The State Ex Rel. Carrier Et Al. v. Hilliard City Council

{¶ 1} In this expedited election case, relators, Les Carrier, Andrew Teater, Paul Lambert, Tracy Kovalchik, and Larry Earman (collectively, “Carrier”), seek a writ of mandamus to compel respondent, the Hilliard City Council, to approve an ordinance placing a proposed city-charter amendment on the March 15, 2016 ballot. We grant the writ.

Background

{¶ 2} The essential facts are not in dispute. On November 2, 2015, a petition to amend the city charter was submitted to the clerk of the Hilliard City Council. The proposed initiative would add two sections to the Hilliard City Charter.

{¶ 3} Each…