Ohio Utility Rate Limitations Initiative (1976)

Ohio Utility Rate Limitations Initiative
Election date November 2, 1976
Topic Utility policy
Status Defeated
Type Initiated constitutional amendment	Origin Citizens

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

A “yes” vote supported setting limits on the charged rates for gas and electricity usage.

A “no” vote opposed setting limits on the charged rates for gas and electricity usage.

Election results

Ohio Utility Rate Limitations Initiative
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		1,247,388	34.82%
No		2,334,816	65.18%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Utility Rate Limitations Initiative was as follows:

“

To adopt new Article XIX, Ohio Constitution Relative to limiting the rates which may be charged to residential consumers for fixed amounts of gas and electricity. The proposed amendment would require:  That residential consumers of gas be charged per cubic foot no more than the average rate charged by their utility to all users of gas. This rate shall apply for the first 30,000 ft. of gas used each month during the winter months. In addition, these consumers may be charged no more than 50% additional per cubic foot for the next 20,000 ft. of gas used per month during the winter months. That residential consumers of electricity be charged for the first 400 kilowatt hours of electricity per month no more than per kilowatt hour than the average rate charged by their utility to all users. Consumers with all electric homes that were substantially completed by the effective date of this amendment shall be charged no more than this rate for the first 2000 kilowatt hours of electricity used per month during the winter months. That part of those rates which are described above are called lifeline rates and shall not be increased by adding any fuel or purchased gas adjustments or other expense except when adjustments are set or reset. That any revenues lost to a public utility from the implementation of the lifeline rates be made up equitably from all other rates.  That any rate changes necessary to comply with this amendment be implemented within 60 days of the effective date 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