24.2 Ballot Initiatives in Ohio

Understanding Ballot Initiatives

A ballot initiative is a process that allows the people of Ohio to propose new laws or constitutional amendments without needing the approval of the General Assembly. According to the Ohio Legislative Service Commission, an initiative petition must meet certain legal requirements, such as having the minimum number of signatures. If the petition is valid, the issue is then submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection (Ohio Legislative Service Commission, p. 141).

Initiatives are an important part of direct democracy. They give Ohio citizens the power to create laws and amend the constitution directly, bypassing the state legislature. This process allows the public to address issues that they feel are not being adequately handled by their elected representatives.

The Initiative Process

Starting a ballot initiative in Ohio involves several key steps. First, a group of citizens must draft a proposed law or constitutional amendment. They must then file the proposed text with the Ohio Attorney General and collect signatures from registered voters. The total number of signatures required is equal to 6 percent of the votes cast for the office of Governor in the last election. Additionally, the signatures must come from at least 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties, with each county providing signatures equal to five percent of the votes cast for the office of Governor in that county.

Initiating a referendum is difficult and requires significant resources. In the last gubernatorial election, 4,201,368 people turned out to vote. Therefore, you would need at least 252,082 signatures. Almost all successful referendums employ companies who specialize in signature gathering.

Once the signatures are collected, the petition is submitted to the Secretary of State for verification. If the petition is deemed valid, the proposed law or amendment is placed on the ballot for a statewide vote. During the next general election, voters have the opportunity to vote “yes” to approve the measure or “no” to reject it. If the majority of voters approve the measure, it becomes law or an amendment to the constitution.

Case Study: The 2009 Casino Gambling Amendment

A well-known example of a ballot initiative in Ohio is the 2009 Casino Gambling Amendment. This initiative proposed allowing casino gambling in specific Ohio cities, including Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Toledo.

Supporters of the initiative drafted the proposed amendment and began collecting signatures. They gathered enough signatures to meet the legal requirements and submitted the petition to the Secretary of State, who validated it. The proposed amendment was then placed on the ballot for the 2009 general election.

During the election, the people of Ohio voted on the Casino Gambling Amendment. The majority of voters, about 53%, voted “yes,” approving the amendment. As a result, casino gambling was legalized in the specified cities, demonstrating the power of the initiative process in Ohio.

Recent Example: 2023 Abortion Constitutional Amendment

Another recent example is the 2023 Abortion Constitutional Amendment. This ballot initiative aimed to enshrine abortion rights in the Ohio Constitution. Supporters gathered the necessary signatures and successfully placed the measure on the ballot. The majority of Ohio voters approved the amendment, reflecting the ongoing debate on reproductive rights and the ability of citizens to directly influence significant legal changes.

Initiatives like this show how Ohioans can directly propose and enact laws or constitutional amendments. By understanding and participating in the initiative process, citizens can ensure that their voices are heard and that important issues are addressed, even if the state legislature does not act on them.

References

Ohio Legislative Service Commission. 2023. Legislative Glossary in A Guidebook for Ohio Legislators. Columbus, OH.

Sracic, Paul A., and William C. Binning. 2015. Chapter 9 – Direct Democracy in Ohio in Ohio Government and Politics. Washington, DC: CQ Press.

https://www.ohiosos.gov/legislation-and-ballot-issues/putting-an-issue-on-the-ballot/statewide-referendum/