Duties and Responsibilities
Ohio Ballot Board
The Ohio Ballot Board is responsible for prescribing and certifying the language used on ballots for proposed state constitutional amendments, initiatives, and referenda. It also oversees efforts to inform voters about these ballot issues. The board consists of five members, with the Secretary of State serving as the chair. The office of the Secretary of State provides professional, technical, and clerical support to the board.
The Ballot Board Process
When the Attorney General certifies an initiative petition, the Ohio Ballot Board has 10 days to examine and confirm that it contains only one proposed law or constitutional amendment.
For petitions that meet this legal requirement, the board is responsible for the following:
Certifying the ballot language and explanation
Preparing or designating groups to write arguments for and against the proposal, if needed
Directing the Secretary of State’s office to distribute certified ballot information to the public
Ohio Ballot Board
To learn about the different types of ballot issues in Ohio and the requirements for each, visit: Putting an Issue on the Ballot
For more information about current and past petitions, please visit: Meeting Schedule, Current Petitions and Petition Archive