT, making sure to deliver it IN PERSON to the Board of Elections office.

This means your vote is recorded ON PAPER, not Diebold (Optiscan) machines!

Some people go so far as to make copies of their ballot and get it notarized — that’s all up to you.

This advice comes to me direct from a friend who works with the Citizens Alliance For Secure Elections, a group that is highly involved in the investigations of Ohio voter fraud in the 2004 Presidential election. For more information on why you should be terrified of Diebold machines, check out this Scientific American article.

Advantages of this suggested voting method:

• If lines are long or voting machines have problems, voting could take a long time and some people may choose to leave the line without voting.
• Weather could be a problem in November, voters often must wait outdoors.
• If your ID is not accepted, you have to cast a provisional ballot which might be rejected.
• Due to HB3 and a 60-day mailing, you may be required to vote provisionally regardless of having correct address, precinct, proper ID and proper voter registration.
• If your fill out a provisional ballot at the wrong precinct (even at the right polling place), your ballot will definitely be rejected.
• Ballot will not get lost or delayed in the mail

Keep in mind it’s only the beginning of October, and if the previous years are any indication, the voting rules will inevitably change time and time again, making voters even more confused.

In my opinion, it’s best to be safe and follow these four steps:

1. Make sure your registration is current.
2. Request an absentee ballot.
3. Deliver it in person (on or before Election Day.)
4. Know that your vote is as secure as it can possibly be in this ridiculous and phony “democracy” we live in.