Group asks court to require vote on Ohio slots

July 20, 2009 at 9:05p.m.

COLUMBUS (AP) — A conservative group is challenging Ohio’s plan to put slot machines at racetracks.

LetOhioVote.Org asked the Ohio Supreme Court in a filing today to give voters a chance to approve the plan. The committee said it has begun gathering signatures to place the gambling measure on the ballot in November 2010.

The committee, whose members include former Republican state Rep. Tom Brinkman, said the actions of the governor and Legislature ignored the will of the people.

Gov. Ted Strickland issued an executive order on July 13 that expands the Ohio Lottery to include slot machines at the state’s seven horse racing tracks. The Legislature clarified Strickland’s authority to do so in the budget plan the governor signed on Friday.