Findlay Citizen Press Release: Community Unites in Historic Referendum Effort
FINDLAY - Although our referendum petition did not meet Ohio’s new signature requirement, our community accomplished something remarkable.
In September 2025, HB96 was passed. Within the large bill, a change was slipped in that changed O.R.C. 731.29. This changed the minimum signatures required by citizens to put an issue on the ballot from 10% to 35%.
On June 8, 2026, Holly Frische, Patty Klein, and Robin Welly filed two referendums regarding the annexation and zoning of Shady Grove. This gave the group 24 days to collect 4,417 signatures in November. These referendums were filed because 41 citizens came to City Council on June 2 and voiced valid concerns for reasons not to annex or zone the property M2 multi-family. Their concerns were acknowledged as valid and then ignored with a 7-2 vote in favor of annexation and zoning. The concerns were roadways, traffic, public safety, drainage, property values, and water pressure. The citizens’ voices were not heard or valued by the elected officials who represent them. Residents from across the political spectrum came together around a shared belief that citizens deserve a meaningful voice in local government.
Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and voters with no political affiliation stood side by side in an effort that demonstrated what can happen when a community unites around a common purpose. In just 24 days, volunteers collected more signatures than would have been required under Ohio’s former 10% referendum threshold. However, the increased requirement of 35% ultimately proved too high to reach, but thousands of residents made their voices heard and showed that they care deeply about the future of our community by signing the petitions.
This effort also brought new people into the civic process. Young adults, senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and many residents who had never before participated in local political activities stepped forward to volunteer, collect signatures, and support the campaign. Their involvement is a testament to the growing desire for greater citizen engagement in local government. While this referendum effort has come to an end, the movement has not. The relationships built, the volunteers recruited, and the momentum created over the past month have laid the foundation for future civic engagement.
We are grateful to every volunteer, every signer, and every supporter who believes that residents should have a voice in the decisions that shape our community. Together, we have built a stronger network of engaged citizens committed to improving local government and increasing accountability. This is not the end of the conversation—it is the beginning of a broader movement to ensure that local government remains responsive to the people it serves.
Holly Frische, Patty Klein, Robin Welly
