A statewide campaign to eliminate property taxes in Ohio has officially begun collecting signatures, and efforts are now underway in Lorain County. The initiative, led by the group Citizens for Property Tax Reform, is working to place a proposed amendment on the November 2025 ballot that would ban the taxation of real property in the state.
The petition effort follows certification from the Ohio Attorney General earlier this month, which allowed the group to begin collecting signatures. Organizers are seeking to gather approximately 600,000 signatures by July 1, with the goal of meeting the state’s requirement of over 413,000 valid signatures from at least 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties.
Locally, residents in Lorain County have begun engaging with the campaign. While no large-scale petition events have been officially announced in the area, the group has confirmed that it is mobilizing volunteers across Ohio, including in Lorain County communities. Interest in the petition has been observed in local online forums and social media groups, where residents have asked where and how to sign.
Supporters of the proposed amendment argue that the current property tax system places a heavy financial burden on homeowners, particularly those on fixed incomes. Opponents of the effort, including some public officials and education advocates, have raised concerns about how schools and local services would be funded if property taxes were eliminated.
According to Citizens for Property Tax Reform, existing language in the Ohio Revised Code provides for alternate funding mechanisms. However, the proposal has drawn significant scrutiny over the feasibility of replacing the revenue generated by property taxes, which amounted to over $18 billion statewide in 2023.
In response to the campaign, some lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at reforming the property tax system. These include proposals to freeze rates at recent levels and to restrict certain levy practices.
If the signature threshold is met and verified by state election officials, Ohio voters will have the opportunity to vote on the constitutional amendment in the November 2025 election.
More information about the campaign, including how to sign the petition or get involved, can be found at reformpropertytax.com.