Ohio 2021 ballot measures

2022 →

← 2020

Zero statewide ballot measures were certified for the 2021 ballot in the state of Ohio.

HIGHLIGHTS

Between 1995 and 2020, voters approved 53.3 percent (24 of 45) and rejected 46.7 percent (21 of 45) of the statewide ballot measures.

The initiative signature deadline for indirect initiated state statutes passed on December 25, and no petitioners submitted signatures.

Getting measures on the ballot

Citizens

In Ohio, citizens have the power to initiate constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums. Voters approved a constitutional amendment for initiative and referendum powers in 1912.

In 2021, 442,958 signatures were required for initiated constitutional amendments.

In Ohio, initiated statutes begin as indirect initiatives, requiring 132,887 signatures in 2021 to go before the Ohio State Legislature, which had the option to approve an initiative without a vote of electors. If the state legislature does not adopt an indirect initiative, the initiated statute becomes direct, requiring an additional batch of signatures (132,887 in 2021 for a grand total of 265,774) to go before voters.

A veto referendum required 265,774 signatures in 2021. The deadline for veto referendums was 90 days after the targeted law was signed.

In Ohio, signatures for citizen-initiated measures must come from 44 of Ohio's 88 counties.

Legislature

The Ohio General Assembly can refer statewide ballot measures, in the form of constitutional amendments and state statutes, to the ballot in odd-numbered years and even-numbered years. In Ohio, the most common type of legislative referral is the constitutional amendment, which requires voter approval. Between 1995 and 2018, just one legislative referral was a statute.

Ohio requires a 60 percent vote in each legislative chamber during one legislative session to refer a constitutional amendment to the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 60 votes in the Ohio House of Representatives and 20 votes in the Ohio State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Not on the ballot

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
IndISS	Background Checks for Gun Purchases Initiative	Firearms	Expands background checks for firearm purchases

Historical facts

See also: List of Ohio ballot measures

Between 1995 and 2019, the following occurred:

• A total of 45 measures appeared on statewide ballots.
• An average of two measures appeared on the ballot during odd-numbered election years.
• The number of measures appearing on statewide ballots ranged from zero to five.
• Voters approved 53.3 percent (24 of 45) and rejected 46.7 percent (21 of 45) of the statewide ballot measures.

Ohio statewide ballot measures, 1995-2019
Years	Total number	Approved	Percent approved	Defeated	Percent defeated	Odd-year average	Odd-year median	Odd-year minimum	Odd-year maximum
All measures	45	24	53.3%	21	46.7%	1.8	2.0	0	5
Initiatives	20	7	35.0%	13	65.0%	0.8	0.00	0	4
Veto referendums	3	1	33.3%	2	66.7%	0.2	0.0	0	1
Legislative amendments	20	16	80.0%	4	20.0%	0.9	1.0	0	2

Local ballot measures

See also: Ohio 2021 local ballot measures

Click here to read more about local ballot measures in Ohio in 2021.

See also

• 2021 ballot measures
• Ohio ballot measures
• Ohio signature requirements
• Procedures for qualifying an initiative in Ohio
• Laws governing the initiative process in Ohio

External links

• Initiative Petitions Submitted to the Attorney General's Office
• Ohio Ballot Board
• Ohio State Legislature