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Ohio’s electoral process has undergone significant change in recent years. A
dramatic increase in ballot issue activity, legislative reforms and judicial
activity have all contributed to this changing area of the law. In
addition to significant campaign finance reforms, Ohio's process
for candidates, issue campaigns, parties and others to participate in the
electoral process has been amended in significant ways.
Initiatives Proposed for the 2008 Ohio November Ballot
Ballot Issues
United States Supreme Court Upholds Voter ID Law
May 2008
Discussion of the United States Supreme Court's decision upholding Indiana's strict photo ID requirement for voters and a comparison of Indiana's law with Ohio's.
Ohio Law Requiring Petition-Circulators be Paid on Flat-Fee Basis
Unconstitutional
March 2008
Synopsis of the March 5, 2008 6th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Citizens for
Tax Reform v. Deters
holding Ohio statute unconstitutional.
The Check is Not Only Thing You Have to Sign: Filing Requirements for Corporate Contributors to Ballot Issue Campaigns
April 2007
Discussion of expenditure reporting requirements for corporations and labor organizations that support or oppose ballot issues.
Mandatory Paid Leave Legislation and Ballot Issue Proposed For Ohio
Information on a union-back Ohio petition to start the process of placing a new statute, entitled Healthy Families Act, before the Ohio General Assembly and, eventually, Ohio voters. The Proposed Act would provide for up to seven days of paid sick leave for employers with 25 or more employees.
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds
City’s Use of Tax Dollars to Defeat Referendum Election
Article discussing a 6th Circuit of Appeals decision confirming that an Ohio
municipality could use its tax dollars and resources to defend its legislation
against a referendum challenge.
2006 Adopted Ohio Ballot
Initiatives
Information on the minimum wage amendment and Ohio SmokeFree law adopted by the
Ohio voters in the November 2006 election.
Statewide Ballot Issues: Is Ohio the Next
California?
May 2005 bulletin on the use of statewide ballot issues, what they are, and how
they have been used in Ohio in past and what is expected in future.
2006-2007 Election Reforms
Litigation, recounts, investigations and reviews of Ohio's recent elections
ultimately revealed a less-than-perfect process, but one which was not fatally
flawed. Amended Substitute House Bill 3 (HB 3), passed on January 31, 2006, is
the Ohio General Assembly’s answer to meaningful election reform.
Amended Substitute House Bill 3 was passed by the House and the Senate on
January 31, 2006, and signed by the Governor on the same day. Many of the
provisions of the bill become effective May 2, 2006, while others are effective
on June 1, 2006.
Ohio Election Reform Answers Public
Concerns
Bulletin by the Bricker & Eckler government relations attorneys discussing
and summarizing Ohio H.B. 3, the 2006 Ohio election reform law.
Am. Sub. H.B. 3
Full text of the Ohio election reform legislation as passed by the Ohio General
Assembly
Status Report of
Election Reform Legislation
Bills enacted in the 126th Ohio General Assembly dealing with changes to the
Ohio election procedures.
Ohio Secretary of State
Website of the Ohio Secretary of State Office
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