Ohio voters have repealed Governor John Kasich’s collective bargaining law, the latest blow to supporters of the measure.
With 19 percent of the precincts reporting, The Associated Press has declared Issue 2 — the ballot referendum to decide the future of Senate Bill 5 — rejected with 63 percent voting no and just 37 percent voting yes.
Mr. Kasich, a prominent Republican who had championed the law as a tool for cities to cut costs, spent much of the 2011 election campaigning on behalf of the measure. The vote likely reignites the debate over limiting collective bargaining rights for public-sector labor unions in Ohio, where supporters of repealing the law have sought to build support in recent months.
Speaking Tuesday night in Columbus, Mr. Kasich congratulated supporters of Issue 2, saying that the defeat provides him an opportunity to “take a deep breath” and reflect.
“It’s clear the people have spoken,” Mr. Kasich said. “I’ve heard their voices, understand their decision and I respect what the people had to say.”
The victory was met with enthusiasm from labor leaders, including AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.
“Today’s defeat of Issue 2 is a major victory for working families in Ohio and across the country,” said Mr. Trumka in a statement. “Ohio’s working people successfully fought back against lies pushed by shadowy multi-national corporations and their anonymous front groups that attempted to scapegoat public service employees and everyone they serve by assaulting collective bargaining rights.”
Results show Issue 2 was defeated in 73 counties and won only six counties. Nine counties remain undecided.
