Bride Rose Sweeney
Ohio lawmaker seeks to protect voter education programs with new bill
A Cleveland lawmaker is hoping to protect voter outreach programs that may be in danger of being outlawed in future Ohio elections. The state budget approved earlier this summer includes a number of provisions that voting rights advocates have characterized as anti-democratic. Among them is a prohibition on election officials collaborating with any nongovernmental entity […]
Lawmakers propose $1,000 bonuses to Ohio National Guard members
A pair of state lawmakers want to give a financial bonus to all members of the Ohio National Guard as thanks for their service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Each member deserves $1,000 as a “small way to show our appreciation for their valiant efforts,” state Reps. Richard Brown of Canal Winchester and Bride Rose Sweeney […]
Ohio ballots will list party affiliations for top judicial candidates
A change to Ohio’s ballot rules could impact key Supreme Court races in 2022 and influence the leaning of the state’s highest court for years to come. Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill into law Thursday that will list candidates’ party affiliations on ballots for certain judicial races. This will include races for the Ohio […]
Parties battle over proposed elections changes in Ohio
The Republican sponsors of a bill proposing numerous changes to Ohio election law say they are open to some compromise with Democratic opponents. But this olive branch comes with a warning. “(Democrats) have so far given the back of their hand to a balanced bill,” said Rep. Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati. “And the risk that they […]
Testy exchanges seen in first hearing on Ohio election changes bill
The Republican sponsors of a bill to change various pieces of Ohio election law had their first opportunity Thursday to make a case why these changes are necessary. State Reps. Bill Seitz, R-Green Twp., and Sharon Ray, R-Wadsworth, fielded questions from a handful of Democratic lawmakers, each sharing concerns that some of the provisions would […]
‘Anti-Corruption Act’ would target dark money spending in Ohio
Should nonprofit organizations that spend money on Ohio elections be forced to publicly disclose who funds them? Some lawmakers say yes and are trying once again to change the state’s campaign finance law in an effort to make political spending more transparent. State Reps. Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, and Bride Rose Sweeney, D-Cleveland, have reintroduced […]
Chances for Ohio death penalty repeal appear to be growing
The biggest-ever bipartisan coalition on Thursday announced a renewed effort to repeal the death penalty in Ohio. State Sen. Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, and Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, hosted a virtual press conference to announce that they and three other Republican and four Democratic senators so far have said they will co-sponsor the repeal legislation. […]
There were many efforts to change Ohio election laws in 2020, but few succeeded
More Ohioans voted in the 2020 General Election than in any other election in state history. Elections officials, voter rights advocates and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are still looking into ways to improve voting access for the years to come. There were numerous legislative efforts to change Ohio’s elections system in big […]
Mailbag: Answering reader questions about Householder and the bribery scandal
Clad in camouflage from head to toe, Larry Householder aimed his weapon at a television screen across an empty field. That box had it coming, a Householder voiceover intimated, what with all the unfair attacks leveled against him. “A dark money group is airing deceitful ads against me,” Householder said. “They’re anti-Trump gun grabbers and […]
After confusing primary, advocates and leaders begin planning for fall election
Ohio’s lengthy, unpredictable primary election finally concluded last week. Now the fight is on to determine how the November general election will proceed. That will be an election with a presidential race and other hot ticket items on the ballot, leading to a much larger turnout compared to the election held primarily through the mail […]
Push is on to improve Ohio voter registration, though methods still being debated
Officials from both political parties have expressed the need to improve Ohio’s voter registration system. How best to do that is still being decided. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who oversees the state’s elections process, has lent support to registration reform. He is among those calling for a way to register to vote or […]
Democratic Ohio House member looks to introduce automatic voter registration bill
A new proposal to require voters to be automatically registered to vote could be filed in the Ohio House by the end of the week, according to its sponsor. State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney, D-Cleveland, is pushing forward with a move that has been supported by Secretary of State Frank LaRose in the past, and […]