Ohio Constitutional Amendments Proposed by Citizen Petition Since 1950

11.21.2022 / By Common Cause Ohio

Citizen-led proposals to the Ohio Constitution allow Ohioans to challenge the authority of the state legislature. Direct democracy is about a check on the state legislature.

 

Year Type Topic Outcome
2018 Constitutional
Amendment		 Pro-criminal justice reform with emphasis on treatment Failed
2017 Constitutional
Amendment		 Drug pricing Failed
2017 Constitutional
Amendment		 Pro-crime victims’ rights Passed
2015 Constitutional
Amendment		 Pro-Marijuana Failed
2012 Constitutional
Amendment		 Redistricting reform Failed
2011 Constitutional
Amendment		 Healthcare (anti-mandate) Passed
2009 Constitutional
Amendment		 Casino gambling Passed
2008 Constitutional
Amendment		 Casino gambling Failed
2006 Constitutional
Amendment		 Minimum wage Passed
2006 Constitutional
Amendment		 Casino gambling Failed
2006 Constitutional
Amendment		 Pro-smoking measure Failed
2005 Constitutional
Amendment		 Vote by mail Failed
2005 Constitutional
Amendment		 Contribution limits Failed
2005 Constitutional
Amendment		 Legislative redistricting Failed
2005 Constitutional
Amendment		 Election administration Failed
2004 Constitutional
Amendment		 Defining the word ‘marriage’ Passed
2002 Constitutional
Amendment		 Drug treatment and incarceration Failed
1996 Constitutional
Amendment		 Authorize the establishment of river boat casino gambling in Ohio Failed
1994 Constitutional
Amendment		 Prohibit taxes on the sale or purchase of food for human consumption off the premises where sold Passed
1992 Constitutional
Amendment		 Limit successive terms of office for U.S. Senator from Ohio to two terms and U.S. Representative from Ohio to four terms Passed
1992 Constitutional
Amendment		 Limit successive terms of office for State Senator from Ohio to two terms and State Representative to four terms Passed
1992 Constitutional
Amendment		 Limit successive terms of office for Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer of State, Attorney General, and Auditor of State to two terms Passed
1990 Constitutional
Amendment		 Authorize the license of a casino resort hotel. The City of Lorain would serve as a pilot program for potential statewide or county-by-county gaming ordinances. Taxes would be levied on the revenues. Failed
1987 Constitutional
Amendment		 Change the way Ohio selects its Supreme Court and Appeals Court judges by abolishing the direct election method and replacing it with an appointment system. Failed
1983 Constitutional
Amendment		 Repeal all taxes passed since 1982. Failed
1983 Constitutional
Amendment		 Require a 3/5 majority of the General Assembly to raise taxes. Failed
1983 Constitutional
Amendment		 Raise the minimum age to 21 years for the consumption of beer. Failed
1982 Constitutional
Amendment		 Direct election of Public Utility Commissioners Failed
1981 Constitutional
Amendment		 Abolish the present methods of establishing general assembly and congressional districts, to create the commission for reapportionment and redistricting, and to require the commission to approve the plan which is most compact. Failed
1981 Constitutional
Amendment		 Authorize the sale of workers compensation insurance coverage by private insurance companies Failed
1977 Constitutional
Amendment		 Prohibit the use of leg hold traps or any trapping device causing prolonged suffering. Failed
1977 Constitutional
Amendment		 Provide that a person is entitled to vote if he or she has been registered for 30 days. Passed
1976 Constitutional
Amendment		 Simplify the procedures for initiative and referendum. Failed
1976 Constitutional
Amendment		 Establish procedures for legislative hearings and approval of safety features of nuclear power plants and related facilities. Failed
1976 Constitutional
Amendment		 Provide for representation of residential utility consumers in regulatory actions affecting their interests. Failed
1976 Constitutional
Amendment		 Limit the rates which may be charged to residential consumers for fixed amounts of gas and electricity. Failed
1975 Constitutional
Amendment		 Authorize the issuance of bonds and notes, not to exceed $2.75 billion for capital improvements for cities, villages, counties and other subdivisions and for other capital improvements including energy facilities and heart and cancer facilities. Failed
1975 Constitutional
Amendment		 Relative to the authority of the state, municipal corporations, and counties to provide assistance with respect to housing and nursing, extended care and other health facilities. Failed
1975 Constitutional
Amendment		 Authorize the issuance of bonds and notes, not to exceed $1.75 billion to be paid from an additional levy of 9/10 of 1 cent per gallon of gasoline tax, for the development, restoration, and upgrading of highways and other transportation facilities. Failed
1975 Constitutional
Amendment		 Create and preserve jobs by the authorization of tax incentives to industrial plants. Failed
1972 Constitutional
Amendment		 Conditions for prohibition upon the levy of a tax on income, except a municipal income tax, or increasing the rates thereof, without the approval of a majority of the voting electors. Failed
1965 Statutory
Initiative		 Amend the school foundation program and increase taxes to support it. Failed
1958 Constitutional
Amendment		 Forbid labor contract which establish union membership as a condition for continuing employment (right-to-work) Failed

Info obtained here.

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