Common Cause Ohio
After two rejections, is Ohio attorney general slow-walking anti-gerrymandering amendment?
One might think that a movement associated with a former state Supreme Court chief justice could draft a petition summary that passes legal muster. But twice already, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has rejected summaries of a petition to put an anti-gerrymandering amendment on Ohio’s November 2024 ballot. So far, nobody’s explicitly accusing Yost of […]
What Ohio amendments wouldn’t have passed with a 60% threshold?
Only white men would be able to enlist in the Ohio National Guard. Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Toledo wouldn’t have casinos. Ohio’s governor wouldn’t have term limits. Ohioans would only have the option of straight-ticket voting at the polls. These are just some of the amendments to the Ohio constitution that passed, but received less […]
Voter advocacy groups highlight safety of elections ahead of Ohio midterms
Amid concerns about election security and the need for people to verify their ballots, Common Cause Ohio enlisted other organizations, All Voting is Local Ohio and Secure Democracy Foundation, to outline what happens before, on, and after Election Day.
Why you should be paying attention to Ohio Board of Education races
The following article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland. The midterms will decide more than just Ohio’s races for U.S. Senate, […]
Ohio House approves congressional maps largely along party lines
The Ohio House has approved new congressional districts that will give Republican candidates a significant electoral advantage for the next four years. The map will only be in place for those two election cycles because not a single Democratic member voted for it. The map now heads for Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk. If DeWine signs […]
Final public redistricting hearing brings no agreement
The day before the deadline for legislative redistricting efforts in Ohio, there were no indications that agreement on a map was close. In fact, in a public hearing held Tuesday at the Ohio Statehouse, some citizens conceded that an extension to the deadline could be beneficial, and some Ohio Redistricting Commission members agreed. “Yes, you […]
Some voter education programs may be in jeopardy due to new Ohio law
With Ohio searching for more poll workers during the pandemic last year, Secretary of State Frank LaRose had to get creative. Ohioans needed their hair cut after being indoors for months. And, perhaps just as much, they wanted to go out again for drinks. So LaRose announced two new programs meant to spur voter registration […]
Today’s Inanity: Bill Seitz threatening to attack voters out of spite
Voting is the most fundamental freedom and important tool citizens of a constitutional republic have to hold their elected representatives responsible for faithfully representing their best interests. But state Rep. Bill Seitz, R-Green Township, is threatening to make election law changes even more restrictive for voters, apparently out of spite. From the Cincinnati Enquirer (subscribers […]
‘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 […]
Mailbag: What’s the most effective way to get my lawmaker’s attention?
Welcome to another installment of the Ohio Capital Journal Mailbag, the 33rd most popular political column in the 33rd most popular state. Let’s get started: Got a question about Ohio politics/government? Send them by email to [email protected] or tweet them to @tylerjoelb. What, in your opinion, is the most effective way to engage with or […]
Advocates tout an “incredible opportunity” to tamp down gerrymandering
Despite all the horrors of the coronavirus pandemic, it delivered one wrinkle that some advocates believe is an unprecedented opportunity to mitigate “partisan gerrymandering.” Ever wonder why Congress or the state legislature not only refuse to do things that have support of 70% of the public, they often turn around and do the exact opposite? […]
Civic society suffers when one party bypasses the public
What would you think about a candidate for public office who thought so little of the democratic process that he or she refused to respond to a nonpartisan voter survey, or ignored invitations to participate in a public candidate forum, with both programs hosted by a respected good-government group? This election cycle in Ohio, many […]