A state law giving ballot campaigns 180-days to collect signatures is remaining intact.
This week an appellate court upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging the 180-day rule. It said neither court held jurisdiction.
The case came from a group who had signed an anti-fracking petition outside of the 180-day window and wants its signatures counted.
Attorney Matthew Erard says the rule clashes with provisions on ballot initiatives in the state constitution:
“There is a deliberate effort on the part of the Legislature to restrict the right of citizens initiatives.”
Erard says the group is deciding whether to appeal to the state Supreme Court.
The campaign behind the anti-fracking petition says it will wait to see how the legal fight shakes out before restarting its signature collection.