A three-judge panel of Ohio's Franklin County appeals court is expected to decide Monday afternoon on the validity of petitions used to put a proposal for a constitutional ban on gay marriage on the ballot in Ohio. Opponents of the ban have questioned the authenticity of signatures in about 40 counties, but have been refused review by many local courts because the challenges are too close to the November election. In the current suit, amendment opponents argue that the petitions were unconstitutional because they lacked a summary of amendment's intent, and that Ohio Sec. of State Kenneth Blackwell should not have submitted the petitions to the county elections boards for certification. Following is the language of the proposed amendment to Ohio's constitution:

"Only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this state and its political subdivisions. This state and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or effect of marriage."