Ohio Issue 1, Constitutional Convention Question (2012)

Issue 1
Type	Automatic ballot referral
Topic	Constitutional conventions
Status	d

The Ohio Constitutional Convention Question, also known as Issue 1, was on the November 6, 2012 ballot in the state of Ohio as an automatic ballot referral, where it was defeated.

The measure would have created a convention to revise, alter or amend the state constitution. The last time a constitutional convention question was on the ballot in the state was in 1992. That measure was defeated. Of the four constitutional convention questions on the ballot in Ohio, none have ever been approved.

Election results

See also: 2012 ballot measure election results

The following are official election results:

Ohio Issue 1
Result		Votes	Percentage
d No		3,248,142	68.08%
Yes		1,523,239	31.92%

These results are from the Ohio Secretary of State

Text of measure

Ballot language

The ballot language of the measure read as follows:

“

At the general election to be held in the year one thousand nine hundred and thirty-two, and in each twentieth year thereafter, the question: ‘Shall there be a convention to revise, alter, or amend the constitution[,]" shall be submitted to the electors of the state; and in case a majority of the electors, voting for and against the calling of a convention, shall decide in favor of a convention, the General Assembly, at its next session, shall provide, by law, for the election of delegates, and the assembling of such convention, as is provided in the preceding section; but no amendment of this constitution, agreed upon by any convention assembled in pursuance of this article, shall take effect, until the same shall have been submitted to the electors of the state, and adopted by a majority of those voting thereon. A majority yes vote is necessary for passage. Shall there be a convention to revise, alter, or amend the constitution?

”

Support

No support for the measure has been identified yet

Opposition

• The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber stated, "Oppose Ohio Issue 1, Ohio Constitutional Convention: Issue 1 asks Ohio voters if there should be a convention to revise, alter or amend the Ohio Constitution. This is a ballot referral that automatically appears before voters every 20 years. The Chamber opposes Issue 1 and urges a “no” vote because it believes a constitutional convention is not the most efficient or effective process for constitutional review."

Media endorsements

See also: Endorsements of Ohio ballot measures, 2012

Opposition

• The Akron Beacon Journal stated: "The Ohio Constitution, adopted in 1912, calls for a statewide vote, every 20 years, on the question of holding a full-fledged constitutional convention, with elected delegates. Ohio voters have never approved such a move, but the question must be posed once again this year. We recommend a “no” vote on state Issue 1 on the Nov. 6 ballot."
• The Cleveland Plain Dealer stated opposition to the measure.

Path to the ballot

Section 3 of Article XVI calls for a question about whether to have a convention to appear on the ballot in 1932 and every twenty years thereafter.

See also

Suggest a link

• 2012 ballot measures
• Ohio 2012 ballot measures
• List of Ohio ballot measures
• Ohio Legislature
• Constitutional convention questions on the Ohio ballot