Columbus, OH – Today, the Columbus Safety Collective Campaign delivered nearly 30,000 signatures for The Community Crisis Response Amendment to appear on the City of Columbus’ May 2026 primary election ballot. 

The campaign was required to submit 12,533 valid signatures of registered voters in the City of Columbus between January 12, 2026 and March 2, 2026 to qualify for the May 2026 primary election ballot. With the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and dozens of coalition partners, the campaign collected more than double the number of required signatures to place a citizen-initiated charter amendment on the ballot in Columbus. 

The Community Crisis Response Amendment will establish a fully-funded alternative Community Crisis Response Division within the Department of Health to complement existing city response programs and better meet the needs of community members experiencing behavioral and mental health crises. The proposal ensures that trained social workers, behavioral health professionals, peer supporters, and EMTs will provide on-site screening, assess the situation, stabilize if necessary, and above all, de-escalate situations to reduce violence and save lives.

The city clerk will transmit the signatures to the Franklin County Board of Elections and City Attorney to review for validation and legal sufficiency. Once the total number of valid signatures is deemed sufficient by the City Clerk, the item will be referred to City Council to place the amendment on the May 2026 ballot. 

Statement from the Executive Committee of the Columbus Safety Collective Campaign:

“The overwhelming enthusiasm of volunteers who helped collect signatures shows that Columbus residents are ready to improve public safety and prioritize community care in our city. Today’s filing is a demonstration of the overwhelming grassroots support for a reimagination of public safety. The Columbus Safety Collective Campaign, alongside our coalition of local and statewide partner organizations, is a powerful community-driven effort that has motivated Columbus voters to make their voices heard and fully engage with the democratic process.

With today’s signature turn-in, we are one step closer to ensuring that our community members have the necessary resources and processes in place to feel safe when asking for help during mental health emergencies. The Community Crisis Response Amendment would allow the city to offer services from trained health professionals and community responders that actually prioritize safety. As we wait for certification, we celebrate the Columbus residents who signed our petition to put this proposal on the primary ballot and transform Columbus for the better. The Columbus Safety Collective Campaign is by community, for community — and we will continue to engage Columbus voters to pass this amendment in May and build the community we want to see.”