Montgomery County Issue 17 — City of Kettering: Charter Amendment

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:33 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Kettering voters

What it does
The City of Kettering proposes amending Kettering City Charter Section 4-3 Procedure of Passage of Ordinances, as follows: Every ordinance shall be introduced in written form. After its approval on its first reading, a summary of the ordinance shall be published using at least one of the following methods: (1) In a newspaper of general circulation in the municipal corporation; or (2) On the official public notice web site established under section 125.182 of the Revised Code; or (3) On the web site of the municipal corporation. At least three (3) correct copies of the ordinance in the form in which it was approved on its first reading shall be made available to public inspection in the office of the Municipality. The summary shall describe the ordinance in brief and general terms and state that the ordinance is available for public inspection in the office of the Municipality, together with a notation as to the time and place of its consideration for final adoption. The publication shall be at least five (5) days prior to the time advertised. (Removes: "in a local newspaper with general circulation within the corporate limits of the Municipality.") Shall the proposed charter amendment, as reported by the charter commission of the City of Kettering be adopted?
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 4-3 of Kettering's City Charter says every ordinance must be introduced in writing. After first-reading approval, a summary must be published in a local newspaper with general circulation in the city.
  • At least three copies of the ordinance must be available for public inspection at the city's offices, and the summary must be published at least five days before the time set for final adoption.

If it passes

  • The summary could be published using at least one of three methods: a newspaper of general circulation in the city, the state's official public notice website (Ohio Revised Code section 125.182), or the City of Kettering's website.
  • The newspaper would no longer be the only required method.
  • The other requirements stay: written introduction, three copies for public inspection, and publication at least five days before final adoption.

Who would notice

Kettering residents who follow proposed city ordinances, and the city's Clerk of Council, which publishes the notices. It does not change any tax.

How it got here

Kettering's Charter is reviewed by a committee of citizens every 10 years. The City Council received the 2026 Charter Review Committee's report and recommendations by resolution, and the ballot question presents this amendment "as reported by the charter commission." It is Montgomery County Issue 17, one of several Kettering charter questions on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

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

See your members of Congress and every race and measure on your ballot in Montgomery County, from your address. Your address stays in your browser.Look up my races

Next elections here

Also on Montgomery County ballots

All Montgomery County races and measures →

Quick answers

Would ordinances still be published somewhere?
Yes. A summary would still have to be published, in a newspaper, on Ohio's official public notice website, or on the city's website.
Would the waiting period before final adoption change?
No. Publication must still be at least five days before final consideration.
What vote does it need?
A majority affirmative vote.
How many votes does Montgomery County Issue 17 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 Montgomery County Issue 17?
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 Montgomery County ballot.

See something wrong on this page? Report a problem · Corrections