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.
PENDING STATEWIDE BALLOT ISSUES
RAISE THE WAGE OHIO AMENDMENT (2022)
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)
- Attorney General Certification Letter, October 28, 2022 (PDF)
- Letter from the Ohio Ballot Board, November 7, 2022 (PDF)
MEDICAL RIGHT TO REFUSE AMENDMENT
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)
- Attorney General Certification Letter, June 24, 2022 (PDF)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter, July 5, 2022 (PDF)
THE LIFETIME GENERAL ASSEMBLY TERM LIMITS AMENDMENT
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter, February 27, 2020 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Letter from the Ohio Ballot Board, March 2, 2020 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
THE SECURE AND FAIR ELECTIONS AMENDMENT (RESUBMISSION)
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter, February 20, 2020 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Letter from the Ohio Ballot Board, March 2, 2020 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter, April 23, 2020 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
RAISE THE WAGE OHIO AMENDMENT (2020)
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter January 27, 2020 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter February 5, 2020 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
SHORT-TERM LOAN CONSUMER PROTECTION
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter May 21, 2018 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter May 29, 2018 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
MARIJUANA RIGHTS AND REGULATIONS
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter May 10, 2018 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter May 17, 2018 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
KIDNEY DIALYSIS
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter February 9, 2018 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter February 20, 2018 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Unique Supplemental Petition – Kidney Dialysis July 23, 2018 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY, DRUG TREATMENT, AND REHABILITATION AMENDMENT
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter December 8, 2017 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter December 12, 2017 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Argument in Support (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Argument Against (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Certified Ballot Language (PDF)(opens in a new window)
THE OHIO COMMUNITY RIGHTS AMENDMENT
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter November 27, 2017 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter December 5, 2017 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
THE INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM AMENDMENT FOR COUNTIES AND TOWNSHIPS
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter December 5, 2017 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
THE OHIO PUPPY MILL PREVENTION AMENDMENT
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter September 15, 2017 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter September 22, 2017 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING REFORM AMENDMENT
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter May 22, 2017 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter May 30, 2017 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
OHIO CANNABIS RIGHTS PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT II
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter April 7, 2016 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter April 14, 2016 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
OHIOANS FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter March 25, 2016 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter March 31, 2016 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
ETHICS FIRST PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter March 14, 2016 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter March 23, 2016 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
CLEAN ENERGY PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT V
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter March 14, 2016 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter March 23, 2016 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
CLEAN ENERGY PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IV
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter November 2, 2015 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter November 10, 2015 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
OHIO FAIR WAGE AMENDMENT
- Summary and Full Text(PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter October 23, 2015 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter October 30, 2015 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
STRENGTHENING TERM LIMITS ON STATE LEGISLATORS
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter September 8, 2015 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter September 18, 2015 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
CANNABIS CONTROL AMENDMENT
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter June 17, 2015 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter June 25, 2015 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
LEGALIZE MARIJUANA AND HEMP IN OHIO
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter May 7, 2015 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter May 14, 2015 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
OHIO CANNABIS RIGHTS PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter May 17, 2013 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Single Issue Certification Letter May 23, 2013 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
VOTER BILL OF RIGHTS PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter March 10, 2014(PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Single Issue Certification Letter March 13, 2014 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
FREEDOM TO MARRY PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter April 14, 2014 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Single Issue Certification Letter April 22, 2014 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
BOTTLE BILL FOR OHIO
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter October 8, 2014 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Single Issue Certification Letter October 17, 2014 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
CLEAN ENERGY PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter February 21, 2012 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
CLEAN ENERGY PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT II
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter November 18, 2013 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Single Issue Certification Letter November 19, 2013 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
CLEAN ENERGY PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT III
- Summary and Full Text(opens in a new window) (PDF)
- Attorney General Certification Letter July 7, 2014 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Single Issue Certification Letter July 14, 2014 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
WORKPLACE FREEDOM PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter February 1, 2012 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Single Issue Certification Letter February 9, 2012 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
OHIO MEDICAL CANNABIS PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Cerification Letter January 20, 2012 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Single Issue Certification Letter January 25, 2012 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
PERSONHOOD PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Attorney General Certification Letter December 30, 2011 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ballot Board Single Issue Certification Letter January 9, 2012 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
OHIO ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INITIATED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING
- Substitute Senate Joint Resolution 5 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Certified Ballot Language (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Certified Explanation (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Argument For (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Certified Argument Against (PDF)(opens in a new window)
BAIL REFORM
- Substitute House Joint Resolution 2 (PDF)
- Certified Ballot Language (PDF)
- Certified Explanation (PDF)
- Certified Argument For (PDF)
- Certified Argument Against (PDF)
QUALIFICATIONS OF ELECTORS
INITIATED STATUTE
AN ACT TO CONTROL AND REGULATE ADULT USE CANNABIS
- Summary and Full Text (PDF)
- Ballot Board Certification Letter August 30, 2021 (PDF)
- Attorney General Certification Letter September 3, 2021 (PDF)
- Unique Supplemental Petition Form January 3, 2022 (PDF)
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 Paula Hicks-Hudson
Ohio House
Ohio House Appointee
77 S. High St., 14th Floor
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 Pavan V. Parikh
Ohio Senate Appointee
Hamilton County Clerk of Courts
1000 Main Street, Room 375
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Ballot Board Term ends February 6, 2023
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).