Elections & Ballot Issues Compliance
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.
What's on the 2010 Ohio Statewide Ballot
Ballot and Election News
Do Privacy Rights Extend to Ballot Issue Petition Signers? Supreme Court to Decide
January 2010
Bulletin on an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court balancing rights of privacy against the right to obtain referendum petition signers’ names and addresses under a state public records act.
Filing Requirements for Corporate Contributors to Ballot Issue Campaigns
August 2008
The check is not only thing you have to sign: A bulletin on Ohio's filing and reporting requirements for corporations and labor organizations which support or oppose 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.
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.
2006-2007 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
Ohio Secretary of State
Website of the Ohio Secretary of State Office