ASHVILLE, Ohio — A legal battle over Ashville’s controversial EdgeConneX data center project has reached the Supreme Court of Ohio, where three village residents are asking the state’s highest court to order Ashville officials to place a referendum on the November 2026 ballot.
Laura V. McNamara-Smith, Brian Thomas Meyers, and Allison G. Meade filed an original action for a writ of mandamus on July 14, arguing that Ashville Fiscal Officer April Grube improperly rejected a referendum petition challenging Village Resolution 06-2026.
The lawsuit asks the court to compel Grube to certify the petition to the Pickaway County Board of Elections, allowing village voters to decide whether to approve or reject the resolution during the Nov. 3, 2026 general election.
Petition Gathered More Than Enough Signatures
According to the filing, opponents of the project submitted a certified copy of the referendum petition to the village on April 15 before collecting signatures.
The petition was officially filed May 5 with 875 signatures.
The Pickaway County Board of Elections later determined that 669 signatures belonged to registered Ashville voters. Under Ohio law, only 498 valid signatures—35% of the 1,422 voters who cast ballots for governor in the 2022 election—were required.
Despite meeting the signature requirement, the petition was ultimately rejected by the village.
Why the Village Rejected the Petition
In a June 26 letter referenced in the lawsuit, Fiscal Officer April Grube determined the referendum petition was “insufficient and invalid.”
According to the filing, the village cited two primary reasons:
- Resolution 06-2026 was passed as an emergency measure, making it exempt from referendum.
- The resolution was administrative rather than legislative, meaning it was not subject to voter referendum.
The lawsuit alleges those conclusions are legally incorrect.
The residents further claim the fiscal officer exceeded her authority by making legal determinations that should instead be decided by a court.
Residents Argue Resolution Should Go Before Voters
The complaint argues Ohio law limits a village fiscal officer’s review to determining whether a petition is properly completed, timely filed, and contains enough valid signatures—not deciding whether the underlying legislation is legally subject to referendum.
The filing cites multiple Ohio Supreme Court decisions that, according to the plaintiffs, prohibit municipal officials from making substantive legal determinations regarding referendum petitions.
The lawsuit also argues Resolution 06-2026 was improperly adopted as an emergency measure because the emergency language was merely conclusory and failed to satisfy Ohio law.
Additionally, the plaintiffs contend the resolution is legislative—not administrative—because it establishes a new development framework between the Village of Ashville and EdgeConneX rather than simply carrying out an existing policy.
Resolution Approved EdgeConneX Development Framework
Village Council approved Resolution 06-2026 on April 6.
The measure authorized a development and supply agreement term summary with EdgeConneX for a proposed data center campus on approximately 195 acres within the village.
The project also contemplates a proposed natural gas-powered behind-the-meter energy facility that would require separate approval from the Ohio Power Siting Board.
According to the agreement attached to the lawsuit, EdgeConneX proposed providing as much as $102 million in financial support to the Village of Ashville, Harrison Township, and Teays Valley Local Schools, with the possibility of an additional $74 million tied to future annexation and development agreements.
What Happens Next
The lawsuit asks the Ohio Supreme Court to issue a writ of mandamus ordering Ashville Fiscal Officer April Grube to certify the referendum petition to the Pickaway County Board of Elections.
If the court grants the request, voters could decide the fate of Resolution 06-2026 during the Nov. 3 general election.
The Village of Ashville will have an opportunity to respond to the complaint before the Supreme Court determines whether the extraordinary relief requested is warranted.
It is important to note that the filing contains allegations made by the plaintiffs. The Ohio Supreme Court has not ruled on the merits of the case, and the Village of Ashville has not yet filed its response in the court action.
