In the 2023 general election, city voters approved Issue 23, an amendment to the city charter streamlining local initiative and election processes. In the process of implementing the amendment, petition forms defaulted to form No. 6-B as prescribed by the Ohio Secretary of State. Unlike previous forms, a printed name field is no longer included, creating unintended difficulties for petition circuluators, city staff, and Board of Elections officials.

Article II, § 8(A)(1) of the city charter provides Council the authority to prescribe a petition form different than that provided by the Secretary of State, for both initiative and candidate nominating petitions, via ordinance. We ask that such an ordinance is passed to designate a new petition form in line with those previously used so that a printed name field is included!