When thinking about voting in this upcoming election it is best to leave ideology out of the equation. Candidates either have sound policies, or poor ones.

It is with this in mind that the BG News has come to the conclusion to vote no on Issue 1.

We do not view Issue 1 from a liberal or conservative, religious or agnostic stance of whether gay marriage should be banned in the state constitution. We perceived it as a poorly conceived and poorly written bill that would hurt Ohio in many ways.

The language of the bill states, “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.”

Many in Ohio, liberal and conservative alike interpret this as being too vague and far sweeping. It goes beyond just denying gay marriage and limits all partnership benefits of unmarried couples and even the elderly who rely on each other in their later years.

This is not only the position of our editorial board, but also of many anti-gay marriage politicians in Ohio such as Sen. Mike DeWine, Sen. George Voinovich, Gov. Bob Taft and Attorney General Jim Petro — all Republicans.

Other groups who have come out against the bill include the AARP, League of Women’s Voters, the ACLU, Ohio Federation of Teachers and Ohio State University.

The bill would hurt Ohio State — and in the future, possibly BGSU — because it would prohibit state schools from offering partnership benefits to unmarried couples. This could lead to our University not recruiting the best educators and employees.

The effect of the bill would stop unmarried couples from settling wills, gaining health insurance benefits or visiting loved ones in the hospital.

Even worse for our struggling state is that it would hurt business all over Ohio. While we have already lost over 200,000 jobs during the last four years, passing Issue 1 would only compound the problem. It would prevent employers from offering health benefits to gay and unmarried couples driving away top candidates.

If you are in an unmarried couple and a business in Ohio is offering $80,000 a year, and an Indiana business is offering $80,000 a year with health benefits who do you think the candidate would choose?

Issue 1 is being opposed across the isle and no one should let their political ideology cloud their judgement when voting.