By Jim Siegel
Enquirer Columbus Bureau

AMENDMENT TEXT

"Only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this state and its political subdivisions. This state and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or effect of marriage."

COLUMBUS - The group pushing a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in Ohio likely will be forced to submit additional signatures if it hopes to qualify for the November ballot.

The Secretary of State's Office on Monday reported that 24 percent of the nearly 156,000 signatures certified so far by county boards of elections are invalid.

If the trend continues for the remaining 225,000 signatures, the issue will fall roughly 33,000 votes short of the requirement to make it on the ballot. State officials are still waiting for 31 counties, including Hamilton and Butler, to submit their petitions, which were due Friday.

Phil Burress, chairman of the Ohio Campaign to Protect Marriage, said his group has collected more than 100,000 extra signatures, which he expects is more than enough to satisfy the requirement of 323,000.

"There is not going to be any question that we have enough signatures," he said.

In Warren County, 24 percent of the 10,680 petitions were invalidated, while Clermont County invalidated 28 percent of its 10,744 signatures.

Supporters say the amendment is needed to ensure the courts do not force Ohio to recognize gay marriage or civil unions. Opponents argue the proposal is unnecessary and would damage families and the state economy.

Opponents, a coalition of mainly gay and lesbian advocates that formed Ohioans Protecting the Constitution, continue to file legal challenges in an effort to keep the issue off the ballot.

Attorney Donald McTigue, an elections law expert hired by the group, has filed challenges to the petitions in at least 10 counties. He's alleging a variety of mistakes, including improper witness statements and failing to include the required summary of the amendment certified by the Ohio attorney general.

Burress expects the Ohio Supreme Court to eventually step in and settle whether it's constitutional to require petitions to summarize a 55-word amendment, and whether the issue can go to the ballot even if legal challenges are still pending.

Secretary of State Ken Blackwell must give validation to all signatures by Sept. 23. If the Ohio Campaign to Protect Marriage comes up short, it gets 10 additional days to file signatures.

E-mail jsiegel@enquirer.com