HB 458 Summary

• Amends section 3501.01 of the Revised Code to add definitions for "circulator" and "nonstatewide candidate" to restrict petition signature gathering.

• Defines "circulator" as a person who gathers signatures on petitions for lawful purposes unrelated to candidate elections, or on behalf of statewide candidates (governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor of state, treasurer of state, attorney general, or supreme court judge).

• Prohibits circulators from gathering signatures on behalf of nonstatewide candidates (those seeking any elective office in Ohio except the seven statewide offices listed).

• Defines "nonstatewide candidate" as any person seeking elective office in Ohio except for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor of state, treasurer of state, attorney general, or supreme court judge.

• Repeals the existing version of section 3501.01 and replaces it with the amended version containing these new restrictions and definitions.