Council postpones vote on charter change to align petition deadline with state law

Shelby City Council voted to postpone consideration of Ordinance No. 15 (2025), a proposed amendment to Section 53 of the city charter that would change the required filing deadline for nominating petitions from 75 days to 90 days before a primary election, aligning city charter language with the Ohio Revised Code.

Sponsors said the change would give voters more time to contest petitions and provide two additional weeks for the Board of Elections to prepare ballots. “Currently our citizens have only 1 day to challenge or contest someone's petition,” a sponsor said, arguing that increasing the timeframe would give residents “15 days versus 1 day” to contest filings. The sponsor noted Ohio law changed in 2014 and asserted the city’s charter language remains at 75 days, out of step with the state’s 90-day requirement.

Opponents and some council members questioned whether a formal legal ruling existed that the city’s charter was out of compliance and asked for written guidance. One council member said the board of elections had accepted petitions submitted within the 15‑day difference during the prior cycle and had not refused filings, and that no clear written determination had been provided that the charter actually conflicts with state law.

After discussion, a motion to postpone the legislation to the next council meeting passed, allowing time to seek formal legal guidance on whether the charter must be amended and to give sponsors additional opportunity to persuade colleagues.

Ending: The measure will return for further consideration after staff and legal counsel supply more definitive guidance on the interplay between Section 53 of the city charter and the Ohio Revised Code.