Keep Worthington Moving Forward
Update
our Charter
Issues 35, 36, and 37 are the work of an 11-member Charter Review Commission of our neighbors and community leaders. Issue 38 is not.
A balanced approach
Sets 30 days to petition a zoning decision, in line with most Central Ohio cities the Commission reviewed.
How Issue 35 works ↓A voice for residents
Referendum petitions need 10% of voters in the last governor’s race, down from the state’s new 35%.
How Issue 36 works ↓A simpler process
A streamlined public review process for residents and businesses seeking building permits.
How Issue 37 works ↓Too extreme
Submitted without public comment; not drafted by our Charter Commission. Opens any Council measure to referendum.
How Issue 38 works ↓needed
decision paused
Keep Worthington Moving Forward
Vote yes on 35
A balanced approach that keeps us competitive with our neighbors
Days to gather signatures against a zoning change
Issue 35 also preserves the prohibition on emergency passage for specified zoning matters
16 Central Ohio cities studied by the Commission
- 12 give 30 days
- Only Hilliard gives 60 days
- 3 use other windows
The risk: 60 days + Issue 38
Basing signatures on low-turnout elections means just a few hundred residents could send any Council ordinance or measure to a citywide vote and pause it until then.
general election
potential delay
Read the full ballot text for Issue 35. Charter sections 1.04, 2.17, and 2.19.
Keep Worthington Moving Forward
Vote yes on 36
A voice for residents: back to the 10% standard Worthington used for decades
Signed petitions needed for a referendum
the petitions to fill under today’s state rule than with Issue 36
Forced on us by state lawbased on last governor’s race
since 2025
Issue 36based on last governor’s race
our standard used for decades
Issue 38based on the last city election
even low-turnout ones
Issue 36 writes the 10% standard into our Charter, rather than leaving it up to state law
Why not Issue 38? Even fewer signatures, and any Council decision can be paused and put to a referendum.
Read the full ballot text for Issue 36. Charter section 1.05.
Keep Worthington Moving Forward
Vote yes on 37
A simpler process: a Charter that matches how Worthington works today
We get our say sooner
When neighbors petition for a referendum, the vote can go on the next primary or special election, not wait up to 15 months for a general election.
Building and zoning review, streamlined
One Municipal Development Commission replaces three boards, creating a streamlined public review process for building permits.Today: the Municipal Planning Commission, the Architectural Review Board, and the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Shaped by us
Neighbors, Councilmembers, School Board members, Community Relations Committee members and community leaders, working in public.
members
meetings
comments
Read the full ballot text for Issue 37.
Keep Worthington Moving Forward
Vote no on 38
Too extreme: submitted without public comment, not drafted by our Charter Commission
Both say 10%, so what’s the difference?
Heard it’s about apartments? Issue 38 doesn’t approve or block any buildings. It changes how referendums work.
What if both 36 and 38 pass?
The Charter says the amendment with the most votes prevails, so every vote keeps Worthington moving forward!
The risk: a city on pause
Just a few hundred residents could send any Council ordinance or measure to a citywide vote and pause it until then.
needed
decision paused
Yes 35 · 36 · 37 · No 38
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov. 3