Stow City charter review yields two ballot wins; council still weighing three proposals

Presenters described outcomes from Stow City’s 2025 Charter Review Commission and how extensive public engagement shaped the process.

The commission produced nine charter proposals. Two proposals were advanced to the ballot and passed with what presenters described as overwhelming voter support; presenters said three additional proposals are currently being deliberated in city council.

Drew Riley, identified in the presentation as Stow’s elected law director, placed the commission’s work in recent local legal context, recounting that in 2020 sixteen proposed charter amendments did not reach the ballot because of council action and litigation that went to the Ohio Supreme Court. "So that's where we started," Riley said, contrasting the earlier outcome with the 2025 commission’s results.

Officials emphasized the commission’s use of the National Civic League’s model city charter as a guide and said the commission held 19 public meetings and two town halls to broaden participation. Presenters credited civic groups, including Citizens for Nonpartisan Politics, with keeping deliberations active.

Presenters did not provide the text of the ballot measures during the presentation or specific vote totals; they described results only as "overwhelming" support for the two measures that reached voters and said council deliberations continue on the remaining proposals.