Supporters of changing the way state political maps are drawn say they’ve collected more than half the roughly 600,000 signatures they’ll need to get an amendment on the 2016 ballot.

 

The Independent Maps coalition said Tuesday that it’s collected more than 310,000 signatures during a five-month petition drive.

 

The proposed constitutional amendment needs about 290,000 valid signatures in order to get on the ballot. The coalition wants to obtain more than twice that to give it a wide cushion when opponents inevitably question the validity of some signatures.

 

“This time I think we’re in a very, very strong position,” said Cynthia Canary, executive director of Independent Maps. “We have a much more focused amendment. We started this campaign much earlier. I think we are really well-positioned this campaign.”

 

Click Here to read more.