Initative and Referendum – Signature Requirements for Petitioners
| Type of Measure |
Initial Signatures |
Review Period |
Supplemental Signature Process
(after Attorney General verification) |
Additional Information |
| Constitutional Amendment |
At least 1,000 signatures of registered voters
Materials submitted to the Attorney General
|
10 calendar days |
10% of votes cast for governor in previous election (2018).
Currently, a statewide total of 442,958 signatures. (This requirement will fluctuate following each gubernatorial election.)
Signatures must be obtained from at least 44 of Ohio's 88 counties.
From each of the 44 counties, signatures must equal at least 5% of votes cast for governor in that county in previous election.
|
Secretary of State /
Legislation & Ballot Initiatives /
Putting an Issue on the Ballot /
Constitutional Amendment |
Referendum
(any law passed by voters is not subject to referendum) |
At least 1,000 signatures of registered voters
Original materials submitted to the Secretary of State.
Copy of law subject to referendum and copy of summary of law submitted to the Attorney General
|
10 business days
|
6% of votes cast for governor in previous election (2018).
Currently, a statewide total of 265,774 signatures. (This requirement will fluctuate following each gubernatorial election.)
Signatures must be obtained from at least 44 of Ohio's 88 counties.
From each of the 44 counties, signatures must equal at least 3% of votes cast for governor in that county in previous election.
|
Secretary of State /
Legislation & Ballot Initiatives /
Putting an Issue on the Ballot /
Statewide Referendum |
| Initiated Statute |
At least 1,000 signatures of registered voters
Materials submitted to the Attorney General
|
10 calendar days |
3% of votes cast for governor in previous election (2018).
Currently, a statewide total of 132,887. (This requirement will fluctuate following each gubernatorial election.)
Signatures must be obtained from at least 44 of Ohio's 88 counties.
From each of the 44 counties, signatures must equal at least 1.5% of votes cast for governor in that county in previous election.
|
Secretary of State /
Legislation & Ballot Initiatives /
Putting an Issue on the Ballot /
Initiated Statute |
Nothing in this chart should be construed as legal advice and should not be relied upon as a sole source of information.
Petitioners are encouraged to consult legal counsel.