Ohio’s Constitution empowers citizens of the state to place issues directly before voters on a statewide ballot. Here’s how it happens.

1 DRAFT PROPOSAL & SUMMARY

• Draft the proposed initiative and summary of proposal.

• Get signatures from at least 1,000 registered Ohio voters.

2 CERTIFICATION

• Attorney General certifies that the title and summary reflect the proposal.

• The Ballot Board certifies the petition as containing one amendment.

  Roadblocks

• Unclear standards lead to arbitrary, inconsistent decisions.

• Legal challenges can take several months, wasting time.

3 GATHER SIGNATURES

• Collect signatures from at least 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties.

  • Total must equal at least 10% of the last election's votes for governor.

  • County signatures must equal 5% of county’s governor votes last election.

• Submit Form 15 for anyone paying or paid to organize efforts to obtain signatures.

  Roadblocks

• The entire petition can be invalidated if one person’s form is filed late.

• Process of gathering signatures is expensive and time-consuming.

4 FILING & VERIFICATION

• File all petitions (physical and digital copies) with the Secretary of State at the same time, at least 125 days before the General Election.

• Secretary of State reviews and certifies the signatures. May require additional signature collection.

• Ohio Supreme Court oversees challenges to petitions or signatures.

  Roadblocks

• Expensive and time-consuming to create digital copies of petitions.

5 BALLOT LANGUAGE

• Ballot Board writes ballot language.

• Pro/Con public comments published.

  Roadblocks

• The Ballot Board may write an unfair and misleading description (that does not reflect what was on the signature-gathering petition.)

6 VOTE!

• Ohio citizens vote.

• If passed, the intiative becomes law within 30 days.

Learn more about the ballot initiative process and see how you can help restore voter confidence in Ohio’s citizen-led ballot initiatives