Does this remove the right to a referendum on zoning?

No. Zoning ordinances would remain subject to referendum; the filing window and effective date would be 30 days after publication instead of 60.

Could Council pass a rezoning as an emergency to make it take effect right away?

No. The amended Section 2.17 would still bar passing zoning ordinances by emergency.

What about other ordinances?

Most other ordinances would still take effect 20 days after publication.

How many votes does Franklin County Issue 35 need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Franklin County Issue 35?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Franklin County Issue 35 — Worthington – Proposed Charter Amendment

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:03 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Worthington voters

What it does: Worthington – Proposed Charter Amendment — Effective Date of Ordinances Recommended by Commission
Needed to pass: A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Left–right lean: Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

Official text: source

Explained

Today

Section 1.04 of Worthington's Charter, added by a citizen petition in 2015, gives residents 60 days after publication to file a referendum petition against an ordinance or other measure that amends the zoning code or rezones property.
Such zoning measures do not take effect until 60 days after publication and cannot be passed as emergencies. Most other ordinances take effect 20 days after publication.

If it passes

YES would delete Section 1.04 and move the zoning rules into Sections 2.17 and 2.19.
Ordinances amending the zoning code or changing zoning district boundaries or classifications would take effect on the 30th day after publication, so the window to file a referendum petition would be 30 days instead of 60.
Such zoning ordinances still could not be passed as emergencies.
The words "or other measure" would be dropped, so the rule refers to ordinances.
NO would keep the 60-day period in Section 1.04.

Who would notice

Worthington residents who may want to petition for a referendum on a zoning change, and property owners and developers seeking rezonings.

How it got here

Worthington's Charter Review Commission recommended it. City Council considered the recommendations on July 13 and July 20, 2026 and placed this question on the ballot (Ordinance No. 20-2026).

The City says 13 of 16 other Central Ohio cities allow 30 days, that 30 days matches the state-law default, and that commissioners were concerned the 60-day period deters investment.

The same ballot has related Worthington questions: Issue 36 (referendum petition signatures, from the Commission), Issue 37 (various amendments) and Issue 38 (submitted by citizen petition).

Written by SpectrumVote from 3 linked sources (1, 2, 3). Arguments are each side's own, not ours; the official text is what you vote on.

Background

According to the Franklin County Board of Elections notice, Worthington City Council passed the measure placing this amendment on the ballot on July 20, 2026; the amendment was recommended by the city's charter commission.

The question would delete charter Section 1.04, which sets a 60-day referendum and effective-date period for zoning ordinances, and amend Sections 2.17 and 2.19 on passing ordinances and their effective dates, as set out in Exhibit A of Ordinance No. 20-2026.

Exhibit A also states that ordinances amending the zoning code or changing zoning may not be passed as emergency measures.

Put on the ballot by Worthington City Council, passed July 20, 2026 (Ord. No. 20-2026, as amended).

From official source 1, official source 2.

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Quick answers

Does this remove the right to a referendum on zoning?: No. Zoning ordinances would remain subject to referendum; the filing window and effective date would be 30 days after publication instead of 60.
Could Council pass a rezoning as an emergency to make it take effect right away?: No. The amended Section 2.17 would still bar passing zoning ordinances by emergency.
What about other ordinances?: Most other ordinances would still take effect 20 days after publication.
How many votes does Franklin County Issue 35 need to pass?: A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Should I vote yes or no on Franklin County Issue 35?: SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?: The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Franklin County ballot.

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