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Local ranked-choice voting advocates ask Athens council to condemn Ohio bill limiting local election methods
Summary
A representative of Rank to Vote Athens urged the council during public comment to pass a resolution condemning Senate Bill 63, which the speaker said would prohibit local use of ranked-choice voting by withholding government funding from jurisdictions that adopt it; no council action was taken during the meeting.
During the citizen-participation portion of the Sept. 15 Athens City Council meeting, James (last name not provided) representing Rank to Vote Athens urged the council to condemn Senate Bill 63, which he said had passed the Ohio Senate and was in a House committee.
James said Senate Bill 63 would eliminate use of ranked-choice voting in Ohio by withholding government funding from any local government that adopts the system. He asked the council to pass a resolution supporting local authority to choose election methods and to defend constitutional rights he said are implicated by the bill. The speaker framed the request as protection of municipal discretion under the Ohio Constitution.
Council did not take action on the request during the meeting; no council members indicated a vote or referral to committee on the record. The matter remains a citizen request that the council could consider in a future meeting if a member introduces a resolution or places it on the agenda.
Why it matters: If enacted statewide as described by the speaker, the bill could affect municipalities considering alternative voting systems. Local governments retain discretion to consider resolutions or other responses.
Where it stands: Public comment was recorded; no formal council action occurred on Sept. 15.
