MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon residents collected approximately 747 signatures to put a referendum on the Edgewood Road improvement project legislation.
Petition collectors had 30 days to collect signatures, needing 10% (497) of registered city voters. April 23 was the deadline.
Petitioners were able to collect signatures due to the 30-day wait period before the legislation could go into effect.
Once collected, signatures are sent to the city auditor, who transmits the petition to the Knox County Board of Elections. The public can view the petitions for 10 days before the board of elections receives them.
The board of elections can submit the measure for approval or rejection at the next general election, according to Ohio Revised Code.
The Edgewood Road improvement resolution passed 4-3 with councilmembers Amber Keener, Tammy Woods and Janis Seavolt opposing.
Dennis Swingle, a Mount Vernon resident and opponent of the legislation, said he was “a little bit surprised” at how many signatures were collected.
Around 24 to 25 petitions collected signatures, Swingle said, noting it was all volunteer-driven.
Swingle said his team collected signatures by knocking on doors, sending emails, or having people show up at his door.
This independent, local reporting provided by our Report for America Corps members is brought to you in part by the generous support of the Knox County Foundation and Kokosing.