COLUMBUS – Backers of a proposal to define abortion as murder in Ohio will have to collect another 1,000 signatures if they expect to see the issue on the ballot in November.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine rejected the petition Monday because supporters did not submit enough valid signatures.
The proposed amendment to the state Constitution would legally define abortion as murder and carry the same punishment.
Three people turned in 1,000 signatures to Dewine’s office earlier this month, hoping to get the measure on the ballot in November.
Opponents say — because of Roe vs. Wade and a woman’s protected constitutional right to an abortion federally — Ohio would be facing a costly court battle if the measure were approved.
The submission included 1,006 signatures but only 842 were ruled valid by county boards of election.
If the proposal’s summary language and initial signatures are certified and the Ohio Ballot Board determines whether it consists of a single issue or multiple issues, the supporters would then have to collect signatures from registered voters in each of 44 counties equal to 5 percent of the total vote cast in each county for the office of governor at the last gubernatorial election.