DeWine rejects petition paperwork on prayer in school

COLUMBUS — Attorney General Mike DeWine has again rejected petition paperwork filed by a Columbus-area group that wants to amend the state constitution to protect prayer in public schools.

In a letter Wednesday, DeWine wrote that the rejection was for a technical defect – part-petitions submitted by supporters were not properly labeled to include the text of the amendment and summary language.

The decision means the Coalition to Return Prayer to Public Schools will have to resubmit its Amendment to Return Prayer to Our Public Schools for further consideration.

The proposal would add language to the Ohio Constitution ensuring citizens’ right to “express their religious beliefs.” It reads, “schoolchildren have the right to pray and/or acknowledge their religious beliefs voluntarily in their schools.”