Ballot Issue Campaigns Get Lifeline from Judge

It seemed that general election ballot issues — including marijuana and minimum wage measures — would not be able to proceed in 2020 due to signature collection challenges related to the pandemic; however, a federal district court judge has ordered the secretary of state to allow electronic signatures from electors.

That is a significant departure from the norm and makes the collection of required signatures much easier. This is of concern as ballot issues proliferate especially by well-funded special interests. Read more about this from the Columbus Dispatch.

We will discuss the issue at OMA’s June 3 Government Affairs Committee meeting and monitor any appeal activity. 5/21/2020