In a blow to the Hometown Democracy effort, a Leon County circuit judge today upheld a change in state law allowing people to revoke their signatures on an initiative petition within 150 days.

The suit was brought by Leslie Blackner and other forces behind Hometown Democracy, which aims to slow growth by requiring voter approval for comprehensive-plan changes.

"The revocation provisions do not place any additional requirement or burden on the elector who intends to sign a petition, or to vote on the initiative once it is placed on the ballot," Judge Charles A. Francis wrote. "The revocation provisions do in fact grant the elector more power over his signature and decision to support the placement of an initiative on the ballot."

Homtetown Democracy will appeal. Said Blackner, "The long knives are out to take Florida Hometown Democracy off the ballot.  I have heard from voters who signed the petition who are being bombarded with lies to get them to revoke.  I wonder how anything to help the average person ever gets accomplished in Florida. "