A coalition pushing to block new regulations for the payday-lending industry filed an additional 218,855 signatures yesterday, making it likely the referendum will qualify for the November ballot.

Even if the lenders' signature validation rate remains poor, the group, Ohioans for Financial Freedom, is expected to net the more than 55,000 names still required to reach the 241,366 threshold and make the ballot. The group also must get signatures equaling at least 3 percent of the ballots cast in the 2006 gubernatorial election in 44 counties.

The group turned in 422,000 names in late August, but county boards of elections invalidated about 56 percent of them. Payday lenders also met the 3 percent threshold in only 33 counties.

"We are covered everywhere," said Kim Norris, spokeswoman for the coalition.

"It's clear Ohioans are enthusiastic about a 'vote no' on Issue 5, because they're tired of government inserting itself where it is not needed."

Payday-lending opponents, who are urging a "yes" vote on Issue 5, have said for weeks that they expected the industry to gather enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. County elections boards have five days to check the new signatures.

Payday lenders are trying to overturn part of House Bill 545. If a majority votes "no," lenders could continue to charge a 391 percent annual interest rate ($15 per $100 borrowed on a two-week loan). If a majority votes "yes," lenders would be limited to 28 percent under the bill, or perhaps 28 percent plus a $15 origination fee, as permitted under Ohio's Small Loan Act.

Payday lenders say they cannot survive under a 28 percent rate, costing the state 6,000 jobs and shutting off credit for those with nowhere else to turn. Industry opponents, including Ohio church leaders, argue the loans prey on the poor and trap too many borrowers in a cycle of debt.

The measure already is on printed ballots for those voting early. If the referendum qualifies, those tallies will be counted; if it still falls short, they won't be.

jsiegel@dispatch.com