Ohio Non-Profit Electric Utilities Amendment (June 1980)

Ohio Non-Profit Electric Utilities Amendment
Election date June 3, 1980
Topic Utility policy
Status Defeated
Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment	Origin State legislature

Ohio Non-Profit Electric Utilities Amendment was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Ohio on June 3, 1980. It was defeated.

A “yes” vote supported allowing non-profit organizations to become political subdivisions for the purpose of operating electric utilities and establishing laws governing such political subdivisions.

A “no” vote opposed allowing non-profit organizations to become political subdivisions for the purpose of operating electric utilities and establishing laws governing such political subdivisions.

Election results

Ohio Non-Profit Electric Utilities Amendment
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		793,256	41.36%
No		1,124,596	58.64%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Non-Profit Electric Utilities Amendment was as follows:

“

To adopt Section 14 of Article VIII of the Ohio Constitution. This proposed amendment: Allows public financing of electric generating facilities by allowing, through legislative action, nonprofit corporations to become political subdivisions of the state to operate electric utilities. The electric power produced by such political subdivisions shall be sold at wholesale rates to municipalities for their own use or for sale at retail. Excess power may be sold to any other electric utility at wholesale, with Ohio utilities given first preference. Permits the legislature to pass laws: (a) regulating such political subdivisions and their operations, (b) limiting adverse effects upon other electric utilities and preserving fair competitive relationships, and (c) allowing such political subdivisions to be taxed. Allows such political subdivisions to issue bonds to finance, acquire, and operate their facilities. Tax money shall not be pledged, but may be used, for the payment of the bonds. Prohibits these political subdivisions from using the authority of the state to take over any property of any existing electric companies. Exempts the bonds, agreements, payments, and sales of such political subdivisions from Ohio constitutional limitations relating to debt, lending credit, and municipal corporation ownership of a utility and sale of its surplus electric power. If adopted, this amendment shall take immediate effect.  Shall the proposed amendment be adopted?

”

Path to the ballot

See also: Amending the Ohio Constitution

A 60% vote is required during one legislative session for the Ohio State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on 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.

See also

1980 Measures

• 1980 Measures
• Utility policy on the ballot
• 1980 legislative sessions

Ohio

• Ohio ballot measures
• Ohio ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• Toledo Blade, "Ballot Language, Explanations, Arguments, and Resolutions for Amendments to the Ohio Constitution Proposed by the General Assembly to be Submitted to the Voters at the Primary Election, June 3, 1980," May 26, 1980