Explaining Issues 2 and 3 on the Cincinnati ballot

Cincinnati voters will see two charter amendments on the ballot this year — one related to public safety hiring, and one related to campaign finance reporting.

Here's an explanation of Issue 2 and Issue 3.

Issue 2: Public safety hiring

This charter amendment is aimed at incentivizing young people to join the Cincinnati Police Department or Fire Department. Recruits to these public safety jobs require a entry exam through the Civil Service; the city charter offers extra points on that exam for some people, including members of the military and anyone who has graduated from a public safety academy through Cincinnati Public Schools.

Issue 2 would add new categories of people eligible to receive extra points:

anyone who has completed the Police Understudy Program or Summer Cadet Program;