The Ohio Supreme Court has agreedto expedite a case from the group trying to put a voter rights amendment on the November ballot. Ohioans For Secure And Fair Elections is seeking to appeal a decision by the Ohio Ballot Board to split their measure into four different initiatives.
The Secure and Fair Elections Amendment would require 28 days early voting, automatic voter registration with the BMV and same-day registration and voting.
Earlier this week, the Ohio Ballot Board said this measure did not follow the single-issue requirement and voted, by a Republican majority, to split this initiative four ways. Each petition must contain 442,958 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.
Supporters of the amendment argued in its appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court that it does abide by the single-issue rule because all measures relate to voting.
Republican leaders who voted to split the issue say it was to avoid "logrolling" where an unpopular measure is tied to a popular one.
Under a schedule set by the state's highest court Friday, Secretary of State Frank LaRose must file a response by Tuesday, March 10. Briefs and evidence must be filed by each party the following week.
The group is also moving forward with proposing language for four new petitions.
