State ex rel. Wilen v. Kent (Slip Opinion)

{¶ 1} The relators 1 in this expedited election case seek a writ of mandamus to compel respondent, the city of Kent, to certify a proposed charter amendment to the Portage County Board of Elections for inclusion on the November 3, 2015 ballot. We grant the writ.

Background

{¶ 2} Relators circulated a petition to amend the city charter of Kent. The proposed amendment was entitled “Kent Initiative Calling on Congress to Amend the U.S. Constitution to Establish That Corporations Are Not People and Money Is Not Speech.” On the advice of the city law director, the city council voted against…