Group challenging Ohio disclosure law for petition collectors

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A federal judge has been asked to block an Ohio law requiring paid petition circulators to fill out forms disclosing their identities.

The move is being led by a group seeking a statewide vote next year to overturn a financial rescue for Ohio's two nuclear power plants approved in July.

Cleveland.com reports an attorney for Ohioans Against Corporate Bailouts argued Friday the disclosure law is a burden to free speech rights.

A lawyer for the Ohio Attorney General's Office says the law only requires paid circulation managers, supervisors and organizers to submit the form, not circulators.

Group attorney Curt Hartman says he's concerned the petition effort could be invalidated in court if local prosecutors disagree or misinterpret the disclosure law.

The group faces an Oct. 21 deadline to submit petitions.