Buckeye Reporter

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office has certified the petition title and summary for a proposed constitutional amendment known as the “Ohio Equal Rights Amendment.” This measure would add Section 23 to Article I of the Ohio Constitution.

The initial petition was submitted on June 24 and resubmitted on August 1 after a portion was separated by the Ohio Ballot Board.

In a letter to petitioners, the office stated: “The submitted title and summary comply with Section 3519.01(A) as interpreted by the federal courts. This certification should not be construed as an affirmation of the enforceability, constitutionality, or wisdom of the proposed amendment.”

Following this certification, the next step is for the Attorney General’s Office to file a verified copy of both the amendment and its certification with the Secretary of State. Petitioners are then required to gather signatures from registered voters amounting to 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 equal to at least 5% of its vote in that election.

If enough valid signatures are confirmed by the Secretary of State’s Office at least 65 days before an election, then the full text of the proposed amendment will appear on the ballot in either a regular or general election occurring more than 125 days after filing.

The complete certification letter and petition are available online.