Ohio Representation of the Utility Consumer Initiative (1976)

Ohio Representation of the Utility Consumer Initiative
Election date November 2, 1976
Topic Utility policy
Status Defeated
Type Initiated constitutional amendment	Origin Citizens

Ohio Representation of the Utility Consumer Initiative was on the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment in Ohio on November 2, 1976. It was defeated.

A “yes” vote supported creating the Residential Utility Consumer Action Group to represent the interest of utility users.

A “no” vote opposed creating the Residential Utility Consumer Action Group to represent the interest of utility users.

Election results

Ohio Representation of the Utility Consumer Initiative
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		1,092,781	29.94%
No		2,557,265	70.06%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Representation of the Utility Consumer Initiative was as follows:

“

To adopt new Article XX, Ohio Constitution Relative to providing for representation of residential utility consumers in utility regulatory actions affecting their interests. The proposed amendment would provide: For a non-profit membership corporation known as the Residential Utility Consumer Action Group (RUCAG) with certain powers and duties, including representation of the interests of residential utility consumers in various utility proceedings.  For certain controls on public utilities, their officers and employees, and on RUCAG  For voluntary membership in RUCAG, contingent upon payment of an annual membership fee of at lest 56; for collection of membership fees; and for RUCAG to intervene in utility regulatory proceedings and in judicial review of such proceedings; to force the initiation or completion of utility regulator proceedings; to conduct investigations; and to require the production of information.  That RUCAG must reimburse a utility for reasonable accounting and check-off expenses for collecting membership fees, although reimbursement of expenses may be deferred until one year after the firs election and installation of trustees.  For RUCAG to be run by a board of trustees and for the qualification, election, campaign procedures, duties, and terms of office of such board. It also provides for an initial board of trustees to represent consumers and for the operation of such board until the first election.  For filing vacancies on RUCAG's board of trustees; for all meetings, reports, financial data, and studies of RUCAG to be open to the public; and for removal of any member of the board by petition of the members of RUCAG who voted from his district in the last election.  That board members will be bonded and are entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses in the performance of their duties. Complaints which are non-frivolous shall be forwarded to the appropriate regulatory agency which must keep RUCAG informed of actions taken. RUCAG's membership list must be available to members for use consistent with the objectives of RUCAG described in this amendment.  Penalties for violation of any provision of the amendment. Shall the proposed amendment be adopted?

”

Path to the ballot

See also: Signature requirements for ballot measures in Ohio

An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.

In Ohio, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Ohio also requires initiative sponsors to submit 1,000 signatures with the initial petition application. Ohio has a signature distribution requirement, which requires that signatures be gathered from at least 44 of Ohio's 88 counties. Petitioners must gather signatures equal to a minimum of half the total required percentage of the gubernatorial vote in each of the 44 counties. Petitions are allowed to circulate for an indefinite period of time. Signatures are due 125 days prior to the general election that proponents want the initiative on.

See also

1976 Measures

• 1976 Measures
• Utility policy on the ballot
• 1976 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, Arguments, and Full Text of Amendments to the Ohio Constitution Proposed by Initiative Petition to be Submitted to the Voters at the General Election November 2, 1976," October 21, 1976