Ohio voters approved State Issue 2 during the May 7 special election, ensuring continued investment in local infrastructure projects across the state for another ten years. The issue passed with 67.76% voting in favor and 32.24% against, according to unofficial statewide results.
Issue 2 renews the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP), authorizing the state to issue up to $250 million per year in general obligation bonds over the next decade. These funds will support vital local infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, water treatment systems, stormwater control, and solid waste facilities.
Voter turnout was extremely low across the state, and Adams County was no exception. Only 873 of the county’s 17,801 registered voters cast a ballot—a turnout of just under 5%. Of those, 547 voted in favor of the measure, while 326 opposed it.
Despite the low turnout, supporters of the initiative celebrated its passage, emphasizing its role in supporting public safety, job creation, and economic growth in communities across Ohio.
“We wish to thank Ohio voters for renewing the State Capital Improvement Program with today’s ‘Yes’ vote, and we appreciate the Ohio General Assembly placing Issue 2 on the May ballot,” the coalition supporting the renewal said in a post-election statement. “Thanks to our coalition’s dedicated work across Ohio for the last few months, voters have once again said ‘Yes’ to strengthening our local communities by creating jobs and improving local roads and bridges.”
In Adams County, SCIP funding has been a critical source of support for infrastructure projects in recent years. Local governments have utilized the program to repair township roads, upgrade stormwater drainage systems, and rehabilitate aging bridges in rural areas—projects that might otherwise go unfunded without state assistance.
Without Tuesday’s approval, the existing SCIP authority would have expired in July. With its renewal, the program can continue offering grants and low-interest loans through the Ohio Public Works Commission, allowing counties like Adams to pursue much-needed improvements without overburdening local taxpayers.
This is the fourth time voters have renewed the program since its original passage in 1987, underscoring broad, long-term support for state-backed infrastructure investment.
