Group seeking to recall Nelsonville's charter City Council files petitions with the city

A group seeking to recall Nelsonville’s charter City Council has filed recall petitions with the city clerk, a step that could trigger a special election if enough signatures are found valid. The effort comes amid an ongoing legal and political dispute over Nelsonville’s form of government. Voters approved a November 2024 ballot initiative, Issue 23, to abolish the charter and return to a statutory system. However, in August 2025 the charter council repealed Issue 23, citing a lack of a transition plan, prompting lawsuits that remain unresolved. The Ohio Supreme Court is currently reviewing related issues. Two councils have operated in parallel since January—each claiming legitimacy—because the statutory council lacks access to City Hall and city accounts. Recall organizers say the clerk has 10 days to verify signatures.