COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell said Sept. 29 that a state constitutional amendment to protect marriage has qualified for the Nov. 2 ballot. Blackwell said that 342,212 signatures had been certified — more than the 323,000 required.
The pro-family group that collected the signatures, the Ohio Campaign to Protect Marriage, initially fell 42,000 shy of the required total. But the group submitted an additional 144,000 supplemental signatures — a practice allowed in Ohio.
Meanwhile, Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro, a Republican, said Sept. 27 that he opposes the amendment and believes it would harm the state’s economy.
Petro said the second sentence of the amendment could jeopardize domestic partnership benefits that cities and colleges currently offer, the Associated Press reported.
As many as 11 states could vote on marriage amendments on Nov. 2. (TAB)
Share with others: