Ohio Code § 503.02
Ohio Code § 503.02. Reproduced from the official Ohio Revised Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.
§ 503.02.
(A) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the board of county commissioners may
change the boundaries of any civil township, or partition any township among other
townships within the county, by attaching a part of one township to another, by dividing
one township and attaching the parts to other townships, or by laying off and designating
a new township from the territory of one or more townships of the same county or from
territory not before included in a civil township, when it is made to appear necessary
or expedient by a petition for that purpose, signed by a majority of the electors
residing within the bounds of the townships to be affected by the partition or division,
as determined by the number of votes cast in those townships for the office of governor
at the most recent general election for that office. If the board receives a petition to partition a township that has adopted a limited
home rule government under Chapter 504. of the Revised Code, signed by a majority
of the electors residing in that township, the board shall certify the question of
whether or not the township shall remain intact to the board of elections. The board of elections shall determine the validity and sufficiency of the signatures
on the petition and, if there are enough valid signatures, shall place the question
on the ballot at a special election to be held on the day of the next general or primary
election in the township occurring at least ninety days after the petition is filed,
for a vote of the electors within that township. If a majority of those voting vote against keeping the township intact, the board
of county commissioners shall proceed to partition the township. If a majority of those voting vote for keeping the township intact, the board of
county commissioners shall not partition the township and shall deny the petition. (B) If a township is divided or partitioned under this section, the board of county commissioners
shall apportion the funds in the township's treasury to the township to which portions
of the divided or partitioned township are attached, or to the new townships established. This apportionment may take into account the taxable property valuation, population,
or size of the portions created by the division or partition, as well as any other
readily ascertainable criteria.
Source: official Ohio text · Last verified 2026-08-27
At a glance
- Citation: Ohio Revised Code § 503.02
- Jurisdiction: Ohio
- Code: Ohio Revised Code
- Text: transcribed from the official source (verify below)
Verify the text
Statute text is transcribed from the official Ohio Revised Code. Confirm it against the primary source before relying on it:
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed Ohio attorney.
Common questions
What is the source of Ohio Revised Code § 503.02?
The text above is transcribed from the Ohio Revised Code, the codified statutes of Ohio. The official publisher link appears under "Verify the text" on this page.
What subject does Ohio Revised Code § 503.02 address?
It addresses the rule set out in the section text. Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.
Is Ohio Revised Code § 503.02 still in force?
Statutes are amended, repealed, and renumbered every session. Confirm the current version at the official Ohio source before relying on this text.
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