COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio's elections chief says a liberal policy group has no legal grounds for challenging his certification of a fall ballot measure that seeks to exempt the state from provisions in the federal health care overhaul.
In a response filed Tuesday to ProgressOhio's lawsuit, Secretary of State Jon Husted says it's improper for the group to challenge the signatures submitted to get the measure on the ballot. He questioned the group's contention that extra information was included on petitions.
He says arguing petitions are "somehow invalid because circulators provided too much information goes against the intent of law, which is designed to ensure full disclosure and transparency."
ProgressOhio told the Ohio Supreme Court its review of signatures found 69,000 that were invalid. If its challenge is successful, the measure's proponents will have 10 days to collect more signatures.