Members of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus want references to slavery removed from the state's constitution.
On Wednesday, the caucus announced a resolution that seeks to address a section of the constitution that says "there shall be no slavery in this State; nor involuntary servitude, unless for the punishment of crime."
State Sen. Charleta Tavares, a Columbus Democrat, says striking that exception for crime would help the state rid itself of "any vestiges of our dark and brutal past."
The legislature would have to act quickly on the resolution for it to appear on November ballots. Wednesday was expected to be the last voting session for lawmakers until the fall.
The resolution requires a three-fifths majority in both the House and Senate to get it before voters.