Innovation Ohio

What you need to know about Ohio Politics and Policy

About The November 7 General Election

Ohioans go to the polls on November 7, 2023 to participate in a variety of local questions, including the election of mayors, city council, school board and even decide on local ballot issues. Also on the ballot this year will be two citizen-initiated proposals to protect reproductive freedom and regulate marijuana like alcohol.

More About Issue 1: Reproductive Freedom Amendment

More About Issue 2: Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol

Innovation Ohio will update the election hub with our latest research and analysis about these issues as well as to provide guidance on how to participate when it’s time to cast your vote.

Before voting begins, take the time to make sure you are registered to vote at your current address. You have until October 10 to register or make updates to your voter registration.

About State Issue 2: Marijuana Regulation

Issue 2 will appear on the November 7, 2023 ballot. It will ask voters to approve “An Act to Control and Regulate Adult Use Cannabis” statute to the Ohio Revised Code.

A Yes Vote on Issue 2:

  • Legalizes and regulates the cultivation, manufacturing, testing, and sale of marijuana and marijuana products to adults ages 21 and up.
  • Legalizes home grow for adults ages 21 and up with a limit of six plants per person and 12 plans per residence.
  • Allows landlords or an employer to have the authority to prohibit the adult use of cannabis in certain circumstances, and prohibit the operation of a motor vehicle while using or under the influence of adult use cannabis and from using any other combustible adult use cannabis while a passenger in a motor vehicle.

A No Vote On Issue 2:

  • Keeps Ohio law the same by only allowing medical use for marijuana.
  • Upholds current laws regarding recreational marijuana which could result in misdemeanor or felony charges. Up to 8 years in prison and/or $15,000 fine.

About State Issue 1: Reproductive Freedom

Issue 1 will appear on the November 7, 2023 ballot. It will ask voters to add a “Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety” amendment to the Ohio Constitution.

A Yes Vote on Issue 1:

  • Grants every individual the right to make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions, including but not limited to decisions on contraception, fertility treatment, continuing one’s own pregnancy, miscarriage care, and abortion.
  • Prevents patients, doctors, and from being penalized for exercising reproductive freedoms.
  • Prohibits abortion after fetal viability except when the mother’s life is at risk.

A No Vote On Issue 1:

  • Keeps decisions regarding contraception, fertility treatments, miscarriage care, and abortion with politicians.
  • Allows politicians to restore Ohio’s six-week abortion ban and place additional restrictions on reproductive health care.
  • Forces Ohio patients to have to travel to other states to access abortion care and miscarriage management.

About the August 8 Election

Ohioans will head to the polls on August 8 to vote on the question of how hard it should be to amend the state constitution through the citizen initiative process.

Despite eliminating August elections last year, Ohio lawmakers have changed course and scheduled a statewide vote on August 8 on a proposal that would make it harder for citizens to amend Ohio’s constitution by initiative petition.

The timing of the August special election was designed to get ahead of a vote on abortion rights later this year. Advocates filed over 700,000 signatures in July, placing an amendment on the ballot in November to protect the right to an abortion. Statehouse republicans now want to change the results of the game and require a 60% yes vote in order to influence the outcome of important policy decisions best left to voters

Here’s what you need to know about participating in the August election:

About The August Special Election

Ohioans will head to the polls on August 8 to vote on the question of how hard it should be to amend the state constitution through the citizen initiative process.

Despite eliminating August elections last year, Ohio lawmakers have changed course and scheduled a statewide vote on August 8 on a proposal that would make it harder for citizens to amend Ohio’s constitution by initiative petition.

Learn more about Issue 1

The timing of the August special election was designed to get ahead of a potential vote on abortion rights later this year. Advocates for reproductive rights filed over 700,000 signatures on July 5 which, if validated in sufficient number, would put an amendment on the ballot in November to protect the right to an abortion. Statehouse republicans are trying to change the results of the game to influence the outcome of important policy decisions best left to voters.

Here’s what you need to know about participating in the August election:

Key Dates July 10 - Voter registration deadline July 11 - Early voting begins August 1 - Mail Ballot requests must be received August 7 - Mail Ballots must be postmarked August 8 - Election day August 12 - Mail Ballots must be received

Sign up for election reminders to stay up to date as the election approaches. Your voice matters, and your vote can shape the future of Ohio.

More Information About Voting on August 8

Ohio’s New Voting Laws

Ohio recently passed a bill, signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine, that brings significant changes to the state’s voting regulations. Here are the key changes that may affect your ability to make your vote count:

  • Photo ID Requirement for In-Person Voting: Under the new law, Ohio voters will be required to present a valid photo ID when casting their ballots in-person. This includes early voting in-person and Election Day voting. Acceptable forms of photo ID include a current and unexpired driver’s license, state ID card, military ID (not issued by a county gov), or a passport. Eligible voters who do not possess an acceptable photo ID may obtain a free identification card from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
  • ID requirements to vote early by mail have not changed. To vote by mail, voters must provide either a driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number when requesting a ballot.
  • Postage ban: Prohibits officials from prepaying postage on mail-in ballots and mail-in ballot applications.
  • Shortened Early Voting Period: The new law reduces the early voting period from 35 days to 28 days before Election Day (starts July 11) and eliminates in-person voting on the Monday before Election Day.
  • Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is now set at noon on the Saturday before Election Day (August 5), reducing the time available for voters to request and receive their ballots.
  • Absentee Ballot Return Deadline: mail-in ballots must be received by the Board of Elections no later than 4 days after election day (August 12), reducing the time available for voters to return their ballots
  • Reduced cure period: HB458 shortens the time during which voters can provide additional information, such as a valid photo ID, after voting a provisional ballot from 7 days after election day to 4.
  • Limited Availability of Ballot Drop Boxes: Only one drop box is permitted per county and is only available during Board of Election business hours

Before you vote on August 8 or in the future, make sure that your voter registration is up to date, help register your friends and family, and make sure everyone has the identification they need to go to the polls or vote by mail.

Get the Facts: Senate Joint Resolution 2

Ohio Senate Joint Resolution 2, a constitutional amendment proposal that would change the threshold for passing new amendments to the state constitution. If passed by the voters on August 8th, the amendment would increase the required vote to 60% of the electorate, up from the current simple majority threshold. This proposal has generated significant debate and discussion among Ohioans, with opinions divided on whether the higher threshold would help or hinder the democratic process.

To help voters understand the Facts vs. Myths in this important debate, Innovation Ohio has provided the following overview. Whether you’re a staunch supporter of the change or a skeptic of its effects, this overview will be a valuable resource for voters who want to make an informed decision at the ballot box.

SJR 2 Facts

SJR 2 are legislative proposals that would increase the votes required to enact new constitutional amendments to 60%, up from a simple majority (50% +1).

Unfortunately, there has been a lot of misinformation used to gain support for these proposals. Here are the facts.

Since 1912, 19 constitutional amendments have been intimated by citizens, while legislators have initiated a whopping 108. Since 2022, 14 of 19 originated in the legislature.

In reality, most citizen-proposed constitutional amendments fail. Since 1912, 69 constitutional amendments have been proposed, and only 19 have passed, making for a success rate of 27.5%.

There has also been an emphasis from backers of SJR2 on the influence of deep-pocketed special interests in amending Ohio’s constitution, but there is no correlation between the amount spent on a citizen ballot initiative and its chance of passing. Successful campaigns have actually spent less, on average, than the backers of failed campaigns.

$11.2 million is the average amount spent on successful citizen ballot measure,  compared to an average of $16.7 million on failed citizen ballot measures. 

  • Washington requires 50%+1 except amendments about gambling and lottery laws require 60%
  • Arizona requires 50%+1 except amendments that raise taxes or impose fees require 60%
  • Illinois requires 60%; or a measure can pass with 50% of all votes cast in the election.
  • Nevada requires a majority vote (50%+1) in two successive elections
  • Oregon requires 50%+1 but 50% voter turnout in the election
  • Massachusetts requires 50%+1 and 30% of those voting in that election
  • Nebraska requires 50%+1 AND 35% of the total votes cast in that election
  • Mississippi requires 50%+1 AND 40’% of the total votes cast in that election
  • Wyoming requires 50%+1 AND 50% of the total votes cast in that election

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