Internet café backers are trying to block from taking effect a law effectively banning the establishments. Supporters recently launched a petition drive to stop the law and put it before voters next year. But early estimates show they may not have the 231-thousand valid petition signatures necessary to get the measure onto the ballot. Republican Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted says his office will know next week. Husted tells Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler if the backers are short, they will have 10 days to gather more signatures, which would be sent back to county boards of election for verification.
A group called The Committee to Protect Ohio Jobs submitted nearly 434-thousand signatures earlier this month. But a check of boards of election in Ohio's largest counties shows 40 percent of the signatures are valid.