VOTE411 Voter Guide

Shall a commission be chosen to frame a charter? Voters would receive copies of any proposed charter and vote for or against it in the coming year. What is a Charter City? Now Marion city government follows the basic Ohio law model for any city. Voters can modify their city government to become a charter city. Over 250 Ohio cities are now charter cities. How? Voters elect a 15 member charter commission to propose a new government design. The charter commission’s city plan is mailed to registered voters who vote it in or out. The charter can set which city offices will be elected or appointed. Elected officials cannot be dismissed. But if appointed, job qualifications and requirements can be set and holders can be hired and fired. A charter city might be lead by an elected mayor and city council; OR have an appointed city manager as administrator and an elected mayor who presides over city council; OR be lead by a group of commissioners (like the county.) Anything not specifically covered by the charter will follow Ohio laws basic city model. A city charter can be abolished or amended. A charter amendment can be proposed by 2/3 of the city council OR by a petition of 10% of registered voters.