Defend Home Rule in Ohio

On March 17, 2026 Governor Mike DeWine signed SB63 into law, a law designed to prevent local communities from adopting Ranked Choice Voting. But this fight is about more than Ranked Choice Voting.

It's about who gets to make decisions for your community.

What Does SB63 Do?

SB63 prohibits the use of Ranked Choice Voting in Ohio and threatens local governments with the loss of all Local Government Fund dollars if they adopt it.

But Ohio's Constitution also gives municipalities broad powers of local self-government. Questions remain about how SB63 can be applied when a charter municipality exercises those constitutional powers.

That's why this isn't just a fight about Ranked Choice Voting. It's a fight about Home Rule. And Ohio legislators setting a bad precedent.

What Is Home Rule?

Home Rule is the constitutional authority of Ohio municipalities to govern themselves on local matters.

Article XVIII of the Ohio Constitution gives municipalities the authority to exercise “all powers of local self-government.”

That principle matters whether or not you support Ranked Choice Voting. If the state can impose financial penalties whenever it disagrees with a community exercising its constitutional right to local self-government, is there really Home Rule in Ohio? And what local decisions could be next?

Help Ohio Communities Stand Up for Home Rule

We're working with local leaders and legal partners to challenge SB63 and protect the constitutional authority of Ohio communities.

You can help.

Ask your mayor, city council members, and law director to stand up for Home Rule and consider joining the effort to challenge SB63.

You can contact them directly or attend a city council meeting and speak during public comment. We've put together sample emails, talking points, and a short public-comment statement to make it easy.

TAKE ACTION TO DEFEND HOME RULE

You can also add your name to the growing list of Ohioans who believe decisions about local elections should remain in the hands of local communities.

SIGN THE PETITION TO DEFEND HOME RULE

Want to Learn More?

We've collected the legal background, history, research, news coverage, and arguments surrounding SB63 and Ranked Choice Voting for those who want to dig deeper.

SB63 & HOME RULE RESOURCES