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Ohio Supreme Court Denies Democrats Full 90-Day Window to Collect Referendum Signatures
The Ohio Supreme Court unanimously turned down a request from Democrats for more time to collect signatures to force a 2012 referendum on Republican-drawn congressional districts. The Court affirmed that the 90-day signature-gathering window began September 26, when the redistricting law took effect, rather than October 14, when the justices ruled that the new map was subject to a possible statewide vote. The Republican-dominated court gave no explanation for denying Democrats' request.
Attorney General Mike DeWine and Secretary of State Jon Husted, both Republicans, had refused to let Democrats begin gathering signatures in early October, arguing that the redistricting law contained an appropriation exempting it from a referendum until the high court ruled otherwise.
State Democrats must collect 231,234 signatures for a November 2012 referendum. DeWine and Husted's actions have given them 18 fewer days to do so.
In a similar 2009 case, justices gave extra signature-collecting time to opponents of then-Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland's plan authorizing electronic slot machines at horse tracks, saying a full 90-day period would allow LetOhioVote.org a "meaningful opportunity" to circulate petitions.
Despite the setback, state Rep. Kathleen Clyde, a member of the Ohioans for Fair Districts ballot committee, says she has no doubt that they will be able to gather the necessary signatures.
