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Hamas attacks met with condemnation among Ohio’s congressional delegation
Ohio’s U.S. Congressional delegation is loudly denouncing Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel. Over the weekend, members of the militant group that controls Gaza launched thousands of indiscriminate missiles at Israel and broke through Israel’s heavily policed border with Gaza, killing more than 900 Israelis, including many civilians, and hundreds at a music festival in southern […]
GOP lawmakers want a say on Ohio’s vehicle emission standards
The Ohio House Transportation Committee advanced a measure last week asserting legislative control over clean air standards. The proposal preempts local governments and state agencies from adopting more restrictive vehicle emission standards. Under the Clean Air Act, California can impose higher emission standards than the federal government. Currently, California demands at least 35% of new […]
Congressional challengers already gearing up for 2024
There’s an election right around the corner, with big questions about abortion and marijuana for Ohioans to consider. But many politicians are already looking ahead to 2024’s congressional races. A handful of familiar faces are back as candidates for Congress, and several local officials are looking for a promotion. Democratic U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur has […]
Ohio House bill to close primaries gets first hearing
An Ohio House bill establishing a closed primary system got its first hearing in committee this week. A Senate companion measure got its first hearing last week. The proposals require voters to affirmatively select their party at least 30 days before a primary election to cast partisan ballots. Supporters argue the changes will prevent partisans […]
Ohio senators consider election law changes to close primaries, prohibit ranked choice voting
This week an Ohio Senate committee took up a handful of election administration bills. Those proposals would close primaries, tweak Ohio’s “Sore Loser” law, and prohibit ranked choice voting. In Ohio, party affiliation is loose. You don’t select one when you register to vote. When primary elections come around, you can select whichever party’s ballot […]
Ohio Sec. of State LaRose wants to fight voter fraud, but pulling out of ERIC will make that harder
Last month, a Cuyahoga County judge sentenced James Saunders to three years in prison for voter fraud. The judge’s ruling described how Saunders cast ballots in Ohio and Florida in 2020 and 2022. Although the incidents lie outside the case, he added evidence that suggests Saunders likely voted in both states going back to 2014. […]
Ohio Sec. of State LaRose flagged more than 520 cases of noncitizen voter fraud. Only one was legit.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has referred 641 cases of suspected voter fraud since taking office. The vast majority of those incidents, 521 in all, are allegations of a noncitizen violating Ohio’s elections laws. But an Ohio Capital Journal review of LaRose’s referrals found just one case in which a noncitizen was charged with […]
Ohio Sec. of State LaRose has flagged 641 cases of voter fraud. Less than 3% resulted in charges
Since taking office in early 2019, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has referred more than 640 cases of potential voter fraud to state or county investigators. Almost none of those incidents resulted in charges — much less convictions. Although LaRose regularly notes voter fraud is rare, his rhetoric on the subject has grown noticeably […]
Ohio Redistricting Commission kicks off regional hearings
The Ohio redistricting commission met in Deer Creek State Park Friday to discuss the latest version of General Assembly district lines. The proposal, introduced by Sen. Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, would maintain durable supermajorities for the GOP in both chambers. The party’s advantage, according to GOP mapmakers themselves, would likely give them control of 62% of […]
Ohio Redistricting Commission selects GOP working map, sets public hearings
The Republican members of Ohio’s redistricting commission set aside their bickering long enough to introduce a new legislative map Wednesday. Despite objections from Democrats on the panel, Republicans adopted their plan as the commission’s working document. The maps’ partisan breakdowns are 62-37 GOP-to-Democratic in the Ohio House and 23-10 in the Senate. The commission briefly […]
Ohio Redistricting Commission set to meet Wednesday, Dems introduce legislative map
After idling for a week and facing a self-imposed deadline for new Statehouse district maps on Friday, Ohio’s Republican-led redistricting commission is getting ready to meet again Wednesday at 3 p.m. During that interlude other state leaders attempted to spur it to action. Republican Attorney General Dave Yost sent members a letter arguing a spat […]
California aviation company planning to build flying cars in Ohio
A California-based ‘flying car’ company called Joby has selected Dayton as the site for its new $500 million manufacturing facility. Joby says the plant will employ up to 2,000 workers and produce 500 of its vertical take-off planes a year. Joby’s flying cars are a mix of helicopter and plane. It’s six rotors allow it […]