Elections Board OKs Signatures For Nationwide Arena Effort

The Franklin County Board of Elections has given a big legal win to activists hoping to end the city of Columbus’ purchase contract for Nationwide Arena. The board on Wednesday said activists have gathered enough valid petition signatures to ask voters if they want to end the purchase contract. Payments would only resume if approved in a second election. It could be a complicated fight though: City attorneys aren’t completely sold the two-election tactic is legal, and Columbus is one of several entities involved in the arena purchase. The other contracts would not be affected by the vote.