Blog Post
Ohio Constitutional Amendments Proposed by Citizen Petition Since 1950
Citizen-led proposals to the Ohio Constitution allow Ohioans to challenge the authority of the state legislature. Direct democracy is about a check on the state legislature.
| Year | Type | Topic | Outcome |
| 2018 | Constitutional Amendment |
Pro-criminal justice reform with emphasis on treatment | Failed |
| 2017 | Constitutional Amendment |
Drug pricing | Failed |
| 2017 | Constitutional Amendment |
Pro-crime victims’ rights | Passed |
| 2015 | Constitutional Amendment |
Pro-Marijuana | Failed |
| 2012 | Constitutional Amendment |
Redistricting reform | Failed |
| 2011 | Constitutional Amendment |
Healthcare (anti-mandate) | Passed |
| 2009 | Constitutional Amendment |
Casino gambling | Passed |
| 2008 | Constitutional Amendment |
Casino gambling | Failed |
| 2006 | Constitutional Amendment |
Minimum wage | Passed |
| 2006 | Constitutional Amendment |
Casino gambling | Failed |
| 2006 | Constitutional Amendment |
Pro-smoking measure | Failed |
| 2005 | Constitutional Amendment |
Vote by mail | Failed |
| 2005 | Constitutional Amendment |
Contribution limits | Failed |
| 2005 | Constitutional Amendment |
Legislative redistricting | Failed |
| 2005 | Constitutional Amendment |
Election administration | Failed |
| 2004 | Constitutional Amendment |
Defining the word ‘marriage’ | Passed |
| 2002 | Constitutional Amendment |
Drug treatment and incarceration | Failed |
| 1996 | Constitutional Amendment |
Authorize the establishment of river boat casino gambling in Ohio | Failed |
| 1994 | Constitutional Amendment |
Prohibit taxes on the sale or purchase of food for human consumption off the premises where sold | Passed |
| 1992 | Constitutional Amendment |
Limit successive terms of office for U.S. Senator from Ohio to two terms and U.S. Representative from Ohio to four terms | Passed |
| 1992 | Constitutional Amendment |
Limit successive terms of office for State Senator from Ohio to two terms and State Representative to four terms | Passed |
| 1992 | Constitutional Amendment |
Limit successive terms of office for Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer of State, Attorney General, and Auditor of State to two terms | Passed |
| 1990 | Constitutional Amendment |
Authorize the license of a casino resort hotel. The City of Lorain would serve as a pilot program for potential statewide or county-by-county gaming ordinances. Taxes would be levied on the revenues. | Failed |
| 1987 | Constitutional Amendment |
Change the way Ohio selects its Supreme Court and Appeals Court judges by abolishing the direct election method and replacing it with an appointment system. | Failed |
| 1983 | Constitutional Amendment |
Repeal all taxes passed since 1982. | Failed |
| 1983 | Constitutional Amendment |
Require a 3/5 majority of the General Assembly to raise taxes. | Failed |
| 1983 | Constitutional Amendment |
Raise the minimum age to 21 years for the consumption of beer. | Failed |
| 1982 | Constitutional Amendment |
Direct election of Public Utility Commissioners | Failed |
| 1981 | Constitutional Amendment |
Abolish the present methods of establishing general assembly and congressional districts, to create the commission for reapportionment and redistricting, and to require the commission to approve the plan which is most compact. | Failed |
| 1981 | Constitutional Amendment |
Authorize the sale of workers compensation insurance coverage by private insurance companies | Failed |
| 1977 | Constitutional Amendment |
Prohibit the use of leg hold traps or any trapping device causing prolonged suffering. | Failed |
| 1977 | Constitutional Amendment |
Provide that a person is entitled to vote if he or she has been registered for 30 days. | Passed |
| 1976 | Constitutional Amendment |
Simplify the procedures for initiative and referendum. | Failed |
| 1976 | Constitutional Amendment |
Establish procedures for legislative hearings and approval of safety features of nuclear power plants and related facilities. | Failed |
| 1976 | Constitutional Amendment |
Provide for representation of residential utility consumers in regulatory actions affecting their interests. | Failed |
| 1976 | Constitutional Amendment |
Limit the rates which may be charged to residential consumers for fixed amounts of gas and electricity. | Failed |
| 1975 | Constitutional Amendment |
Authorize the issuance of bonds and notes, not to exceed $2.75 billion for capital improvements for cities, villages, counties and other subdivisions and for other capital improvements including energy facilities and heart and cancer facilities. | Failed |
| 1975 | Constitutional Amendment |
Relative to the authority of the state, municipal corporations, and counties to provide assistance with respect to housing and nursing, extended care and other health facilities. | Failed |
| 1975 | Constitutional Amendment |
Authorize the issuance of bonds and notes, not to exceed $1.75 billion to be paid from an additional levy of 9/10 of 1 cent per gallon of gasoline tax, for the development, restoration, and upgrading of highways and other transportation facilities. | Failed |
| 1975 | Constitutional Amendment |
Create and preserve jobs by the authorization of tax incentives to industrial plants. | Failed |
| 1972 | Constitutional Amendment |
Conditions for prohibition upon the levy of a tax on income, except a municipal income tax, or increasing the rates thereof, without the approval of a majority of the voting electors. | Failed |
| 1965 | Statutory Initiative |
Amend the school foundation program and increase taxes to support it. | Failed |
| 1958 | Constitutional Amendment |
Forbid labor contract which establish union membership as a condition for continuing employment (right-to-work) | Failed |
Info obtained here.