A group of citizens pushing to eliminate property taxes in Ohio said Thursday they have collected about 305,000 signatures—roughly 108,000 short of the legal requirement—as they work toward a July 1 deadline.
Brian Massie, who leads the Official Committee to Abolish Ohio’s Property Taxes, said organizers have met the requirement to secure a sufficient number of signatures in 44 of the state’s 88 counties. This could make it easier to gather additional signatures going forward without having to focus on geographic distribution.
“Help us push back against the socialist tyranny that has taken over the Ohio statehouse,” he said. “If we fall short of our 620,000 goal, we will decide if we will risk turning in all the signatures, hoping we have met the required signature count.”
The figures Massie shared, which remain unverified, suggest that what some view as a quixotic idea could have a real chance of becoming political reality. At the same time, Massie openly acknowledged the strong possibility of falling short. Campaigns usually aim to exceed the required number of signatures since officials often rule some invalid.
If organizers meet the roughly 413,000-signature requirement by July 1, voters statewide would decide the issue of repealing property taxes on the 2026 ballot.
These signature claims serve as a warning to Ohio state government leaders, school officials, and others invested in the state’s finances. Eliminating property taxes would remove $20 billion in funding for schools, libraries, social services, emergency response, and other public services.
The press conference featured unusual rhetoric and theatrics. Organizers held it inside a residential home in Geauga County designed to resemble a mock Oval Office of the White House. Two of the five committee spokespeople wore sunglasses. Massie signed what he called an “Ohioans Declaration of Independence.” He referenced the Boston Tea Party, called for creating a Department of Government Efficiency in Ohio, and proposed consolidating K-12 schools.
Massie dismissed the idea that organizers should “replace” the billions in property tax revenue the state collects each year and repeatedly described Ohio as a “socialist” state.
Massie said the group would decide within a couple of months whether to submit the signatures they have gathered or save them for a possible second attempt next year.
“I’m thinking probably the middle of June, will probably hold another press conference, or we will issue a press release,” Massie said.
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