Know Your Voting Resources

OCALI Voter Guide:
Ohio’s Special Election

What is an election?

An election is when people vote.

We vote to see who will be in charge or what laws will be made.

• Voting is a way to make decisions.
• Voting lets us have a say in what laws are made and what people are in charge.
• Voting is a right.

We vote using a ballot. Sometimes a ballot is a piece of paper. Sometimes a ballot is on a computer screen. The ballot lists people or laws we’re voting on.

What is a special election?

Ohio has different types of elections.

• Primary elections happen in May. People vote on things like who should try to be in charge.
• General elections happen in November. People vote on things like who should be Governor or President or what laws should pass.
• Special elections can happen in May, August, or November. In special elections we usually vote on one or two important things.

When is Ohio’s next special election?

Ohio’s next special election is on August 8, 2023.

What are we voting on?

We are voting on Issue 1. Issue 1 is about Ohio’s constitution.

• The constitution is Ohio’s main law.
• It says how we should run Ohio and what rights we have.
• Changes to the constitution are called amendments.
• We always get to vote on amendments.

What does Issue 1 say?

Some people think it should be harder to change Ohio’s constitution. Some people think it should be the same as other laws.

When you vote on Issue 1 you get to say what you think.

If you vote YES on Issue 1 you think it should be harder.
If you vote NO on Issue 1, you think it should be the same.

Same (NO on Issue 1)

• If I want to change Ohio’s constitution, I find enough people in 44 counties who also want to make that change. If I find enough people, then all of Ohio gets to vote on it.
• When all Ohio votes, most of them (a majority) have to agree to the change. The change happens.
• If 100 people vote, at least 51 people have to want the change for it to pass.
• This is the same as other laws we vote on.

Harder (YES on Issue 1)

• If I want to change Ohio’s constitution, I find enough people in 88 counties who also want to make that change. If I find enough people, then all of Ohio gets to vote on it.
• When all Ohio votes, even more of them (a super-majority) have to agree to the change. The change happens.
• If 100 people vote, at least 60 people have to want the change for it to pass.
• This is different than other laws we vote on.

What will my ballot look like?

Here is what Issue 1 will look like on your ballot. It might look different on a piece of paper or a computer screen, but these are the words.

Where can I learn more about voting and elections?

Voting in Ohio

• Ohio Secretary of State’s resources for Voters with Disabilities
• Disability Rights Ohio Voting and New Voter ID Requirements

Other Voting Resources

• Autistic Self Advocacy Network Your Vote Counts: A Self-Advocates Guide to Voting in the US – Easy Read and Plain Language Versions available
• Vote for Access with Imani Barbarin – videos with ASL interpreter, visual descriptions, and closed captions
• Tuesday’s with Liz Voting videos from the Association of University Centers on Disability
• REV UP! Register, Educate, Vote, Use Your Power!