Ohio Ballot Measures: Historical Ballot Measures Factbook

Historical Ballot Measures Factbook

Ohio Ballot Measures

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Ohioans have decided 307 ballot measures since 1910

Ballotpedia completed an inventory of all Ohio ballot measures since 1910. Between 1910 and 2025, Ohioans voted on 307 ballot measures. Voters approved 170 measures and rejected 137 measures.

The Ohio State Legislature has voted to refer 207 ballot measures to the state ballot between 1910 and 2025, while citizen initiatives made up 100 of the measures on the ballot. Legislatively referred measures were approved 69% of the time, compared to 26% for ballot initiatives.

The inventory of Ohio statewide ballot measures is part of Ballotpedia's Historical Ballot Measure Factbook, which will document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States. This ongoing research effort will provide an unparalleled resource for researchers, reporters, and the voting public on how ballot measures have evolved, the issues they've covered, and the role they have played in our civic life.

Explore the topics below for detailed information:

• Database search table

  This section provides a table to search Ohio historical ballot measures by decade and keyword.

• Notable topics

  This section summarizes notable topics Ohio voters have decided on.

• Statistics

  This section highlights measures with the closest and widest margins, as well as the breakdown by topic, decade, and type.

• Background

  This section describes the process of placing a statewide measure on the ballot.

Historical Ballot Measure Lookup Tool

DecadeSelect Tab

• 2020-2029
• 2010-2019
• 2000-2009
• 1990-1999
• 1980-1989
• 1970-1979
• 1960-1969
• 1950-1959
• 1940-1949
• 1930-1939
• 1920-1929
• 1910-1919

2020-2029 Ballot Measures

Year	Type	Title	Description	Result
2025	LRCA	Issue 2	Allow the state to issue up to $2.5 billion in general obligation bonds to assist local governments in funding public infrastructure improvement projects	Approved
2024	CICA	Issue 1	Establish the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission (CRC), a 15-member non-politician commission responsible for adopting state legislative and congressional redistricting plans	Defeated
2023	LRCA	Issue 1	Require a 60% vote to approve a constitutional amendment; increase the signature distribution requirement; and eliminate the signature cure period	Defeated
2023	CICA	Issue 1	Provide that each individual has the right to make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions	Approved
2023	IndISS	Issue 2	Legalize the recreational use of marijuana for adults 21 years of age or older	Approved
2022	LRCA	Issue 1	Require judges to "use factors such as public safety, including the seriousness of the offense, and a person's criminal record" when setting amounts and conditions of bail	Approved
2022	LRCA	Issue 2	Prohibit the state and local governments from allowing noncitizens to vote	Approved

2010-2019 Ballot Measures

Year	Type	Title	Description	Result
2018	LRCA	Issue 1	Ohio Issue 1, the Congressional Redistricting Procedures Amendment, is on the ballot in Ohio as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on May 8, 2018.	Approved
2018	CICA	Issue 1	Ohio Issue 1, the Drug and Criminal Justice Policies Initiative, is on the ballot in Ohio as an initiated constitutional amendment on November 6, 2018.	Defeated
2017	CICA	Issue 1	Add a Marsy's Law, a type of crime victims' rights amendment, to the Ohio Constitution	Approved
2017	IndISS	Issue 2		Defeated
2015	LRCA	Issue 1	Create the seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission, responsible for adopting state legislative districts	Approved
2015	LRCA	Issue 2		Approved
2015	CICA	Issue 3	Legalize the limited sale and use of marijuana and created 10 facilities with exclusive commercial rights to grow marijuana.	Defeated
2014	LRCA	Issue 1	Allow the state to issue $1.875 billion in general obligation bonds	Approved
2012	Automatic constitutional convention question	Issue 1		Defeated
2012	CICA	Issue 2	Establish a 12-member non-politician commission responsible for adopting state legislative and congressional redistricting plans	Defeated
2011	LRCA	Issue 1		Defeated
2011	VR	Issue 2		Defeated
2011	CICA	Issue 3		Approved
2010	LRCA	Issue 1	Issue up to $700 million in bonds over five years for the Third Frontier economic development program	Approved
2010	LRCA	Issue 2		Approved

2000-2009 Ballot Measures

Year	Type	Title	Description	Result
2009	LRCA	Issue 1	Authorize the issuance of bonds to provide compensation to veterans of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq conflicts	Approved
2009	LRCA	Issue 2	Establish the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board to establish and implement standards of care for livestock and poultry	Approved
2009	CICA	Issue 3	Authorize one casino facility within certain cities, levy a fixed tax of 33% of gross casino revenue, and establish the distribution of tax revenue	Approved
2008	LRCA	Issue 1	Change the signature deadline for initiatives from 90 days before the election to 125 days before the election	Approved
2008	LRCA	Issue 2	Authorize the issuance of bonds for environmental conservation and preservation	Approved
2008	LRCA	Issue 3	Guarantee property owners the right to make reasonable use of ground water beneath their land and on their border	Approved
2008	VR	Issue 5	Require voters to decide whether Section 3 of H.B. 545 shall go into effect, which relates to payday lending fees, interest rates, and practices	Approved
2008	CICA	Issue 6	Authorize construction of a casino near Southwest Ohio and distributing tax revenue from the casino to all Ohio counties	Defeated
2006	CICA	Issue 2	Raise the minimum wage to $6.85 per hour	Approved
2006	CICA	Issue 3	Permit up to 31,500 slot machines at seven horse tracing racks and two non-track locations and establishing distribution of revenues	Defeated
2006	CICA	Issue 4	Prohibit the smoking of tobacco in enclosed spaces except for in tobacco stores, private residences, or specifically designated areas	Defeated
2006	IndISS	Issue 5	Prohibit the smoking of tobacco in public places and places of employment except in designated smoking areas	Approved
2005	LRCA	Issue 1	Allow the state to issue multiple general obligation bonds for a combined $2.0 billion	Approved
2005	CICA	Issue 3	Establish revised limits on political contributions, outline prohibited political contributions, and require public disclosure of campaign expenditures	Defeated
2005	CICA	Issue 4	Establish a state redistricting commission to create legislative districts	Defeated
2005	CICA	Issue No. 2	Authorize absentee voting for all voters	Defeated
2005	CICA	Issue No. 5	Establish a board of nine appointed members to administer statewide elections and oversee the county boards of elections	Defeated
2004	CICA	Issue 1	Establish marriage as a union between one man and one woman	Approved
2003	LRCA	Issue 1	Authorize the issuance of bonds and other financial assistance to support science and technology research and development for the purpose of creating jobs and stimulating economic growth	Defeated
2002	CICA	Issue No. 1	Authorize persons charged with or convicted of illegal possession or use of a drug to choose treatment in lieu of incarceration in certain circumstances	Defeated
2000	LRCA	Issue 1	Authorize the issuance of bonds to finance projects for environmental conservation and revitalization purposes	Approved

1990-1999 Ballot Measures

Year	Type	Title	Description	Result
1999	LRCA	Bonds for Public Schools and Higher Education Institutions Amendment	Authorize the issuance of bonds for educational improvements	Approved
1998	LRCA	Bonds for Public Schools and Higher Education Institutions Amendment	Authorize for the issuance of bonds for public-school districts and institutions of higher education	Defeated
1998	IndISS	Prohibition of Mourning Dove Hunting Initiative	Prohibit the hunting of mourning doves	Defeated
1998	LRSS	Sales Tax Increase for Public Schools and Homestead Relief Measure	Levy a 1% sales to equally fund public schools and provide property tax relief for homesteads	Defeated
1997	VR	Amend Worker's Compensation Law Referendum	Amend Workers' Compensation laws and regulations	Defeated
1997	LRCA	Bail Restrictions for Felony Charges Amendment	Authorize a court to deny bail to a person charged with a felony offense	Approved
1996	CICA	Riverboat Casino Gambling Initiative	Authorize river boat casino gambling in Ohio	Defeated
1995	LRCA	Issue 2	Allow the state to issue up to $2.4 billion in general obligation bonds, including $1.2 billion for local public infrastructure and $1.2 billion for state highways	Approved
1995	LRCA	Limit Gubernatorial Power to Reduce Criminal Sentences Amendment	Limit the governor's authority to reduce criminal sentences as prescribed by law	Approved
1994	LRCA	Crime Victim Rights Amendment	Require that victims of crime be afforded fairness, dignity, and respect in the criminal justice system and appropriate notice, information, access, and protection	Approved
1994	LRCA	Jurisdiction of Death Penalty Appeals Amendment	Remove jurisdiction from the courts of appeals to review death penalty cases and grant direct review by the state Supreme Court	Approved
1994	LRCA	Opportunities for Higher Education Amendment	Authorize the sale of tuition credits to increase higher education opportunities to Ohio residents	Approved
1994	CICA	Prohibit Taxes on Soft Drinks Initiative	Prohibit a wholesale tax on certain beverages and a retail tax on packaging of certain beverages	Approved
1993	LRCA	Bonds for Enhancement of Natural Resources Amendment	Authorize the issuance of bonds to improve parks and recreation areas and enhance Ohio's natural resources	Approved
1992	CICA	Congressional Successive Term Limits Initiative	Limit U.S. Senators from Ohio to two consecutive six-year terms and U.S. Representatives to four consecutive two-year terms	Overturned
1992	Automatic constitutional convention question	Constitutional Convention Question	Hold a constitutional convention	Defeated
1992	CICA	State Executive Officials Successive Term Limits Initiative	Establish two successive terms of four years for certain executive officers	Approved
1992	CICA	State Legislative Successive Term Limits Initiative	Establish successive term limits for state legislative officials	Approved
1992	IndISS	Toxic Chemicals Warning Initiative	Require businesses to label or warn about chemicals linked to cancer, among other changes	Defeated
1990	LRCA	Funding for Housing Assistance Amendment	Allow the state and political subdivisions to provide funds for housing assistance.	Approved
1990	CICA	Licensing of a Casino in Lorain Initiative	Authorize the licensing of a casino resort hotel in the city of Lorain.	Defeated
1990	LRCA	Spousal Continuance for the Homestead Tax Exemption Amendment	Allow spouses of persons receiving a homestead tax exemption to continue receiving it after their spouse's death if certain criteria are met.	Approved

1980-1989 Ballot Measures

Year	Type	Title	Description	Result
1989	LRCA	Lieutenant Governor Vacancies Amendment	Allow the governor to nominate a replacement lieutenant governor in the case of a vacancy and require that both houses of the general assembly approve the nomination before their confirmation.	Approved
1987	LRCA	Issue 2	Allow the state to issue up to $1.2 billion in general obligation bonds to assist local governments in funding public infrastructure projects	Approved
1987	CICA	Selection of Supreme and Appellate Court Judges Initiative	Change the system of selecting state Supreme Court and Appeals Court judges from a direct election system to an appointment system.	Defeated
1987	LRCA	State Lottery Funds for Education Amendment	Require all net proceeds from the state lottery to be used for education.	Approved
1985	LRCA	Bonds Issue for Coal Research and Development Amendment	Issue bonds for coal research and development	Approved
1983	CICA	Minimum Age for Alcohol Consumption Initiative	Raise the minimum age for the consumption of beer to 21 years old	Defeated
1983	CICA	Repeal 1982 Tax Increases Initiative	Repeal all taxes passed since 1982	Defeated
1983	CICA	Supermajority Requirement for Tax Increases Initiative	Require a 3/5ths supermajority in the state legislature to increase taxes.	Defeated
1982	LRCA	Bonds for Low-Cost Housing Amendment	Authorize the state to issue revenue bonds to make financing available for low-cost housing	Approved
1982	CICA	Election of Members of the Public Utilities Commission Initiative	Provide elections for members of the Public Utilities Commission and provide public financing of their campaigns	Defeated
1982	LRCA	Sales Tax Increase to Fund High-Speed Rail Amendment	Authorize the construction of a high-speed rail system and levy a 1% sales tax to fund it	Defeated
1981	CICA	Establishment of Reapportionment and Redistricting Commission Initiative	Establish new methods for establishing general assembly and congressional districts	Defeated
1981	CICA	Private Worker's Compensation Insurance Initiative	Authorize the sale of workers compensation insurance coverage by private insurance companies	Defeated
1980	LRCA	Bonds for Transportation Projects Amendment	Issue bonds for transportation projects.	Defeated
1980	IndISS	Changes to State Taxes Initiative	Change taxes on personal income, real estate, corporations, and personal property.	Defeated
1980	LRCA	Classification of Real Property Amendment	Authorize the Ohio General Assembly to classify real property for tax purposes.	Approved
1980	LRCA	Money for Low-Incoming Housing Amendment	Authorize the state and local governments to borrow money for the purpose of constructing low-income housing.	Defeated
1980	LRCA	Municipal Charter Proposal Delivered to Households or Other Methods Amendment	Require that copies of proposed municipal or county charters be delivered to each household with a registered voter, rather than to each registered voter	Defeated
1980	LRCA	Non-Profit Electric Utilities Amendment	Allow non-profit organizations to become political subdivisions for the purpose of operating electric utilities and establish laws governing such political subdivisions.	Defeated

1970-1979 Ballot Measures

Year	Type	Title	Description	Result
1979	IndISS	Beverage Container Deposit and Pull-Tab Ban Initiative	Require a $0.10 refundable deposit on beverage containers	Defeated
1978	LRCA	Changes to Chartered County Government Amendment	Change the procedures for adopting, amending, and repealing charter forms of county government.	Approved
1978	LRCA	Issue 1	Require the Ohio Ballot Board to write the language for legislative and citizen-initiated ballot measures	Approved
1978	LRCA	Regulations on Prison Labor Amendment	Revise regulations on prison labor and the sale of prison-made products.	Approved
1977	LRCA	Bonds for Low and Moderate Income Housing Amendment	Allow state and local governments to issue bonds for the construction of low and moderate income housing.	Defeated
1977	LRCA	Limits on State Debt Amendment	Revise limitations on state government indebtedness.	Defeated
1977	CICA	Prohibition on the Use of Certain Trapping Devices Initiative	Prohibit the use of leghold traps and other trapping devices that cause prolonged suffering.	Defeated
1977	CICA	Voter Registration and Voting Eligibility Initiative	Allow those who have been registered to vote for at least 30 days to vote in any election and require electors to re-register to vote if they have not voted in four years.	Approved
1976	LRCA	Bonds and Loans for Energy Facilities Amendment	Allow public industrial development bonds and loan guarantee programs for energy facilities	Defeated
1976	LRCA	Declaration of Election Results Amendment	Require the declaration of election results for state executive officers to be at the next regular session of the general assembly.	Approved
1976	LRCA	Estate Taxes and State Debt Amendment	Require at least 50% of estate taxes be returned to their originating political subdivision and require the general assembly raise enough revenue annually to cover the state debt interest	Approved
1976	CICA	Issue 7	Replace the signature requirement for ballot initiatives from a percentage of electors to an absolute number	Defeated
1976	LRCA	Joint Election of Governor and Lieutenant Governor Amendment	Provide that the governor and lieutenant governor be elected on a joint ticket in general elections	Approved
1976	CICA	Hearings for Nuclear Power Plants Initiative	Require public legislative hearings before the creation or expansion of nuclear power plants.	Defeated
1976	LRCA	Payment of Political Subdivisions' Debts Amendment	Require political divisions to make provisions for the payment of debt from taxation.	Defeated
1976	LRCA	Provisions for Imposing Taxes and Exemptions Amendment	Authorize the general assembly to consolidate taxing powers and establish how much of an estate which is exempt from taxation	Approved
1976	LRCA	Railroad Funding Amendment	Provide state and local funds for the construction of rail transportation services.	Defeated
1976	LRCA	Removal of Obsolete and Unnecessary Constitutional Provisions Amendment	Remove certain obsolete and unnecessary constitutional provisions.	Approved
1976	CICA	Representation of the Utility Consumer Initiative	Create the Residential Utility Consumer Action Group to represent the interest of utility users.	Defeated
1976	LRCA	Succession of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor Amendment	Establish rules relating to the succession of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.	Approved
1976	LRCA	Terms of Office and Vacancies Amendment	Establish provisions relating to terms of municipal and county officers and elected official vacancies	Approved
1976	CICA	Utility Rate Limitations Initiative	Set limits on the charged rates for gas and electricity usage.	Defeated
1976	LRCA	Voter Qualifications and Privileges Amendment	Establish provisions relating to the voting age, felony voting rights, and felons running for office	Approved
1975	CICA	Bonds and Sales Tax for Capital Improvements Initiative	Issue bonds and establish a 7/10 of one percent sales and use tax for capital improvements	Defeated
1975	LRCA	Change to Candidate Name Rotation on Ballots Amendment	Remove requirement for ballot-by-ballot candidate name rotation and allowing the legislature to establish a method for ensuring reasonable equality in name placement	Approved
1975	LRCA	Financing of Railroad Organization Amendment	Allow the state and local governments to finance the reorganization of the state's rail systems.	Defeated
1975	CICA	Housing and Nursing Care Assistance Initiative	Authorize political subdivisions to provide assistance for health facilities	Defeated
1975	CICA	Industrial Plant Tax Incentives for Jobs Initiative	Authorize tax incentives to industrial plants to create and preserve jobs	Defeated
1975	LRCA	Regulation of Charity Bingo Amendment	Permit the general assembly to regulate the operation of bingo for charitable purposes	Approved
1975	LRCA	Require Elections for Delegates for National Political Party Conventions Amendment	Require delegates to national conventions of political parties to be elected by voters	Approved
1975	LRCA	Tax Assessment of Outdoor Recreational Land Amendment	Allow land devoted to outdoor reaction to be valued for tax purposes at its current value for recreational use	Defeated
1975	CICA	Transportation Bonds and Gas Tax Initiative	Authorize bonds and the levy of a 9/10 of one cent per gallon gasoline tax for transportation development	Defeated
1974	LRCA	Authorization of Industrial Development Revenue Bonds for Preservation Amendment	Authorize public industrial development revenue bonds for the preservation of existing jobs, environmental sustainability, and electric and gas utility services	Approved
1974	LRCA	Eliminate Superintendent of Public Works Amendment	Repeal the requirement that the governor appoint a Superintendent of Public Works	Approved
1974	LRCA	Homestead Tax Reduction for Disabled Residents Amendment	Permit laws that reduce estate taxes on the homesteads of permanently disabled residents	Approved
1974	LRCA	Issue 1	Equalize the compensation of public officers and members of the general assembly	Defeated
1974	LRCA	Issue 2	Permit compensation increases for public officers who have more than two years left in their term	Defeated
1974	LRCA	Issue 3	Provide for the Ohio Ballot Board and require the Board to prepare language for constitutional amendments	Approved
1973	LRCA	Administration and Organization of the State Courts Amendment	Revise provisions relating to the administration and organization of the state court system.	Approved
1973	LRCA	Administration of the General Assembly Amendment	Modify rules regarding administration, organization, and procedures of the general assembly.	Approved
1973	LRCA	Amendments to Court Rules Amendment	Allow the General Assembly to amend court practices and procedures set by the state Supreme Court.	Defeated
1973	LRCA	Authorization of a State Lottery Amendment	Allow a state lottery and put the funds from it into the state's General Revenue Fund.	Approved
1973	LRCA	Bonds for Vietnam War Veterans Amendment	Authorize up to $300 million in bonds for payments to veterans of the Vietnam War.	Approved
1973	LRCA	Disqualifications for Public Office Amendment	Repeal the provisions that prohibit those convicted of embezzling public funds from holding public office and that require public money that one holds to be disbursed prior to one holding a seat in the General Assembly.	Defeated
1973	LRCA	Income Amount Exempt from Taxation Amendment	Allow for a new amount of income to be exempted from income taxation.	Approved
1973	LRCA	Judicial Compensation Amendment	Allow compensation of judges to be set by law and to not be decreased during a judge's term.	Defeated
1973	LRCA	Supreme Court Commission Amendment	Repeal the appointment of a Supreme Court Commission.	Defeated
1973	LRCA	Taking of Property of Sewer and Water Lines Amendment	Permit the taking of private property for sewer and water lines prior to the payment for such property.	Defeated
1973	LRCA	Tax Assessments of Agricultural Lands Amendment	Permit agricultural land to be evaluated for its agricultural use when assessed for tax purposes.	Approved
1972	Automatic constitutional convention question	Constitutional Convention Question	Hold a convention to revise, alter or amend the constitution	Defeated
1972	CICA	Voter Approval of Income Tax Levies and Increases Initiative	Require any income tax levy or increase passed by the General Assembly to be approved by a majority of voters.	Defeated
1971	LRCA	Publication of Ballot Measures in Newspapers	Authorize the state to publish copies of ballot measures in newspapers, rather than sending copies to voters	Approved
1970	LRCA	Homestead Tax Reduction for Seniors Amendment	Reduce homestead taxes for those 65 years of age and older.	Approved
1970	LRCA	Newspaper Notice of Municipal Charter Amendments Amendment	Allow notices for municipal charters to be published in newspapers instead of requiring them to be mailed.	Approved
1970	LRCA	Residency Requirement for Voters Amendment	Reduce the voter residency requirement from one year to six months.	Approved

1960-1969 Ballot Measures

Year	Type	Title	Description	Result
1969	LRCA	Elimination of Special Elections for State Office Vacancies with Less Than One Year Remaining Amendment	Eliminate short-term elections of state officers to fill vacancies when the remainder of the term is less than one year.	Approved
1969	LRCA	Lower the Voting Age to 19 Amendment	Lower the voting age from 21 to 19	Defeated
1968	LRCA	Bonds for Transportation Improvements Amendment	Issue up to $500,000,000 in bond for transportation improvements.	Approved
1968	LRCA	Homestead Tax Exemption Amendment	Establish an exemption from the homestead tax for homeowners 65 years of age and older.	Defeated
1968	LRCA	Legislative Authority Over Funds from Sale or Disposal of State-Granted Educational and Religious Lands Amendment	Allow the general assembly to decide how funds from the disposition of state educational and religious property be spent.	Approved
1968	LRCA	Operation of the Judicial System Amendment	Reorganize the judicial system and revise provisions relating to the operation of the judicial system.	Approved
1968	LRCA	Vacancies in the State House of Representatives Amendment	Establish a method for filling vacant state House of Representative seats	Approved
1967	LRCA	Creation of the Ohio Bond Commission Amendment	Create the Ohio Bond Commission.	Defeated
1967	LRCA	State Legislative Redistricting Amendment	Create legislative districts and establish procedures for apportioning such districts.	Approved
1967	LRCA	State Legislative Redistricting Amendment	Apportion the general assembly into single-member state legislative districts and establish a method for apportioning districts every ten years.	Defeated
1965	LRCA	Creation of a Local Urban Service Authority Amendment	Allow electors to vote on the creation of a local Urban Service Authority.	Defeated
1965	LRCA	Funds for Industrial Development Amendment	Guarantee funds for industrial development.	Approved
1965	LRCA	Guarantees of High Education Loans Amendment	Provide guarantees of loans for higher education.	Approved
1965	LRCA	House of Representatives Redistricting Amendment	Provide for the apportionment of the House of Representatives	Defeated
1965	LRCA	Issuance of Development Bonds Amendment	Authorize the state to borrow up to $290,000,000 and issue state bonds for development purposes until December 31, 1970	Approved
1965	LRCA	Judges Serving on Multiple Courts Amendment	Authorize judges in counties with a population of less than 40,000 to serve on more than one court	Approved
1965	IndISS	Tax Increase for School Foundation Program Amendment	Recalculate the School Foundation Program and guarantee loans to residents attending institutions of higher education	Defeated
1964	LRCA	Debt Limit Increase for Highways Amendment	Raise the public debt limit to $500,000 to permit the state to issue bonds for highways	Approved
1963	LRCA	Debt Limit Increase for Public Improvements Amendment	Raise the public debt limit by $250,000 to permit the state to issue bonds for public improvements	Approved
1962	CICA	Limit of State Commercial Powers on Sundays Initiative	Limit the power of the state to limit the sale of goods on Sundays	Defeated
1961	LRCA	Continuity of Government in Emergencies Amendment	Provide for means of a continuity of governmental operation in emergencies caused by enemy attack	Approved
1961	LRCA	Methods for Filling General Assembly Vacancies Amendment	Provide for a different method of filling vacancies in the General Assembly	Approved
1961	LRCA	Militia Age of Service and Use in Disasters Amendment	Extend the age limits for serving in the state militia to 17-67 and provide that the governor can call forth the militia during a disaster	Approved
1961	LRCA	Senate Advisement and Consent for Gubernatorial Appointments Amendment	Allow the Ohio State Senate to advise and consent to any appointments made by the Ohio Governor.[	Approved

1950-1959 Ballot Measures

Year	Type	Title	Description	Result
1959	LRCA	Judges for the Court of Appeals Amendment	Allow the Ohio General Assembly to add judges to the Ohio Court of Appeals when needed.	Approved
1959	LRCA	Sale of Water and Sewage Services Amendment	Remove the limitation on the sale of water and sewage services by municipalities outside their corporate limits.	Approved
1958	LRCA	Formation of Metropolitan Federations Amendment	Permit the electors of Ohio counties to form metropolitan federations.	Defeated
1958	CICA	Right-to-Work Law Initiative	Forbid labor contracts from establishing union membership as a condition for achieving or continuing employment.	Defeated
1957	LRCA	Allow Appointment of Unqualified Electors to State Office Amendment	Allow the appointment of people to state office who do not have the qualifications necessary to be an elector in Ohio	Defeated
1957	LRCA	Form and Powers of County Government Amendment	Allow electors in counties to approve changes relating to the form and powers of their county government.	Approved
1957	LRCA	Presidential Election Voting Eligibility Amendment	Allow new residents of Ohio who do not meet the yearlong residency requirement to vote for president and vice president under certain criteria.	Approved
1956	LRCA	Compensation for Veterans of the Korean Conflict Amendment	Allow for the issuance of up to $30,000,000 in bonds for providing compensation to those who served in the Korean conflict.	Approved
1956	LRCA	Senate Term Length Amendment	Establish four-year terms for members of the Ohio state Senate.	Approved
1955	LRCA	Bonds for Infrastructure Amendment	Issue up to $150,000,000 in bonds for infrastructure projects.	Approved
1955	LRCA	Changes to Judicial Salaries Amendment	Allow the salaries of certain judicial officers to be increased or decreased during their term of office.	Defeated
1955	LRCA	Changes to Officers' Salaries Amendment	Allow the salary of any government officer to be changed during their term of office.	Defeated
1955	IndISS	Increase of Unemployment Benefits Initiative	Increase unemployment benefits.	Defeated
1954	LRCA	Four-Year Terms for the State Legislature Amendment	Establish a four-year term for members of the state Senate and House of Representatives.	Defeated
1954	LRCA	Term Limits for Executive Officials Amendment	Establish four year term limits for certain executive officials and limit the governor to two successive terms.	Approved
1953	LRCA	Bonds for the Highway System Amendment	Issue up to $500,000,000 in bonds for the highway system.	Approved
1953	LRCA	Creation of State Board of Education Amendment	Create a State Board of Education with the ability to appoint a Superintendent of Public Instruction.	Approved
1953	LRCA	Removal of Constitutional Section Regarding Militia Officers Amendment	Repeal a section of the state constitution relating to the election of militia officers.	Approved
1953	LRCA	Removal of Obsolete Provision Relating to Holding Elective Office Amendment	Remove an obsolete constitutional provisions relating to holding an elective office.	Approved
1953	LRCA	Remove Racial Qualification for State Militia Service Amendment	Provide that all male citizens, without reference to race, are eligible for militia duty	Approved
1953	LRCA	Repeal of Obsolete Judicial Constitutional Provisions Amendment	Repeal obsolete constitutional provisions relating to the courts.	Approved
1953	LRCA	Repeal of World War I Veteran Bonus Amendment	Repeal the World War i veterans bonus from the state constitution.	Approved
1953	LRCA	Repeal State Constitutional Language Conflicting with U.S. Constitution Amendment	Eliminate language in the Ohio Constitution at conflict with the U.S. Constitution	Approved
1953	LRCA	Women's Eligibility for Office Provision Removal Amendment	Remove a provision restricting the eligibility of women to hold offices from the state constitution.	Approved
1952	Automatic constitutional convention question	Constitutional Convention Initiative	Call for a state constitutional convention	Defeated
1951	LRCA	County Probate Judges Amendment	Allow for counties to have more than one probate judge.	Approved

1940-1949 Ballot Measures

Year	Type	Title	Description	Result
1949	LRCA	County Probate Judges Amendment	Allow counties to have more than one probate judge.	Defeated
1949	IndISS	Manufacture and Sale of Colored Oleomargarine Initiative	Allow the manufacture and sale of colored oleomargarine.	Approved
1949	CICA	Voting for Individual Candidates Initiative	Require voters to individually select the candidates they wanted to vote for and remove the "straight ticket" option from ballots.	Approved
1947	LRCA	Adjustment of Terms and Compensation of Probate Judges Amendment	Establish six-year terms for judge of the probate court and change provisions relating to their compensation	Approved
1947	LRCA	Bonds for Payments to World War II Veterans Amendment	Issue bonds to fund payments to World War II veterans and their survivors.	Approved
1947	LRCA	Increase to the Membership of the Sinking Fund Commission Amendment	Increase the membership of the state Sinking Fund Commission to include other executive officers	Approved
1947	CICA	Use of Motor Vehicle License and Gas Taxes Initiative	Prohibit the expenditure of money from motor vehicle license taxes and gasoline taxes on uses other than highways and related purposes.	Approved
1944	LRCA	Revision of Judicial Jurisdiction and Procedures Amendment	Revise judicial procedures and jurisdictions and provide means for laws to be passed relative to the qualifications of court of appeals judges	Approved
1944	LRCA	Supreme Court Temporary Judges Amendment (1944)	Allow appeals court judges to temporarily stand in place of absent supreme court judges if they are unable to serve	Approved
1942	LRCA	Methods for Appointing Judicial Vacancies Amendment	Provide methods for the appointment of vacant judge positions	Approved

1930-1939 Ballot Measures

Year	Type	Title	Description	Result
1939	VR	Adjustment of Civil Service Provisions Referendum	Adjust civil service commission provisions and benefits	Defeated
1939	CICA	Establishment of Old Age Pensions Initiative	Provide pensions to those over the age of 60	Defeated
1939	LRCA	Establishment of State Board of Education Amendment	Replace the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction with the State Board of Education	Defeated
1939	CICA	Initiative and Referendum Signature Requirements Initiative	Replace the signature requirements based on electors with flat signature requirements - 100,000 for constitutional amendments and 50,000 for statutes	Defeated
1938	CICA	Judicial Appointment Initiative	Provide for the original appointment of judges to the supreme court and establishing a method for voters to adopt or rescind appointment procedures for lower courts	Defeated
1936	CICA	Prohibition of the Taxation of Food Initiative	Prohibit the levy or collection of excise taxes on the sale or purchase of food for human consumption	Approved
1936	LRCA	Stockholder Liability Amendment	Eliminate the liability of individual stockholders of corporations authorized to receive money or deposits	Approved
1934	CICA	Gas Tax Initiative	Require motor vehicle fuel excise taxes on public thoroughfares be measured by a sum per gallon and limiting the amount to three cents per gallon	Defeated
1934	CICA	Motor Vehicle Tax Initiative	Prohibit motor vehicles from being taxed as property on which license taxes have already been imposed	Defeated
1933	CICA	County Home Rule Ability Initiative	Allow for county home rule.	Approved
1933	CICA	Mill Tax Limitation on Real Estate Initiative	Establish a ten mill tax limitation on real estate.	Approved
1933	IndISS	Old Age Pensions Initiative	Provide pensions to aged persons under certain circumstances.	Approved
1933	LRCA	Repeal State Alcohol Prohibition Amendment	Repeal the state prohibition of alcohol.	Approved
1932	Automatic constitutional convention question	Constitutional Convention Question	Hold a convention to revise, alter or amend the Constitution	Defeated
1931	LRCA	Bonds for Welfare Institutions Amendment	Authorize up to $7,500,000 in bonds for welfare institutions.	Defeated
1930	LRCA	Income and Inheritance Taxes to Local Jurisdictions Amendment	Require at least 50% of income and inheritance taxes be returned to the local jurisdiction where the income or inheritance tax comes from.	Approved

1920-1929 Ballot Measures

Year	Type	Title	Description	Result
1929	LRCA	Real Property Taxation Amendment	Authorize classification of property for tax purposes and provide for a 15 mill tax limit on real estate.	Approved
1928	CICA	Changes to Judicial Compensation Initiative	Apply changes to judicial compensation to all judges, regardless of if they are already holding office.	Defeated
1927	VR	Compensation for Justices of the Peace and Mayors Referendum	Establish fees of Justices of the Peace and Constables	Defeated
1927	IndISS	State Board of Chiropractic Examiners Initiative	Establish a State Board of Chiropractic Examiners.	Defeated
1926	CICA	Elimination of the Compulsory Primary Election for Delegates Initiative	Eliminate the compulsory primary election for delegates to national political party conventions.	Defeated
1926	LRCA	Special Property Tax Assessments for Public Improvement Projects Amendment	Authorize municipalities to adjust assessments on property that benefits from public improvements to pay for public improvements.	Defeated
1925	LRCA	Indebtedness Limitations for Political Subdivisions Amendment	Place restrictions on the incurring of indebtedness by political subdivisions.	Defeated
1925	LRCA	Taxation of Real Estate, Tangible Property, and Intangible Property Amendment	Establish uniform taxation rules on all real estate and tangible property and establish taxation on intangible property.	Defeated
1925	LRCA	Term Lengths for Executive and Elective County Officials Amendment	Establish term lengths for a variety of executive and elective county offices.	Defeated
1923	LRCA	Industrial Commission Authority Amendment	Change the Workmen's Compensation Law to increase the authority of the Industrial Commission.	Approved
1923	VR	Property Tax Assessment and Office of the Elective Assessor Referendum	Establish the county as the unit for tax assessment of personal property and abolish the elected assessor.	Defeated
1923	LRCA	Publication of Ballot Measures in Newspapers	Authorize the state to publish copies of ballot measures in newspapers, rather than sending copies to voters	Defeated
1923	LRCA	Remove White Racial Qualification from Voter Requirements Amendment	Remove "white male" from the voter eligibility provision of the state constitution.	Approved
1923	IndISS	State Old Age Pension Initiative	Establish a state old age pension, the State Pension Commission, and the County Boards of Welfare and establish qualifications for the state old age pension.	Defeated
1923	VR	Tax Levies, Bond Issuance, and Local Budgets Referendum	Amend laws for levying taxes and issuing bonds and create a budget system for local expenditures.	Defeated
1922	CICA	Allow Home Consumption of Alcohol Initiative	Allow for personal use of alcohol in homes	Defeated
1922	CICA	Debt Limits for Political Subdivisions Initiative	Establish debt limits for political subdivisions.	Defeated
1922	CICA	Tax Limitations Initiative	Limit tax rates to 15 mills, allow additional levies with voter approval, and limit the state tax rate to one mill.	Defeated
1921	LRCA	Bonds for World War I Veterans Amendment	Allow for the issuance of bonds for paying World War I veterans $10 of each month of their service.	Approved
1921	LRCA	Establishment of a Poll Tax Amendment	Allow the General Assembly to establish a poll tax.	Defeated
1921	LRCA	Senate Redistricting Amendment	Reapportion the Senate into 26 districts	Defeated
1920	VR	State Alcohol Prohibition Referendum	Establish the state prohibition of alcohol and provide for the enforcement of such prohibition.	Approved

1910-1919 Ballot Measures

Year	Type	Title	Description	Result
1919	LRCA	Classification of Property for Taxation Amendment	Establish a system of classification of property for taxation purposes.	Defeated
1919	CICA	Definition of Intoxicating Liquor to Exclude Certain Beverages Initiative	Define intoxicating liquor as not including beverages with 2.75% or less alcohol by weight	Defeated
1919	VR	Ratification of Eighteenth Amendment (Prohibition) of U.S. Constitution Referendum	Uphold the state legislature’s ratification of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which established federal prohibition on alcohol	Defeated
1919	CICA	Repeal State Alcohol Prohibition Initiative	Repeal the statewide prohibition on alcohol	Defeated
1919	VR	State Alcohol Prohibition Referendum	Establish the state prohibition of alcohol and provide for the enforcement of such prohibition.	Defeated
1918	CICA	Alcohol Prohibition Initiative	Prohibit the sale and manufacture of intoxicating liquors	Approved
1918	LRCA	Laws Against the Double Taxation of Property Amendment	Allow for the passage of a law that prevents double taxation resulting for the taxation of both real estate and the mortgage on the real estate	Approved
1918	CICA	Property Classification for Taxation Purposes Initiative	Allow the General Assembly to classify property for taxation purposes	Approved
1918	CICA	Veto Referendums on Legislative Ratification of Federal Constitutional Amendments Initiative	Allow veto referendums on the General Assembly's actions regarding the ratification of federal constitutional amendments	Approved
1917	CICA	Alcohol Prohibition Initiative	Prohibit the sale and manufacture for sale of alcohol	Defeated
1917	VR	Women's Suffrage in Presidential Elections Referendum	Provide for women's suffrage in presidential elections	Defeated
1915	CICA	Alcohol Prohibition Initiative	Prohibit the sale and manufacture for sale of alcohol	Defeated
1915	VR	Congressional District Apportionment Referendum	Apportion Ohio into congressional districts based on the 13th U.S. census	Defeated
1915	CICA	County Official Term Limits Initiative	Fix the terms of all county officers to four years and provide for their quadrennial election.	Defeated
1915	LRCA	Exempting Bonds from Taxation Amendment	Exempt bonds issued on or after January 1, 1916 from taxation.	Defeated
1915	VR	License to Transport to Alcohol Referendum	Establish a license to transport alcohol	Defeated
1915	CICA	Prohibit Re-Submitting Twice Rejected Constitutional Amendments for Six Years Initiative	Prohibit the submission of any constitutional amendment that has been rejected more than once, unless six years have passed	Defeated
1914	CICA	Alcohol Prohibition Initiative	Prohibit alcohol	Defeated
1914	CICA	Home Rule on Alcohol Initiative	Provide home rule on alcohol	Approved
1914	CICA	Tax Rate and Property Classification Initiative	Provide a limitation on the tax rate and provide for the classification of property for tax purposes	Defeated
1914	CICA	Women's Suffrage Amendment	Provide for women's suffrage in state constitution	Defeated
1913	LRCA	Eligibility of Women for Appointment to Commissions Amendment	Grant women the right to serve as members of boards or in positions in institutions affecting or caring for women and children	Approved
1913	LRCA	Municipal Bonds Tax Exemption Amendment	Provide tax exemptions for city, village, hamlet, township, road district, and school bonds	Defeated
1913	LRCA	Short Ballot for County and Township Officers Amendment	Authorize laws to be passed for the election or appointment of county and township officers	Defeated
1913	LRCA	Short Ballot for State Officers Amendment	List the governor and lieutenant governor on the ballot and grant them the power to appoint members of the executive department	Defeated
1913	CICA	Small Legislature Initiative	Limit the legislature to 50 Representatives and 22 Senators	Defeated
1913	IndISS	Transportation of Alcohol to Areas Where the Sale of Alcohol is Prohibited Initiative	Prohibit the transportation of alcohol to areas where the sale of alcohol is prohibited	Defeated
1912	CCRCA	Abolition of Justice of the Peace in Certain Cities Amendment	Abolish the position of justice of the peace for certain cities	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Abolition of Prison Contract Labor Amendment	Abolish prison contract labor	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Abolition of the Death Penalty Amendment	Abolish the death penalty	Defeated
1912	CCRCA	Additional Removal Process for Officials Accused of Misconduct or Moral Turpitude Amendment	Require the legislature to pass laws allowing for the prompt removal of public officials following a complaint and hearing for misconduct or other legal causes	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Allow Lawsuits Against the State Amendment	Provide that individuals can civil suit against the state	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Bond Limits for Inter-County Roads Amendment	Raise the bond debt limit for inter-county roads	Defeated
1912	CCRCA	Common Pleas Judges Amendment	Establish a common pleas judge for each county	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Depositions and Commentary in Criminal Trials Amendment	Allow depositions in criminal trials and allow commentary on a defendant's failure to testify in their trial	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Eight-Hour Workday for Public Works Amendment	Establish an eight-hour work day for public works employees	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Elimination of the Board of Public Works Amendment	Eliminate the board of public works	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Holding of Office by Women Amendment	Allow women to hold certain offices	Defeated
1912	CCRCA	Initiative and Referendum Process Amendment	Create an initiative and referendum process	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Insurance Regulations Amendment	Establish regulations on insurance	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Investigations into Houses of the General Assembly Amendment	Allow each house of the general assembly to provide for its own investigations	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Jury Requirements for Civil Verdicts Amendment	Require a 3/4 majority of a jury for civil verdicts	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Licensing of Liquor Traffic Amendment	Establish licenses for the trafficking of liquor	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Liens for Mechanics and Builders' Payments Amendment	Allow liens to be placed on property so that mechanics and builders get paid	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Limits on Contempt Hearings and Injunctions for Labor Cases Amendment	Establish limits on contempt hearings and injunctions in labor cases	Defeated
1912	CCRCA	Limits on Wrongful Death Damages Amendment	Prohibit limitations on wrongful death damages	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Lower Legislative Veto Override Threshold Amendment	Lower the threshold for overriding a governor's veto from a two-thirds (66.67%) vote to a three-fifths (60%) vote of all legislators in each house	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Municipal Home Rule Amendment	Allow for municipal home rule	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Organization of Boards of Education Amendment	Establish organization for boards of education	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Primary Election and Delegate Selection Requirements Amendment	Require primary elections for certain state and local offices	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Promotion of Natural Resources Conservation Amendment	Promote the conservation of natural resources	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Purposes for Special Sessions of the General Assembly Amendment	Allow the governor to limit the acceptable purposes for special sessions of the General Assembly	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Registration and Warranties for Land Titles Amendment	Establish land title registration and warranties	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Regulations on Corporations and the Sale of Personal Property Amendment	Establish regulations on corporations and the sale of personal property	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Regulations on Expert Testimony in Criminal Cases Amendment	Establish regulations on expert testimony in criminal cases	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Regulations on Outdoor Advertising Amendment	Establish regulations on outdoor advertising	Defeated
1912	CCRCA	Remove White Racial Qualification from Voter Requirements Amendment	Remove the word "white" from voter qualifications	Defeated
1912	CCRCA	Reorganization of the State Court System Amendment	Reorganize the state court system	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Schedule of When Amendments Take Effect Amendment	Establish a schedule of when various constitutional amendments take effect	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Simple Majority Vote for Constitutional Amendments Measure	Establish procedures for revising the state constitution	Approved
1912	CCRCA	State and Local Civil Service Appointments and Promotions Amendment	Provide that state and local civil service appointments and promotions must be based on merit, fitness, and competitive examinations	Approved
1912	CCRCA	State Printing Amendment	Establish regulations on printing of state items	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Stockholder Liability and Inspections of Private Banks Amendment	Remove double liability for stockholders and provide for the inspection of private banks	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Superintendent of Public Instruction Amendment	Replace the Commissioner of Common Schools with the Superintendent of Public Instruction	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Taxation and Bond Provisions Amendment	Make several changes to tax and bond provisions of the Ohio Constitution	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Voting Machine Use Amendment	Allow the use of voting machines for elections	Defeated
1912	CCRCA	Women's Suffrage Amendment	Provide for women's suffrage in the state constitution	Defeated
1912	CCRCA	Worker Labor and Wage Laws Amendment	Establish laws relating to the welfare of employees, including provisions relating to minimum wage and work hours	Approved
1912	CCRCA	Workers' Compensation System Amendment	Establish a workers' compensation system	Approved
1910	LRCCQ	Constitutional Convention Question	Hold a state constitutional convention to revise or amend the Ohio Constitution	Approved

Analysis

Ballotpedia completed an inventory of Ohio ballot measures from 1910 to 2025. Ohioans have decided on 307 ballot measures placed on the ballot through citizen initiatives and referrals by the Ohio State Legislature. The types of measures decided included initiated constitutional amendments, indirect initiated state statutes, veto referendums, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, legislatively referred state statutes, and constitutional convention questions. One hundred and seventy (170) measures were approved, and 137 measures were defeated.

The inventory of Ohio statewide ballot measures is part of Ballotpedia's Historical Ballot Measure Factbook, which will document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States. This ongoing research effort will provide an unparalleled resource for researchers, reporters, and the voting public on how ballot measures have evolved, the issues they've covered, and the role they have played in our civic life.

Notable topics

Check out this episode of Ballotpedia's On the Ballot: "Ohio’s Ballot Measure Legacy: Constitutional Conventions, Prohibition, and Policy Shifts"

Notable topics appearing on the Ohio ballot include alcohol and direct democracy, among others:

• The Ohio Constitutional Convention of 1912 referred 42 constitutional amendments to the ballot, which voters decided on September 3, 1912. Amendments included the initiative and referendum process, primary elections, labor regulations, women's suffrage, and others. Former President Theodore Roosevelt spoke at the constitutional convention, saying, "I believe in the initiative and the referendum, which should be used not to destroy representative government, but to correct it when ever it becomes misrepresentative."

• Voters decided on 13 ballot measures related to the ballot measure process in Ohio.
  • In 1912, voters approved constitutional amendments establishing the initiative and referendum process and another requiring a simple majority vote for constitutional amendments.
  • In 1915, voters rejected a ballot measure to prohibit the resubmission of a constitutional amendment rejected twice unless six years had passed.
  • In 1918, voters approved a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment to allow veto referendums on legislative ratification of federal constitutional amendments. This power was exercised in 1919 when voters overturned the legislature's ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
  • In 1923, voters rejected a constitutional amendment authorizing the state to publish copies of ballot measures in newspapers, rather than requiring the state to send copies through the mail or otherwise distribute copies to voters. Voters approved this change with a constitutional amendment in 1971.
  • Voters were asked to change the signature requirements for ballot initiatives twice—in 1939 and 1976. Both were rejected.
  • In 1974, voters approved a constitutional amendment to establish the Ohio Ballot Board, including requiring the board to prepare language for constitutional amendments. In 1978, voters approved an amendment that provided for the board to prepare the language for all state ballot measures.
  • In 2008, voters approved a constitutional amendment to change the signature deadline for initiatives from 90 days before the election to 125 days before the election.
  • In 2023, voters rejected Issue 1, which would have increased the vote threshold for constitutional amendments to 60%.

• There were 16 ballot measures related to alcohol, 15 of which appeared on the ballot between 1912 and 1933 and were designed to either prohibit or permit alcohol. There was also a measure in 1983, which voters rejected, that would have set the minimum alcohol consumption age at 21 in the state constitution

• In 1958, voters rejected a ballot initiative to adopt a right-to-work law.

• In 1976, voters approved a constitutional amendment providing that the lieutenant governor and governor run as a joint ticket in general elections.

• Voters adopted congressional term limits in 1992; however, in U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states cannot impose term limits on members of Congress.

• In 1994, voters approved a constitutional amendment to establish specific constitutional rights for crime victims. These rights were expanded when voters approved Marsy's Law in 2017.

• Voters rejected a marijuana legalization ballot initiative in 2015, then approved one in 2023.

• In 2023, Ohio became the fourth state where voters approved a constitutional amendment to provide for a state constitutional right to abortion.

Statistics

Closest and widest margins

Of the 307 ballot measures, seven were decided by less than a percentage point of the vote. The top five closest measures are below:

Closest vote margins for Ohio statewide ballot measures, 1910-2024
Measure	Year	Yes votes		No votes		Vote margin	Outcome
		#	%	#	%
Ratification of Federal Prohibition Referendum	1919	499,971	49.98%	500,450	50.02%	0.05%	d
Militia Age of Service and Use in Disasters Amendment	1961	947,130	50.06%	944,705	49.94%	0.13%	a
County Probate Judges Amendment	1949	874,291	49.93%	876,647	50.07%	0.13%	d
Regulations on Outdoor Advertising Amendment	1912	261,361	49.90%	262,440	50.10%	0.21%	d
Bond Limits for Inter-County Roads Amendment	1912	272,564	49.82%	274,582	50.18%	0.37%	d

The following five measures had the widest vote margins by percentage:

Widest vote margins for Ohio statewide ballot measures, 1910-2024
Measure	Year	Yes votes		No votes		Vote margin	Outcome
		#	%	#	%
Constitutional Convention Question	1910	693,263	91.10%	67,718	8.90%	82.20%	a
Spousal Continuance for the Homestead Tax Exemption Amendment	1990	2,967,935	88.84%	372,950	11.16%	77.67%	a
Transportation Bonds and Gas Tax Initiative	1975	439,041	16.00%	2,304,854	84.00%	68.00%	d
Issue 1, Marsy's Law Crime Victim Rights Initiative	2017	1,921,172	82.59%	404,957	17.41%	65.18%	a
Homestead Tax Reduction for Disabled Residents Amendment	1974	2,266,355	82.14%	492,813	17.86%	64.28%	a

Ohio ballot measure topics

Ohio ballot measures have addressed 67 unique topics with some addressing multiple topics in one measure. The top 10 most common topics addressed are:

1. Taxes (43 measures)
2. Bond issues (38 measures)
3. State judiciary (31 measures)
4. Elections and campaigns (28 measures)
5. County and municipal governance (22 measures)
6. Property (20 measures)
7. Administration of government measures (19 measures)
8. Alcohol (18 measures)
9. State legislatures measures (17 measures)
10. State executive official measures (15 measures)

By the decade

The average number of measures per decade was 26, and the average number of measures approved per decade was 14.

The decade with the most ballot measures was the 1910s, which featured 70 ballot measures. Forty-one measures (58.57%) were approved, and 29 (41.43%) were defeated. In 1910, voters approved a measure to hold a constitutional convention to revise the state constitution. The Ohio Constitutional Convention of 1912 referred 42 constitutional amendments to voters in 1912, including the one that created the initiative and referendum process.

The decade that had the highest approval rate was the 1940s, which featured 10 measures—nine (90%) were approved, and one (10%) were defeated. The decade with the lowest approval rating was the 1920s. The decade featured 22 ballot measures—five (22.73%) were approved and 17 (77.27%) were defeated.

By type

See also: Types of ballot measures in Ohio

There are seven different types of ballot measures in Ohio. Legislatively referred constitutional amendments have appeared on the ballot the most number of times (157). Constitutional convention referrals had the highest success rate, with 81% of the 42 measures approved by voters. Veto referendums had the lowest success rate, with 15.38% of the 13 measures approved by voters.

Legislatively referred measures have had better success at the ballot box than citizen-initiated measures. Legislatively referred measures were approved 69.42% of the time, as compared to 26% for ballot initiatives.

Background

Citizen-initiated ballot measures

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

In Ohio, the number of signatures needed to place a measure on the ballot is based on the total number of votes cast for the governor in the preceding general election.

The following are the requirements for the types of citizen-initiated measures in Ohio:

• initiated constitutional amendment (ICA): 10 percent of the votes cast for governor
• direct initiated state statute (ISS): 6 percent of the votes cast for governor
• indirect initiated state statute (IISS): 3 percent of the votes cast for governor
• veto referendum (VR): 6 percent of the votes cast for governor

Legislatively referred ballot measures

In Ohio, the state legislature has the power to refer constitutional amendments and state statutes to the ballot. A 60% vote is required during one legislative session for the Ohio State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot. According to Article II, Section 26 of the Ohio Constitution, the General Assembly may refer a state statute to voters that relates to public schools.

See also

• List of Arizona ballot measures
• Laws governing ballot measures in Arizona
• Laws governing the initiative process in Arizona