2026-42 AN ORDINANCE SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF VERMILION A PROPOSAL BY THE VERMILION CITY COUNCIL TO AMEND THE VERMILION CITY CHARTER BY AMENDING THE PROCESS OF NOMINATION FOR COUNCIL; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
WHEREAS, based on the recommendation of the City of Vermilion Charter Review Commission, the Vermilion City Council deems it desirable to amend the current City Charter provision governing nominations for City Council.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Article XVIII, Sections 8 and 9 of the Ohio Constitution, the Vermilion City Council presents to the electors of the City of Vermilion at the General Election to be held on November 3, 2026, an amendment to the City Charter modifying and amending current Article VIII, Section VIII-3 titled “Nomination for Council” as more fully described herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Vermilion, Counties of Erie and Lorain, State of Ohio:
SECTION 1: Pursuant to Article XVIII, Section 8 and 9 of the Ohio Constitution, there is submitted to a vote of the qualified electors of the City of Vermilion at the November 3, 2026 General Election an amendment to the City of Vermilion Charter modifying and amending current Article VIII, Section VIII-3 titled “Nomination for Council.”
SECTION 2: The Clerk of Council is authorized and directed to submit a certified copy of this Ordinance to both the Erie and Lorain County Boards of Elections not less than sixty (60) days prior to the November 3, 2026 General Election for submission to the qualified electors of the City of Vermilion.
SECTION 3: The ballot language for the amendment set forth in Section 1 of this Ordinance is recommended to read substantially as follows:
Shall Article VIII, Section VIII-3 titled “Nomination for Council” be amended as follows:
Nominations for members of City Council shall be made either by petition signed by electors of the Municipality not less in number than two per cent of the number voting for the office of Mayor at the last preceding regular Municipal election or a ward thereof in the case of the nominating petition of a candidate for election as a Councilman from such ward and filed with the election authorities in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, or by filing a declaration of candidacy as a write in candidate in accordance with the laws or the State of Ohio.
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FOR THE AMENDMENT
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AGAINST THE AMENDMENT
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SECTION 4: If approved by a majority of those voting on the question, the amendment of Article VIII, Section VIII-3 titled “Nomination for Council” shall become effective immediately upon certification of the election results as provided by law.
SECTION 5: Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 731.211, the Clerk of Council shall give notice of the foregoing proposed Charter amendment to the electors of the City of Vermilion.
SECTION 6: This Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety and welfare and for the further reason that this Ordinance must go into immediate effect in order to meet the deadline for submitting the same to the Lorain and Erie County Boards of Elections at least sixty (60) days before the General Municipal Election on November 3, 2026 and to allow the respective Boards of Elections to take all actions necessary to ensure the City Council's proposed Charter amendments are presented to the electors of the City of Vermilion on November 3, 2026; wherefore, this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force immediately after its passage by City Council and approval by the Mayor; otherwise it shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.