Summit County Issue 12 — City of Akron proposed charter amendment

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

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Akron voters

What it does
Shall the Charter of the City of Akron be amended to enact Section 100a to add the City of Akron’s existing codified anti-discrimination protections in the Charter; to, with exceptions for sex offenders and arson offenders, prohibit owners and operators from declining to rent to, or engage in real estate transaction with, an individual on the basis of that individual’s criminal history such as arrests, convictions, incarceration; making individuals with criminal histories a protected class similar to race, gender, sexual orientation, and other existing protected classes as it relates to renting, home sales, and other real estate transactions; giving Akron Civil Rights Commission jurisdiction over all real estate discrimination claims arising in Akron; and requiring City Council to enact implementing legislation within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this amendment?
A YES vote means
Akron's charter would include its anti-discrimination protections and, except for sex and arson offenders, bar refusing to rent or sell to someone because of criminal history, giving the Akron Civil Rights Commission jurisdiction and requiring Council to pass implementing laws within 90 days.
A NO vote means
Akron's charter would not add these protections or make criminal history a protected class in housing.
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
A YES vote leans strongly left; a NO vote leans the other way (AI-estimated from the official ballot summary, 74% confidence).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Summit County Issue 12 mean?
Akron's charter would include its anti-discrimination protections and, except for sex and arson offenders, bar refusing to rent or sell to someone because of criminal history, giving the Akron Civil Rights Commission jurisdiction and requiring Council to pass implementing laws within 90 days.
What does a NO vote on Summit County Issue 12 mean?
Akron's charter would not add these protections or make criminal history a protected class in housing.
How many votes does Summit County Issue 12 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 Summit County Issue 12?
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 Summit County ballot.

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