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Ohio signature requirements
 (By state) |
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Contents |
Federal offices
U.S. Senate
Major party candidates are required to collect 1,000 signatures, minor party candidates: 500 signatures, and independent candidates: 5000 signatures. Additionally, there is a $150 filing fee.[1]
U.S. House
Major party candidates are required to collect 50 signatures, minor party candidates: 25 signatures, and independent candidates: Based on the number of votes cast in the congressional district in the last general election for governor. Additionally, there is a $85 filing fee.[1]
Filing deadlines
2012
U.S. Senate candidates had to file by 4 p.m. on the 90th day before the primary election for party candidates, or by 4 p.m. one day before the primary election for independent candidates. U.S. House candidates had to file by 4 p.m. on the 67th day before the primary election for party candidates (H.B. 369, Sec 3), or by 4 p.m. one day before the primary election for independent candidates.[1]
State offices
State legislature
Major party candidates are required to collect 50 signatures, minor party candidates: 25 signatures, and independent candidates: Based on the number of votes cast in the congressional district in the last general election for governor. Additionally, there is a $85 filing fee.[1]
Filing deadlines
2012
State legislative candidates had to file by 4 p.m. on December 7, 2011 (90 days before the primary election) for party candidates; or by 4 p.m. on March 5, 2012 (one day before the primary election) for independent candidates.[1]
Ballot measures
Signatures required
For constitutional amendments, petitioners must submit signatures equal to 10% of the votes cast for governor in the most recent election.
For statutes, signatures equaling 3% of these votes must be submitted in order to place the proposal before the Ohio State Legislature. If the legislature fails to enact the proposed legislation, additional signatures equaling 3% of the last gubernatorial vote must be collected in order to place the measure the ballot. Put simply, if initiative sponsors believe that the legislature will not enact their proposed law, they should plan to collect signatures equaling 6% of the last gubernatorial vote.
Veto referendums also require 6%. In addition, every type of measure requires 1000 preliminary signatures with the initial filing.
| Year | Initial signatures | Initiated amendment | Initiated statute Round 1 | Initiated statute Round 2 | Veto referendum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1,000 | 385,247 | 115,574 | 115,574 | 231,149 |
| 2012 | 1,000 | 385,247 | 115,574 | 115,574 | 231,149 |
| 2010 | 1,000 | 402,275 | 120,683 | 120,683 | 241,365 |
| 2008 | 1,000 | 402,275 | 120,683 | 120,683 | 241,365 |
See law: Ohio Constitution, Article 2, Sections 1a -1c
Basis for calculation
- In 2010, 3,852,469 votes were cast for the Office of Governor.[2]
- In 2006, 4,022,754 votes were cast for the Office of Governor.[3]
Distribution requirement
- See also: Distribution requirement
- For a constitutional amendment, signatures must be gathered from 44 of Ohio's 88 counties. From each of these 44 counties, signatures must equal 5% of the vote cast for governor in that county in the last election.
- The signatures for an initiated statute must come from at least 44 of 88 counties as well. Signatures equaling 1.5% of the vote cast for governor in each of 44 counties must be collected. If the legislature does not enact the proposed law, then signatures equaling 1.5% of the vote cast for governor in each of 44 counties must be collected in the supplemental signature-gathering phase.
- Signatures for a veto referendum must also be from 44 of Ohio's 88 counties, and signatures equal to 3% of the votes cast for governor must be from each of those 44 counties.
Recall
- See also: Laws governing recall in Ohio
ORC §705.92, which allows the recall of elected officials of cities, counties, townships, villages and other municipal corporations in the state, calls for signatures equalling "15% of the total votes cast at the most recent regular municipal election" to force a recall election.[4]
Filing deadlines
2012
- For a statute, the first round of signatures had to be filed at least ten days before the 2012 session of the Ohio General Assembly begins on the first Monday in January (January 2, 2012). This made the first filing deadline December 23, 2011. If the legislature does not act on the proposal as submitted, a second round of signatures were required to be filed 125 days before the general election or July 4, 2012. For a constitutional amendment, the deadline was July 4, 2012 (125 days before the general election).
2011
- For a statute, the first round of signatures had to be filed at least ten days before the 2011 session of the Ohio General Assembly begins (This was the first Monday in January, or January 3, 2011). The recommended deadline was December 24, 2010[5]. If the legislature does not act on the proposal as submitted, a second round of signatures must be filed 125 days before the general election or July 6, 2011. For a constitutional amendment, the deadline is also July 6, 2011 (125 days before the general election).
2010
The signature filing deadlines for the November 2010 ballot are:
- June 30, 2010 for a constitutional amendment.
- For a statute, signatures must be filed ten days before the 2010 session of the Ohio State Legislature begins, which was on the first Monday in January 2010, or January 4. The recommended filing deadline was December 23, 2009.
- For a veto referendum, signatures must be filed within ninety (90) days after the law or section of law to be referred has been filed with the Secretary of State by the Governor and any petition that is filed within that window of opportunity, but 125 days before the next election, will go on the next general election ballot that occurs over a year later.
See also
- Laws governing the initiative process in Ohio
- States where signature requirements are based on votes cast for governor
- Petition drive deadlines, 2009
- Petition drive deadlines, 2010
External links
- Procedures for statewide ballot issues, from the Ohio Secretary of State
- Procedure for an initiated statute
- Procedure for an initiated amendment
- Procedure for a veto referendum
- NCSL signature chart for 2008
- Ohio signature requirements collated by the Citizens in Charge Foundation
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 North Dakota Secretary of State, "2012 Ohio Candidate Requirement Guide," accessed April 30, 2012
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State "2010 Election Results-Governor/Lt. Governor"
- ↑ Governor of Ohio's Race % chart for 2006
- ↑ ORC §705.92
- ↑ [Confirmed via telephone with OH SOS, 21 Jan. 2011]
