[updated] BREAKING: Reform Ohio Now campaign scores legal victory
by Hypothetically Speaking, Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 12:47:42 PM EST
Although the Secretary of State's office has okay'd the petitions required to put the 4
Reform Ohio Now constitutional amendments on the ballot Nov. 8, a group of well-connected GOPers have mounted a legal challenge to the signature-gathering method used by petitioners.
Yesterday a hearing was held on the matter, and although the details are few, the Gongwer Report (no link - subscription required) has just released the following news:
The 10th Ohio District Court of Appeals on Friday dismissed a Republican-backed lawsuit to block four election-related constitutional amendments from the fall ballot, Carlo LoParo, spokesman for Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, said.
Opponent group Ohio First had argued that Mr. Blackwell had illegally assumed quasi-judicial powers in a directive to election boards that allowed non-residents to circulate petitions.
We hope to know more about the court's legal decision in a few hours. We will post updates here and on our
website as they become available.
Yes, an appeal is possible to the Supreme Court, but it's chances there would be even worse than what they were in the District Court.
[Update at 12:50 pm] The AP has confirmed the courts decision and has added this new information.
The three-judge panel of the Ohio 10th District Court of Appeals said the state's chief election officer, Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, acted within his jurisdiction when he said out-of-state petition circulators were allowed under state law.
It should be noted that it's only about 9 weeks to the election and the Reform Ohio Now campaign needs volunteers and donations. These initiatives have the potential of opening enormous political possibilities and bringing real change to our corruption-riddled state. The blogosphere will play a key role - perhaps the decisive role - in getting these passed Nov. 8. Please go to the campaign
website and help in any way you can.
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