Author
Ohio Democrats are leading vote-by-mail ballots in election on abortion, marijuana
Democratic and nonpartisan voters in Ohio are winning the vote-by-mail fight in the November election on abortion and marijuana, an OCJ/WEWS analysis found. Despite being an off-year, elections workers say early voting numbers are exceeding expectations. “It’s very critical to us to vote early,” Cuyahoga County voter Linda Frey said. This is especially true with […]
Lawmaker removes anti-striking provision from controversial Ohio higher ed overhaul bill
In order to get the Ohio House to pass a controversial bill to overhaul the higher education system, the Republican bill sponsor has removed a provision that would prevent employees from being able to strike. However, it was replaced with a policy that education advocates say would decimate tenure. State Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) told […]
Ohio vote by mail applications due Tuesday for election on abortion, marijuana
The deadline to apply to vote by mail for the Nov. 7 election in Ohio is Tuesday evening. In this election, voters will decide on local issues and candidates, like city council members, and statewide Issue 1 and Issue 2. Issue 1 is the amendment to protect access to abortion and contraception, while Issue 2 would legalize recreational marijuana. […]
Supporters of Ohio abortion rights amendment far outraising opponents
Supporters of the proposal to protect access to abortion rights in Ohio have raised three times more than their opponents — and if you watch TV, you’ll notice the difference. It’s the home stretch before the November election, and ads on Issue 1 are flooding the airwaves. Issue 1 gives voters the choice if they […]
Ohio Democratic-stronghold counties exceeding early voting expectations for November election
Voters in Democratic-stronghold counties are showing up in mass to vote early for the November election on abortion and marijuana, exceeding the already unexpectedly large turnout from the August special election. “For these things that are on the ballot right now, which are very important, I just wanted to make sure my vote is in […]
Former Ohio state Rep. Bob Young found guilty in domestic violence trial
Former Ohio state Rep. Bob Young was found guilty of domestic violence in court Thursday. Visiting retired Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Judge Edward O’Farrell found Young guilty of intentionally harming his wife, Tina. This is a first-degree misdemeanor. However, the North Canton Republican was acquitted of the assault charge against his brother Michael. The verdict […]
Ohio bill allowing guns in some government buildings may have significant loophole
A bill loosening gun laws in Ohio by allowing firearms in some government buildings may have a significant loophole that hurts domestic violence survivors, a WEWS/OCJ analysis discovered. Year after year, Ohio lawmakers have introduced legislation to expand gun rights. State Rep. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) is the latest. “Our constituents are enthused on us standing […]
Former state Rep. Bob Young’s domestic violence trial begins
Former state Rep. Bob Young was in court Tuesday facing the domestic violence charges that led to his resignation from the Ohio Statehouse. Young, a former Republican representing the Green area in the Ohio House, has been arrested three times in recent months. His charges include domestic violence, assault, violating a protection order and menacing […]
Ohio lawmakers attempt — again — to make it illegal to drug and rape spouse
In some cases, raping your spouse is still legal in Ohio. However, a bipartisan bill to eliminate the spousal rape exception, one without opponents but stalls each and every time it is proposed, is finally moving forward. It’s the tenth year that Emily Gemar with the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence has been working […]
Airtag stalking would become illegal under proposed Ohio bill
A bipartisan bill passed by the Ohio Senate would make it a crime to electronically track someone without their consent. This comes as domestic violence groups are seeing an increase in Airtag stalking. After Heidi Moon was killed by her ex-boyfriend in 2022, an investigator found a tracking device in her car. Smaller than your palm, an […]
As election workers face threats, Ohio lawmakers introduce bill to protect them
A bipartisan group of lawmakers in Ohio has come together to support their election officials, aiming to help shield them from increasing threats. Getting involved in working elections means being a part of the democratic process. But it’s definitely different times than a few years ago, said Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Director Tony Perlatti. […]
What is Ohio Issue 1? We explain the proposed abortion rights amendment
For advocates on each side of the abortion debate, this November is likely the most important Ohio election in state history. We break down what you need to know about Issue 1 — the reproductive rights amendment. “The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety” would allow every person to have the […]