How are issues put on the ballot? What issues may be on the ballot? Who determines what issues are on ballot?

April 1, 2024

Several requirements must be met before a proposed statewide issue can be placed on the ballot. Links explaining those procedures can be found here. The Ohio Ballot Board’s role in the process is first to determine whether the petition language contains a single issue and secondly, to prescribe the official ballot language and any missing arguments for each statewide issue.

HOW ARE ISSUES PUT ON THE BALLOT?

REFERENDUM

A referendum is a challenge to a bill recently passed by the Ohio General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor.
Click here to learn more about the procedure for a referendum.

INITIATED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

An initiated constitutional amendment is identical to the concept of an initiated statute only rather than proposing a new law (or statute) the citizen is proposing an amendment to the Ohio Constitution. The Ohio General Assembly also has the power to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot via a joint resolution.

Click here to learn more about the procedure for a citizen – initiated constitutional amendment.

Click here to learn more about the procedure for a constitutional amendment initiated by the General Assembly.

INITIATED STATUTE

If a citizen feels that an issue is not addressed properly (or at all) in the Ohio Constitution and the Ohio Revised Code, they can follow the procedures outlined in the Ohio Constitution and the Ohio Revised Code to submit the proposed law (statute) to the people of Ohio for a statewide vote.

Click here to learn more about the procedure for an initiated statue.

ADDITIONAL BALLOT ACCESS RESOURCES

PENDING STATEWIDE BALLOT ISSUES

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
CITIZEN-INITIATED

AN AMENDMENT TO REPLACE THE CURRENT POLITICIAN-RUN REDISTRICTING PROCESS II – Petitions are currently being circulated for signatures to put proposed amendment on November 2024 General Election Ballot

AN AMENDMENT TO REPLACE THE CURRENT POLITICIAN-RUN REDISTRICTING PROCESS

RAISE THE WAGE OHIO (2023)

THE RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM WITH PROTECTIONS FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY – Passed 11.07.2023/General Election

RAISE THE WAGE OHIO AMENDMENT (2022)

MEDICAL RIGHT TO REFUSE AMENDMENT

THE LIFETIME GENERAL ASSEMBLY TERM LIMITS AMENDMENT

THE SECURE AND FAIR ELECTIONS AMENDMENT (RESUBMISSION)

RAISE THE WAGE OHIO AMENDMENT (2020)

SHORT-TERM LOAN CONSUMER PROTECTION

MARIJUANA RIGHTS AND REGULATIONS

KIDNEY DIALYSIS

THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY, DRUG TREATMENT, AND REHABILITATION AMENDMENT

THE OHIO COMMUNITY RIGHTS AMENDMENT

THE INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM AMENDMENT FOR COUNTIES AND TOWNSHIPS

THE OHIO PUPPY MILL PREVENTION AMENDMENT

BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING REFORM AMENDMENT

OHIO CANNABIS RIGHTS PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT II

OHIOANS FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

ETHICS FIRST PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

CLEAN ENERGY PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT V

CLEAN ENERGY PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IV

OHIO FAIR WAGE AMENDMENT

STRENGTHENING TERM LIMITS ON STATE LEGISLATORS

CANNABIS CONTROL AMENDMENT

LEGALIZE MARIJUANA AND HEMP IN OHIO

OHIO CANNABIS RIGHTS PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

VOTER BILL OF RIGHTS PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

FREEDOM TO MARRY PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

BOTTLE BILL FOR OHIO

CLEAN ENERGY PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

CLEAN ENERGY PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT II

CLEAN ENERGY PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT III

WORKPLACE FREEDOM PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

OHIO MEDICAL CANNABIS PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

PERSONHOOD PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

OHIO ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INITIATED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

ELEVATING STANDARDS TO QUALIFY FOR AND PASS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS – Passed 8.08.2023/Special Election

CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING

BAIL REFORM

QUALIFICATIONS OF ELECTORS

INITIATED STATUTE

AN ACT TO CONTROL AND REGULATE ADULT USE CANNABIS – Passed 11.07.2023/General Election

AN ACT TO CLOSE LOOPHOLES IN BACKGROUND CHECKS ON GUN SALES

STATEWIDE REFERENDUM

There are no referenda at this time.

OHIO BALLOT BOARD

The Ohio Ballot Board prescribes and certifies the ballot language for proposed Constitutional amendments, initiatives, and referenda and oversees efforts to inform voters of proposed ballot issues. The Secretary of State chairs the five member board and the office of the Secretary of State provides professional, technical, and clerical support for the Board.

Several requirements must be met before a proposed statewide issue can be placed on the ballot. Those procedures can be found here. The Ohio Ballot Board’s role in the process is first to determine whether the petition language contains a single issue and secondly, to prescribe the official ballot language and any missing arguments for each statewide issue.

Ohio Ballot Board Members

The Honorable Frank LaRose, Chairperson
Ohio Secretary of State
180 East Broad Street, 16th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215

The Honorable Theresa Gavarone (R-SD2)
Ohio Senate
Ohio Senate Appointee
1 Capitol Square, Second Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Ballot Board Term ends February 1, 2025

The Honorable William P. DeMora (D-SD25)
Ohio Senate
Ohio Senate Appointee
Statehouse
1 Capitol Square
Ground Floor 052
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Ballot Board Term ends February 1, 2025

William N. Morgan
Ohio House Appointee
8740 Stoutsville Pike
Stoutsville, Ohio 43154
Ballot Board Term ends February 1, 2025

The Honorable Elliot Forhan
Ohio House
Ohio House Appointee
77 S. High St., Floor 10
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Ballot Board Term ends February 1, 2025

Term ending dates listed above reflect the end of the four-year Ballot Board term as prescribed by Ohio Revised Code §3505.061(B)(1)(opens in a new window).  However, please note that the term of a Ballot Board member who is also a member of the Ohio General Assembly is the earlier of the following dates:  (a) The ending date of the ballot board term for which the member was appointed; or (b) The ending date of the member’s term as a member of the general assembly.  Ohio Revised Code §3505.061(B)(2)(opens in a new window).