Supporters of Internet cafes have vowed to take the next step of putting the issue before the voters in a referendum. The deadline to get on the November 2013 ballot is July 3. Given the tight timing and number of signatures required, the referendum will most likely appear, if at all, on the November 2014 ballot.

Governor Kasich signed HB 7 last week, which in effect, will shut down Internet cafes. The law will take effect in 90 days unless supporters of Internet cafes can gather enough signatures for a referendum. The Committee to Protect Ohio Jobs has been formed to spearhead the referendum effort. The first step is to secure 1,000 signatures on a petition. If successful, the next step is a much bigger challenge. In the next 90 days, valid signatures of 231,147 voters from at least half the counties (44) in the state must be secured. If the petition is certified, HB 7 will not take effect until the voters have had their say.