Akron · Ballot measures · Published 2026-10-05 · Reviewed 2026-10-21

What Akron’s three charter amendments (Issues 11, 12, 13) would do — and the mayor’s stated positions

Akron voters decide three City Charter amendments on Election Day (Nov. 3, 2026), all drafted by the local organizing group Freedom BLOC via petition — not by the city administration. Issue 11 bans landlord application fees and requires security deposits be spread over three or six months, with criminal liability for owners who don’t notify tenants. Issue 12 bars landlords from considering criminal records except for registered arsonists or sex offenders. Issue 13 changes police oversight: Civilian Police Oversight Board appointments partly from the board itself after consultation with a limited set of civic groups; mandatory city responses to Independent Police Auditor recommendations within 45 days with a dialogue process on disagreement; and purported subpoena power for the board, with noted legal questions about conflicts with the police union contract and state labor law. Mayor Malik stated he believes Issues 11 and 12 should be rejected as written (citing rent-increase and public-safety concerns), and said he will not encourage support or opposition to Issue 13, while defending his administration’s record of responding to every auditor recommendation. He committed to introducing council legislation on the housing topics before end of 2026 if 11 and 12 fail.

What it means for residents

Practical impact

These are permanent charter changes if passed — the city’s fundamental law, amendable only by another election. Issue 13 directly shapes how police discipline oversight works: who sits on the oversight board, how fast the administration must answer the auditor, and whether the board can compel testimony. Read the official release below for the mayor’s full reasoning on each issue; this summary takes no position on any measure.

Key facts

Verification record

On ballot

Election Day, Nov. 3, 2026 — Issues 11, 12, 13

Drafter

Freedom BLOC (petition-driven); city administration not involved in drafting

Issue 11

Ban landlord application fees; security deposits spread over 3–6 months; criminal liability for non-notification

Issue 12

No criminal-record screening by landlords, except registered arsonists/sex offenders

Issue 13

Police oversight: board appointment changes; 45-day mandatory responses to auditor recommendations; purported subpoena power (legal questions noted re: union contract/state labor law)

Mayor’s stated positions

Reject 11 and 12 as written; neutral on 13

Official source

Show the work

City of Akron release: Mayor Malik’s positions (Oct. 5, 2026)

The official announcement remains the primary record. The summary is an independent rewrite and must preserve this link.

FAQ

Common questions

Does this page endorse a vote?

No. Towpath Civic takes no position on ballot measures. This record summarizes what each issue would do and what city officials have stated, with links to the official release.

Why does Issue 13 mention “purported” subpoena power?

That is the language of the mayor’s official release, which notes exceptions and legal questions about whether officers could be subpoenaed given the police union contract and state labor law.

Corrections

Accuracy and review

Every published summary will record its verification source, publication time, last-review time, and any correction. Errors will be corrected visibly rather than silently rewritten.