OHIO LEGISLATIVE SERVICE COMMISSION
Office of Research Legislative Budget
www.lsc.ohio.gov and Drafting Office
H.B. 144 Bill Analysis
135th General Assembly
Click here for H.B. 144’s Fiscal Note
Version: As Introduced
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Manchester
Effective date:
Ben Fogle, Attorney
SUMMARY
 Expands the circumstances under which a special election may be held in August.
 Allows the General Assembly to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the
ballot at an August special election, if authorized by a joint resolution.
 Allows a special election in August to hold a congressional special election or special
primary election as contemplated under continuing law.
 Appropriates $20 million to the Secretary of State in FY 2023 to pay the cost of
conducting a special election on August 8, 2023.
DETAILED ANALYSIS
August special elections, generally
The bill expands the circumstances under which a special election may be held on the
first Tuesday after the first Monday in August. Currently, only a political subdivision that is
under a fiscal emergency may place an office, question, or issue on the ballot in August.
Under the bill, the General Assembly may place a proposed constitutional amendment
on the ballot at an August special election, if authorized by a joint resolution under procedures
prescribed by the Ohio Constitution.
Additionally, the bill allows a special election in August for any of the following purposes
related to congressional elections:
April 24, 2023
Office of Research and Drafting LSC Legislative Budget Office
 To hold a special election scheduled by the Governor to fill a vacancy in the U.S. House
of Representatives;1
 To hold a special primary election scheduled by the Governor to nominate party
candidates for a congressional special election scheduled as above;2
 To hold a special primary election scheduled by the Secretary of State to nominate party
candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives when a party’s nominee or
presumptive nominee dies or withdraws before the general election.3
Existing law already appears to allow the Governor and the Secretary of State to schedule
special elections for those purposes on days that are not designated as election days. The bill
explicitly permits them to do so in August.4
Continuing law requires the state to pay the entire cost of a special election held for a
statewide ballot issue or for a congressional special election or special primary election, if no
other offices, questions, or issues are on the ballot at the election.5
Appropriation for August 2023
The bill appropriates $20 million to the Secretary of State in FY 2023 to pay the cost of
conducting a special election on August 8, 2023, in accordance with the bill. (Any issue or office
to appear on the ballot at that election would be separately authorized by a joint resolution
proposing a constitutional amendment or by the Governor for the purpose of a congressional
special election.)6
HISTORY
Action Date
Introduced 03-29-23
ANHB0144IN-135/tl
1 R.C. 3521.03, not in the bill.
2 R.C. 3513.32, not in the bill.
3 R.C. 3513.301 and 3513.312, not in the bill.
4 R.C. 3501.022.
5 R.C. 3501.17(F), 3513.301(C), 3513.312(C), and 3521.03, not in the bill.
6 Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the bill.
P a g e |2 H.B. 144
As Introduced


Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3501.022