Akron Voters to Decide on Housing Issues 11 and 12

The upcoming November 2026 ballot includes proposals that would ban housing application fees and restrict background check criteria.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in City Hall

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a geometric brick building facade, evoking the institutional nature of local housing policy reform. — Akron voters will cast ballots in November 2026 on local Issues 11 and 12, which propose sweeping changes to city rental application requirements. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should your city enact stricter regulations to protect renters even if it risks reducing housing supply?

Akron voters will head to the polls in November 2026 to decide on ballot Issues 11 and 12, which aim to address housing costs and tenant rights. The measures follow a petition drive that secured over 14,000 signatures to bring these proposals before the public.

Why it matters

The proposals target affordability in a city where over half of residents report difficulty meeting monthly expenses. The debate pits housing advocates focused on cost of living against concerns regarding landlord investment and rental market availability.

Proponents successfully gathered over 14,000 signatures to qualify the measures for the ballot. More than 50% of Akron residents report they are currently unable to afford their monthly cost of living.

The players

The Freedom BLOC

This local advocacy group organized the effort to collect signatures and draft the proposed housing regulations.

Shammas Malik

As the Mayor of Akron, he has publicly stated his opposition to both proposed ballot measures.

The details

Issue 11 seeks to ban application fees and permit renters to choose their security deposit payment methods. Issue 12 would establish criminal history as a protected class, though it includes specific exemptions for individuals convicted of arson or sex offenses.

The Freedom BLOC collected signatures throughout recent months.
Mayor Shammas Malik expressed opposition to the ballot measures earlier this month.
Akron voters will cast their ballots in November 2026.

Political Context

Opponents of the measures argue that these policies could discourage landlord investment and reduce the overall availability of rental housing in the city. They warn that mandated changes to deposit and screening processes may result in unintended cost increases for tenants.

If approved, Issue 11 could lower upfront moving costs by eliminating application fees and allowing for more flexible security deposit arrangements. Issue 12 would fundamentally change the screening process for prospective tenants by restricting how criminal history is considered in housing applications.

The takeaway

Voters face a choice between legislative efforts to lower entry barriers for renters and the potential risk of reduced housing inventory. Residents should review the specific exemptions within Issue 12 to understand how the protected status will function in practice.