Buckeye Reporter

The Ohio Attorney General's Office has approved the petition title and summary for a proposed constitutional amendment named the "Ohio Equal Rights Amendment." This amendment aims to introduce a Section 23 to Article I of the Ohio Constitution and amend Article XV, Section 11.

In a response letter to the petitioners, it was stated that "the submitted title and summary comply with Section 3519.01(A) as interpreted by the federal courts." However, it was also noted that this certification "should not be construed as an affirmation of the enforceability, constitutionality, or wisdom of the proposed amendment."

Following this approval, the Ohio Ballot Board must decide if the proposal represents a single constitutional amendment or multiple amendments. If certified by the board, petitioners are required to gather signatures from registered voters totaling at least 10% of those who voted in the most recent gubernatorial election. These signatures must come from at least 44 out of Ohio's 88 counties, with each county contributing signatures equating to at least 5% of its gubernatorial vote.

Should these signatures be validated by the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office at least 65 days before an election, the full text of the proposed amendment will appear on the ballot in either a regular or general election occurring after 125 days post-petition filing.

Further details including the complete certification letter and petition can be accessed online.