Published: Tuesday, August 1, 2006
Foes: Signature collectors mislead
Proponents of the ballot issue say the purpose of the petitions is clearly stated.
COLUMBUS (AP) — Opponents of a ballot issue to put slot machines at Ohio's seven horse racing tracks said Monday that workers collecting signatures for the issue are misleading people they approach to sign the petitions.
The opponents sent a letter to Ken Blackwell, the Republican candidate for governor and Ohio's chief elections official, and Attorney General Jim Petro asking them to investigate "the pervasive pattern of deception" by the signature collectors.
Tom Smith, director of public policy for the Ohio Council of Churches, said he was approached at a suburban Columbus library by a man collecting signatures for the Ohio Learn and Earn Committee, which is backing the slots proposal.
The man, whom Smith did not identify, told him the petitions were for a ballot issue that would provide college scholarships, Smith said. When asked if the issue would involve gambling expansion, the man answered no, Smith said.
The petitions Learn and Earn are circulating mention gambling, "right on the front," said Linda Siefkas, a spokeswoman for the group. She acknowledged that there have been complaints about some of those gathering signatures, but no one has provided any names.
Ohio law says no person shall "misrepresent the contents, purpose, or effect of the petition or declaration for the purpose of persuading a person to sign or refrain from signing the petition or declaration."
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