COLUMBUS, Ohio – Supporters of a ballot issue they say would guarantee certain voter protections in the state constitution are closer to getting the measure on the November ballot.
Attorney General Mike DeWine certified the petition Monday for the proposed “Ohio Voters Bill of Rights.”
The supporters changed their summary of the proposal after DeWine initially rejected their petition, saying it was not a fair and truthful statement of the amendment. They added two sentences describing federal law to the summary.
The proposed amendment would expand early voting times on weekends and make other changes to election rules. It is supported by a coalition of black lawmakers, clergy and civil rights leaders.
DeWine had to clear the summary’s phrasing before supporters could continue with their ballot push and collect signatures to get it before voters this fall.
The Ohio Ballot Board still must determine if the amendment contains a single issue or multiple issues.
The petitioners must then collect signatures for each issue from registered voters in each of 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties.