Franklin County Issue 38 — Worthington – Proposed Charter Amendment (by petition)

What it does

Worthington – Proposed Charter Amendment (by petition) — Referendum Petition Signature Requirement Proposed by Petition

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

Background

This charter amendment reached the ballot by citizen petition. According to the Board of Elections notice, City Council passed a resolution submitting it to voters on July 20, 2026.

It would add a Section 1.05 allowing referendums on Council ordinances under state law, but with a signature requirement of 10% of the city's electors, based on the total vote at the last preceding general municipal election.

A competing amendment recommended by the charter commission (Issue 36) would set the requirement at 10% of city voters in the most recent governor's election.

Put on the ballot by Citizen initiative petition; submitted by Worthington City Council resolution, July 20, 2026.

From official source 1, official source 2.

Next elections here

• Columbus election 2027 · November 2, 2027: Mayor, City Auditor and City Council Districts 2, 5, 6, 8 and 9
• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on Franklin County ballots

• Franklin County Issue 18 — Gahanna – Proposed Charter Amendment
• Franklin County Issue 19 — Gahanna – Proposed Charter Amendment
• Franklin County Issue 20 — Gahanna – Proposed Charter Amendment
• Franklin County Issue 21 — Gahanna – Proposed Charter Amendment
• Franklin County Issue 22 — Gahanna – Proposed Charter Amendment
• Franklin County Issue 23 — Gahanna – Proposed Charter Amendment
• Franklin County Issue 24 — Gahanna – Proposed Charter Amendment
• Franklin County Issue 25 — Gahanna – Proposed Charter Amendment
• Franklin County Issue 26 — Gahanna – Proposed Charter Amendment
• Franklin County Issue 27 — Gahanna – Proposed Charter Amendment
• Franklin County Issue 28 — Grove City – Proposed Charter Amendment (by petition)
• Franklin County Issue 34 — Upper Arlington – Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal and Increase)
• Franklin County Issue 35 — Worthington – Proposed Charter Amendment
• Franklin County Issue 36 — Worthington – Proposed Charter Amendment
• Franklin County Issue 37 — Worthington – Proposed Charter Amendment
• Franklin County Issue 40 — Brown Township (unincorporated area) – Proposed Zoning Plan

All Franklin County races and measures →

Quick answers

How many votes does Franklin County Issue 38 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 38?

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.