(A) When the general assembly adopts a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment, it may, by resolution, designate a group of members who voted in support of the resolution to prepare arguments for the proposed amendment, and a group of members who voted in opposition to the resolution to prepare arguments against the proposed amendment. If no members voted in opposition to the resolution, or if the general assembly chooses not to designate a group of members to prepare arguments for the proposed amendment or chooses not to designate a group of members to prepare arguments against the proposed amendment, the Ohio ballot board shall prepare or designate a group of persons to prepare the relevant arguments. All arguments prepared under this division shall be filed with the secretary of state not later than eighty days before the date of the election. No argument shall exceed three hundred words.

(B)

(1) If the group of members of the general assembly or other group of persons designated under division (A) of this section fail to prepare and file their arguments in support of or in opposition to the proposed amendment by the eightieth day before the date of the election, the secretary of state shall notify the Ohio ballot board that those arguments have not been so prepared and filed. The board then shall prepare the missing arguments or designate a group of persons to prepare those arguments. All arguments prepared under this division shall be filed with the secretary of state not later than seventy-five days before the date of the election. No argument shall exceed three hundred words.

(2) If the Ohio ballot board fails to provide for the preparation of missing arguments under division (B)(1) of this section after being notified by the secretary of state that one or more arguments have not been timely prepared and filed, the positions of the four appointed members of the board shall be considered vacant, and new members shall be appointed in the manner provided for original appointments.

Effective Date: 2002 HB445 12-23-2002; 05-02-2006; 2007 HB119 09-29-2007 .