Types of ballot measures in Ohio


Types of ballot measures
Initiated
• Initiated constitutional amendment
• Initiated state statute
• Veto referendum
Legislative
• Legislative constitutional amendment
• Legislative state statute
• Legislative bond issue
• Advisory question
Other
• Automatic ballot referral
• Commission-referred measure
• Convention-referred amendment
Select a state from the menu below to learn more about that state's types of ballot measures.

In Ohio, statewide ballot measures can be citizen-initiated. The Ohio State Legislature can also vote to refer measures to the ballot. This page provides an overview of the different types of ballot measures that can appear on state ballots in Ohio.

The types of state ballot measures in Ohio are:

Initiated constitutional amendments
Indirect initiated state statutes
Veto referendums
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
Legislatively referred state statutes
Constitutional convention questions

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.

Initiated constitutional amendments

See also: Initiated constitutional amendment

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.

Indirect initiated state statutes

See also: Indirect initiated state statute

An indirect initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are nine (9) states that allow citizens to initiate indirect state statutes.

While a direct initiative is placed on the ballot once supporters file the required number of valid signatures, an indirect initiative is first presented to the state legislature. Legislators have a certain number of days, depending on the state, to adopt the initiative into law. Should legislators take no action or reject the initiative, the initiative is put on the ballot for voters to decide.

In Ohio, initiated state statutes begin as indirect initiatives, with campaigns needing to collect signatures equal to 3 percent of the votes cast for governor to place their proposal before the Ohio State Legislature. If the legislature fails to enact the proposed legislation, additional signatures equaling another 3 percent of the gubernatorial vote must be collected in order to place the measure the ballot as a direct initiative. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Veto referendums

See also: Veto referendum

A veto referendum is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that asks voters whether to uphold or repeal an enacted law. This type of ballot measure is also called statute referendum, popular referendum, people's veto, or citizen's veto. There are 23 states that allow citizens to initiate veto referendums.

In Ohio, the number of signatures required for a veto referendum is equal to 6% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. Signatures for veto referendums are due 90 days after the targeted law is signed. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Legislative referrals

Legislatively referred constitutional amendments

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

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.

Legislatively referred state statutes

See also: Legislatively referred state statute

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.

Constitutional convention questions

See also: Constitutional convention question

According to Section 3 of Article XVI of the Ohio Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years starting in 1932. Ohio is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.

The table below shows the last and next automatic constitutional convention question election years:

State	Interval	Last question on the ballot	Next question on the ballot
Ohio	20 years	2012	2032

Other types of ballot measures

Most ballot measures are placed on the ballot through citizen initiatives or legislative processes. Others are placed on the ballot automatically, by a special commission, or by a state constitutional convention. The following is a list of different types of state ballot measures:

Types of state ballot measures

Citizen-initiated ballot measure

• Initiated constitutional amendment

• Direct initiated constitutional amendment

• Indirect initiated constitutional amendment

• Initiated state statute

• Direct initiated state statute

• Indirect initiated state statute

• Combined initiated constitutional amendment and state statute

• Veto referendum

• Statute affirmation (Nevada)

Legislatively referred ballot measure