Issue 1: Wedge Issue in the Ohio 2004 Election

Issue 1: Wedge Issue in the Ohio 2004 Election

Text of ballot issue #1:

STATE ISSUE 1 - PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT (Proposed by Initiative Petition)

Adopted by the Ohio Ballot Board on Tuesday, August 17, 2004.

Be it Resolved by the People of the State of Ohio: That the Constitution of the State of Ohio be amended by adopting a section to be designated as Section 11 of Article XV thereof, to read as follows: Article XV Section 11. Only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this state and its political subdivisions. This state and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or effect of marriage. A majority yes vote is necessary for passage.

When the percent voting for Kerry is plotted against the percent voting for issue 1, precinct by precinct, a triangular, wedge or boomerang shape is seen, with generally white conservative and rural precincts at the upper left, black precincts at the upper right, and white liberal precincts at the lower right:

click for larger image

So the issue split Kerry voters between black precincts and white liberal precincts, with blacks going strongly for Kerry and for the ban, white liberals strongly for Kerry and strongly against the ban, and white conservatives against Kerry and for the ban.

Note that precincts in the 90%+ range will be predominantly African American precincts.

For location of some of the Cuyahoga precincts noted above, see:

Strongsville
Cleveland Heights
Cleveland ward 13

More election data from Franklin County: http://www.copperas.com/fcelection

Joe Knapp jmk@copperas.com