OCA Statement on Richland Referendum May 2026

Bella Bogin


May 06, 2026

Ohio Citizen Action was proud to stand with the dedicated residents of Richland County in this fight for property rights and government accountability, and tonight's result does not change that.

We have been working alongside an extraordinary group of local residents who refused to accept a decision that was made for them and without them. They educated their neighbors and forced a countywide conversation that would not have happened otherwise. Regardless of the vote count, that kind of work and commitment matters.

The evidence that emerged this week confirming the role of fossil fuel industry operatives in pushing this ban should trouble every Richland County resident, regardless of how they voted. This community deserved a fair process, and the fight to bring that back to the county is not over.

Ohio Citizen Action will continue to stand with communities across the state who are fighting for a fair process and the right to have a say in decisions that affect their lives and their land. The local residents responsible for the No Ban on Property Rights campaign were an inspiration to us and to the entire state of Ohio.