Bellefontaine, Ohio, Drag Performance Restrictions Initiative (November 2023)

Bellefontaine Drag Performance Restrictions Initiative
Election date November 7, 2023
Topic Local LGBTQ issues
Status Not on the ballot
Type Initiative

Bellefontaine Drag Performance Restrictions Initiative was not on the ballot as an initiative in Bellefontaine on November 7, 2023.

A "yes" vote would have supported this initiated ordinance to: define "drag artist(s) and drag shows as Adult Cabaret Performance," and prohibit these performances on public property or within view of a minor, and prohibit venues from allowing minors to attend drag shows.

A "no" vote would have opposed this initiated ordinance to define "drag artist(s) and drag shows as Adult Cabaret Performance," prohibit these performances on public property or within view of a minor, and prohibit venues from allowing minors to attend drag shows.

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Drag Performance Restrictions Initiative was as follows:

“

Proposal to amend City of Bellefontaine Codified Ordinance Chapter 1177 Adult Entertainment - 1177.02 Definition by adding the following text: (l) The classification of drag artist(s) and drag shows as Adult Cabaret Performance. Adult oriented exhibitions featuring male and female impersonators who provide displays and entertainment appealing to sexual interest, shall not permit the attendance of a minor. Adult Cabaret Performances shall not be held on public property, or any location viewable by a minor. Shall the proposed ordinance be adopted?

”

Support

Supporters

Ballotpedia did not locate a campaign in support of the ballot measure.

Arguments

Ballotpedia did not locate arguments in support of the ballot measure.

Opposition

Opponents

Organizations

• ACLU of Ohio

Arguments

• Sheila Smith, spokesperson for the ACLU of Ohio: "Drag is an example of free expression protected by the First Amendment, plain and simple. Bellefontaine residents and all Ohioans have the right to express themselves, on stage and off."

Path to the ballot

On April 14, 2023, a group of Bellefontaine residents filed a petition with the city auditor with proposed ballot language. The group of residents initially protested the inclusion of a drag performer in the city's 2022 Christmas parade. Six Bellefontaine residents collected 796 signatures and filed the petition with the Logan County Board of Elections to include the question on the ballot.

On August 25, 2023, five Bellefontaine residents filed a lawsuit saying that the initiative was submitted fraudulently and filed an electoral protest with the Logan County Board of Elections. An attorney representing the protestors, Tim Steinhelfer, said that the filed ballot initiative did not contain the title language submitted in August to the board of elections. On September 7, the Board of Elections voted 2-2 to remove the question from the ballot. Because the vote was tied, the issue was sent to Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R). On September 19, LaRose ruled to place the initiative on the Bellefontaine ballot in November. "Based upon the evidence provided to my Office, it is my view that the initiative petition and the part-petitions presented to voters were compliant with the law," LaRose said.

The protestors filed a complaint with the Ohio Supreme Court against LaRose and the Logan Board of Elections on September 21, 2023. On October 9, 2023, the Supreme Court ordered that the initiative be removed from the ballot, deciding that the petition was improperly changed.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Ohio

See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in Ohio.

How to vote in Ohio

Poll times

In Ohio, all polling places are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Voters who are in line at 7:30 p.m. are permitted to vote.

Registration

Check your voter registration status here.

To register to vote in Ohio, an applicant must be a United States citizen, a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days before the election, and at least 18 years old by the day of the election. Individuals who are incarcerated for a felony conviction, have been declared by a court to be incompetent for voting purposes, or have been permanently disenfranchised may not register to vote.

Applicants may register to vote online, in person, or by mail. The Ohio Voter Registration and Information Update Form is available online and can be requested by mail. In-person voter registration is available at various locations including the secretary of state and board of elections offices, Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices, public libraries and high schools, and other state agencies. A full list of locations is available here.

The deadline to register to vote is 30 days before the next election. An Ohio driver’s license number, state ID card number, or the last four digits of a SSN is required in order to register to vote or update a voter registration.

Automatic registration

Ohio does not practice automatic voter registration.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Ohio has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

Ohio does not allow same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

Prospective voters must be residents of Ohio for at least 30 days before the election.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Ohio does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, "whoever commits election falsification is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree."

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The Ohio Secretary of State’s Office allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visiting this website.

Voter ID requirements

Ohio requires voters to present photo identification while voting.

The following list of accepted ID was current as of April 2023. Click here for the Ohio Secretary of State page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

“

Ohio driver's license; State of Ohio ID card; Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV; A US passport; A US passport card; US military ID card; Ohio National Guard ID card; or US Department of Veterans Affairs ID card All photo IDs must have the following: An expiration date that has not passed; A photograph of the voter; The voter’s name, which must substantially conform to the voter’s name as it appears in the Poll List or in the Poll Book

”

See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2023
• Local LGBTQ issues on the ballot

Ohio

• Ohio 2023 local measures
• Local ballot measures, Ohio
• Bellefontaine, Ohio

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas