Columbus
Population as of the July 2011 census update: 797,434[5]
Charter city
Follows the state mandated initiative process for charter amendment, but has its own process for ordinances. Initiatives must follow the single-subject rule. Signatures are required from 5 percent of the total votes cast at the last preceding general municipal election for the position of Mayor (Columbus Charter, Sec. 41). The city clerk is required to provide a petition template to initiative, referendum or recall sponsors. Among other requirements, a full copy of the proposed law must be displayed on the petition. Moreover, initiative sponsors must file a statement of intent to compensate signature gatherers and a report following any actual compensation of anyone who works to circulate a petition. All petitions are to be filed with the city clerk not more than a year from when a copy of the initiative proposal is first submitted. Among the requirements, a petition must have the names of 5 electors who are registered as the official filers. The process for approval of the finished petition is indirect, meaning the council may pass the measure or submit it at the next regular city election to be held not less than 60 nor more than 120 days thereafter. If no regular city election is scheduled for in this time, the council may call for a special election within the same period or put the ordinance on the next regularly scheduled city election. The city council prescribes a ballot summary for the proposed initiative. The council is permitted to draft ballot arguments for and against the proposal. Petitioners may submit suggested language for any of this ballot language to the council. (Columbus Charter, Sec. 44)[6][7]
Petitioners have 30 days from the council's official action on an ordinance to collect the requisite signatures - 5 percent of votes last cast for city mayor - to qualify a referendum on the ordinance. Annual ordinances regarding appropriations and ordinances that themselves submit proposals to the electors are not subject to referendum. Petitioners have 30 days from filing a recall petition with the city to collect the requisite signatures - 15 percent of the number of electors who voted in the last preceding regular municipal election for mayor. Recall petitiones may not be filed within 180 days of an official taking office or within 90 days of a general election for the office in question.[6]
Cleveland
Population as of the July 2011 census update: 393,806
Charter city
Follows the state mandated initiative process for charter amendment, but has its own process for ordinances. There were no subject restrictions found. Signatures are required from 5,000 qualified electors of the city. (Cleveland Charter, Sec. 49) There were no circulator requirements found in the charter or code. The required content can be found in the Cleveland Charter, Sec. 49, 50. The names of 5 electors must be included as official filers. There is no pre-approval process in the charter or code. The process for approval is indirect and the council committee has 60 days to file a recommendation report. The council then has 30 days to pass the measure. If it fails to pass, the petitioners have 10 days to request election by filing a certificate with the clerk of the council. He shall submit the measure at a regular election not less than 60 days or more than 6 months afterwards, otherwise he shall call a special election not less than 60 days after. Petitioners may force a special election by submitting an additional 5,000 signatures. (Cleveland Charter, Sec. 54-57)[8]
Cincinnati
Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 296,223[5]
Charter city
Follows the state mandated initiative process both charter amendment and ordinances, which can be found above.
Toledo
Population as of 2013: 282,313.[9] Toledo is a charter city. It follows the state mandated initiative process for charter amendment, but has its own process for ordinances. Signatures are required from 12% of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for Mayor at the most recent general municipal election at which the Mayor was elected. (Toledo Charter, Sec. 75) There were no circulator requirements found in the charter or code. The required content for the petition can be found in the Toledo Charter, Sec. 92-94. Petitions must include the names of 5 electors as proponents. There is no pre-approval process in the charter or code. The process for approval is indirect and the council has 30 days to pass the measure or they shall submit it at the next regular general or primary election occurring not less than 75 days after. Provided that if the council passes an altered version, the petitioners must file an additional petition with 1% of the total number of ballots cast for Members of Council at the preceding municipal election to have the original proposed ordinance submitted to an election. (Toledo Charter, Sec. 76, 77, 83)
A simple majority determines the outcome of the election.[10]
Akron
Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 198,402[5]
Charter city
Follows the state mandated initiative process for charter amendment, but has its own process for ordinances. There were no subject restrictions found. Signatures are required from 7% of total number of qualified electors registered to vote at the last general municipal election. (Akron Charter, Sec. 17, 21) There were no circulator requirements found in the charter or code.
The required content for the petition can be found in the Akron Charter Sec. 17, 21. There is no pre-approval process in the charter or code.
The council may forego a decision on the measure until the election, otherwise it shall be submitted for the approval or rejection of the electors of the City at the next succeeding general election occurring subsequent up to 60 days after such an initiative petition is found to be sufficient by the Clerk of the Council. (Akron Charter, Sec. 17, 26) A simple majority determines the outcome of the election. (Akron Charter, Sec. 21)[11]
Dayton
Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 142,148[5]
Charter city
Follows the state mandated initiative process for charter amendment, but has its own process for ordinances. There were no subject restrictions found. To get commission consideration: Signatures are required from 10% of the total number of registered voters in the municipality. If the measure fails to pass then it requires an additional 15% to submit to election. (Dayton Charter, Sec. 21, 24) There were no circulator requirements found in the charter or code. The required content can be found in the Dayton Charter, Sec. 21, 22. The names of 5 electors must be included as official filers. There is no pre-circulation approval process in the charter or code. The approval process after circulation is indirect and the commission has 30 days to pass the measure. If it fails, the petition committee has 20 days from final action to file a certificate with the Clerk of Commission requesting an election. They must file an additional petition with new signatures from 15% of the electors. (It is not clear if the 20 day limit applies to signature requirements also). The proposed measure is submitted at a regular election held not more than 6 months nor less than 30 days after the receipt of the Clerk's certificate by the Commission, otherwise the commission calls a special election. (Dayton Charter, Sec. 24-26) A simple majority determines the outcome of the election. (Dayton Charter, Sec. 27)[12]
Parma
Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 80,968[5]
General law city
Follows the state mandated initiative process for ordinances, which can be found above.
Canton
Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 72,919[5]
General law city
Follows the state mandated initiative process for ordinances, which can be found above.
Youngstown
Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 66,571[5]
Charter city
Follows the state mandated initiative process for charter amendment, but has its own process for ordinances. There were no subject restrictions found. Signatures are required from 3% of the number of voters who voted for governor in the municipality in the most recent election. (Youngstown Charter, Sec. 82; ORC Sec. 731.28) For circulators: residency is required as described in ORC §3503.06, however it was ruled unconstitutional by a federal court in 2008. Petitioners must submit an itemized statement according to ORC Sec. 731.35. The Council provides the proper forms which are kept with the clerk. (Youngstown Charter, Sec. 82; Youngstown Code, Sec. 123.01) A certified copy must be filed with the city auditor/city clerk before circulating the petition. (ORC §731.32; Youngstown Charter Sec. 82) Committees of 3 or more may be designated and regarded as filing the petition. (ORC §731.34) The proposed ordinance is submitted at the next general election occurring 90 days after the clerk/auditor certifies and submits it to the board of elections. (ORC §731.28 - 29) A simple majority determines the result of the election. (ORC §731.28 - 29)[13]
Lorain
Population as of the July, 2011 census update: 64,152[5]
General law city
Follows the state mandated initiative process for ordinances.
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