Akron early voting results show support for housing, police oversight reforms

Ohio PoliticsTwo of the proposed charter amendments will offer immediate financial relief and anti-discrimination protections to renters. The third proposed amendment aims to strengthen the structure of the Citizen's Police Oversight Board.John Kuntz, cleveland.comBy Megan Becka, special to cleveland.comAKRON, Ohio – Akron voters are showing support for the three proposed charter amendments on the Nov. 3 ballot, according to early, unofficial election results.Two of the proposed charter amendments would offer immediate financial relief (Issue 11) and anti-discrimination protections (Issue 12) to renters. The third proposed amendment (Issue 13) would strengthen the civilian police oversight structure Akron voters approved in 2022 following the shooting of Jayland Walker.Early election results include totals from in-person early voting and absentee ballots by mail. Early results are based on 74,167 ballots cast. There are 376,205 registered voters in the county, according to the Summit County Board of Elections website.Here’s a look at the number of votes cast for, and against, each proposed amendment so far, according to unofficial election results:Issue 11This proposed housing amendment would require landlords to offer three- or six-month security deposit installment plans and prohibit retaliation for using them. The amendment would also prohibit application, screening, credit-check and background-check fees that price working families out of housing.Yes votes: 13,175 (57.79%)No votes: 9,622 (42.21%)Issue 12This proposed amendment establishes criminal history and source of income as protected classes in housing, with the exception of convicted sex offenders and arson offenders. If passed, this amendment would grant the Akron Civil Rights Commission jurisdiction over all real estate discrimination claims arising in Akron and require City Council to enact corresponding legislation within 90 days of amendment approval.Yes votes: 11,680 (51.28%)No votes: 11,098 (48.72%)Issue 13This proposed amendment would change the composition and board member-appointment process of the Citizen’s Police Oversight Board by reducing the number of members appointed by City Council and requiring the Board to select one-third of its own members from a preselected list provided by a committee composed of individuals who are members of a qualifying civil rights organization. The proposed amendment would also establish procedures and timing requirements for the mayor, chief of police and City Council to respond to recommendations made by the Office of the Independent Police Auditor and grant the auditor charter-level subpoena power.Yes votes: 13,445 (59.10%)No votes: 9,304 (40.90%)Republican Julie McNabb builds lead in Medina County commissioner raceNorth Royalton voters show strong support for expanded EMS levy in early resultsWadsworth school income tax trails narrowly in early election resultsVoters in northern Summit County weigh in on 13 key ballot issues: early resultsStrongsville school levy trending toward passage as district warns of $15.2M in cuts without itWant more Akron news? Sign up for cleveland.com’s Rubber City Update, an email newsletter delivered at 5:30 a.m. Wednesdays.Megan Becka is a freelance reporter covering Akron and Summit County news for cleveland.com. Her work covers a wide range of topics that impact county residents including: government, education, healthcare and...