Ohio Supreme Court: No extra time for redistricting map repeal

COLUMBUS (AP) — Democrats won’t have extra time to try to repeal Ohio’s new congressional districts under a Thursday state Supreme Court decision.

The court denied Democrats’ request to re-start the 90-day clock to gather signatures to put the map before voters in 2012.

Democrats asked for extra time after the court stated on Oct. 14 that they had the right to try to repeal the GOP-drawn congressional map. Democrats argue the map unfairly favors Republican candidates.

Ohio’s Republican elections chief and state attorney general had denied that effort when Democrats submitted their initial request on Sept. 26.

The court’s decision means the 90-day clock started ticking in September instead of October, giving Democrats until Christmas Day to collect the needed 231,000 signatures.

The court gave no explanation for its decision.