Oppenheimer v. City of Madeira

Plaintiff-appellant, Philip D. Oppenheimer, sought to enjoin the vote on an amendment to the Madeira City Charter (Charter) because copies of the amendment were placed in the mail addressed to “Resident” and not to each elector whose name appeared on the registration books of the last general election held in the city, as required by law. The trial court denied him all relief finding that Madeira had “substantially complied” with the Charter and the Ohio Constitution. We disagree with that judgment.

The facts were stipulated. The Madeira City Council adopted an ordinance requiring that an…