Ward representation issue rejected

The Franklin County Board of Elections says a group seeking to add ward representation to Columbus City Council failed to collect enough valid petition signatures to get the issue on the November ballot. The board says evidence of fraud by petition circulators hired by the group led to a
discussion of possible criminal charges. A group called The Coalition for Responsive Government wants council changed from seven at-large members to four at-large and seven ward members. The group collected 84-hundred of the more than 19-thousand valid signatures needed to put the issue on the fall ballot. Council President Andy Ginther says the panel last night voted against placing the charter change on the ballot. Had enough petition signatures been validated, council would have been
required by law to approve the issue for the ballot.