COLUMBUS, Ohio – A proposed constitutional amendment repealing part of Ohio’s ban on same-sex marriage has gotten another stamp of approval from elections officials, though supporters say voters will probably not see it on a ballot this year.
The Ohio Ballot Board, chaired by Secretary of State Jon Husted, on Tuesday certified that the “Freedom to Marry” amendment consists of one issue, clearing the way for backers to collect 385,247 petition signatures, equal to 10 percent of the total vote cast for governor in 2010, needed to place the measure on the ballot.
A spokesman for FreedomOhio, which is proposing the ballot issue, has said the group will probably not push to put it for voters this year, preferring to circulate a petition that will gather more support.
The proposed amendment repeals part of the ban on same-sex marriage in Ohio, but grants churches and clergy the right to refuse to perform the ceremonies.