State ex rel. Essig v. Blackwell

{¶ 1} In this case, we must determine relators’ entitlement to writs of mandamus and prohibition to prevent the Secretary of State from placing a proposed constitutional amendment on Ohio’s November 2, 2004 election ballot. Because we lack jurisdiction over relators’ mandamus claim and because Section lg, Article II of the Ohio Constitution and res judicata bar relators’ prohibition action, we dismiss the mandamus claim and deny the prohibition claim.

{¶ 2} Initiative petitioners, Reverend K. Z. Smith, Lori A. Viars, and Phil Burress, are members of a committee named the Ohio Campaign to…