The Ohio Ballot Board prescribes and certifies the ballot language for proposed Constitutional amendments, initiatives, and referenda and oversees efforts to inform voters of proposed ballot issues. The Secretary of State chairs the five member board and the office of the Secretary of State provides professional, technical, and clerical support for the Board. If you have specific questions about the Ballot Board or any of the proposals being considered, please click here to e-mail your question.

Scheduled Meetings of the Ohio Ballot Board

May 13, 2010

• May 13, 2010 - Agenda (PDF) Transcript (PDF)
• Attorney General’s Certification Letter and Initiative Petition proposing to add the “Ohio Sovereignty Amendment” to the Ohio Constitution (PDF)
• Ballot Board's Certifcation Letter to Attorney General (PDF)

May 3, 2010

• May 3, 2010 - Agenda (PDF) Transcript (PDF)
• Order from Supreme Court of Ohio (PDF)
• Certification / Initiative Petition / Section 21 to Article I of the Ohio Constitution (PDF)
• Post Ballot Board Meeting Letter from Attorney General (PDF)
• Certification Letter to Petitioners from Attorney General (PDF)
• Initiative Petition (PDF)

April 9, 2010

• April 9, 2010 - Agenda (PDF) Transcript (PDF)
• Attorney General’s Certification Letter and Initiative Petition proposing to add Section 21 to Article I of the Ohio Constitution
• Ballot Board’s Division and Certification Letter to the Attorney General (PDF)

February 16, 2010

• February 16, 2010 - Agenda (PDF) | Transcript (PDF)
• Attorney General's Certification Letter and Initiative Petition proposing to add Section 2 to Article XIV of the Ohio Constitution, Standards for the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board (PDF)
• Initiative Petition proposing to add Section 2 to Article XIV of the Ohio Constitution, Standards for the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board (second, more legible copy of petition) (PDF)
• Certification/Initiative Petition Proposing Standards for the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board (PDF)
• Attorney General's Certification Letter of February 22, 2010 and verified copy of proposed amendment to add Section 2 to Article XIV of the Ohio Constitution, Standards for the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board (PDF)

February 9, 2010

• February 9, 2010 - Agenda (PDF) | Transcript (PDF)

Issue 1 (Amended Substitute House Joint Resolution Number 12)

• Certification issued February 9, 2010 (PDF)
• Final Language (PDF)
• Final Explanation (PDF)
• Full Text (PDF)
• Official Argument For Issue 1 (PDF)
• Official Argument Against Issue 1 (PDF)

Issue 2 (Amended Senate Joint Resolution 8)

• Certification issued February 9, 2010 (PDF)
• Final Language (PDF)
• Final Explanation (PDF)
• Full Text (PDF)
• Official Argument For Issue 2 (PDF)
• Official Argument Against Issue 2 (PDF)

Several requirements must be met before a proposed statewide issue can be placed on the ballot. Those procedures can be found here. The Ohio Ballot Board's role in the process is first to determine whether the petition language contains a single issue and secondly, to prescribe the official ballot language and any missing arguments for each statewide issue.  

Issues Information

The 2010 "Ohio Primary Issues Report" is available. Click here to download the report in PDF. 

Issue 1 (Amended Substitute House Joint Resolution Number 12)

• Certification issued February 9, 2010 (PDF)
• Final Language (PDF)
• Final Explanation (PDF)
• Official Argument For Issue 1 (PDF)
• Official Argument Against Issue 1 (PDF)

Issue 2 (Amended Senate Joint Resolution 8)

• Certification issued February 9, 2010 (PDF)
• Final Language (PDF)
• Final Explanation (PDF)
• Official Argument For Issue 2 (PDF)
• Official Argument Against Issue 2 (PDF)

Ballot Board Archive

• 2009 Ballot Board information
• 2008 Ballot Board information
• 2007 Ballot Board information