September 7

Compromise at the ballot

Published: September 6, 2011 - 11:44 PM

Akron Beacon Journal

In a deal announced late last week, Jon Husted and Ed FitzGerald set the right example. The Republican secretary of state and the Democratic executive of Cuyahoga County reached a compromise on absentee ballot applications, ending weeks of confrontation and confusion. That said, much work remains to be done to fix how Ohioans vote.

FitzGerald has backed away from mailing absentee ballot applications to all county voters in the fall, a move that would have violated the spirit, if not the letter, of a directive by Husted. As the state’s chief elections officer, Husted does not want inconsistency in mailing applications, a practice that invites lawsuits over unequal access.

Initially, FitzGerald argued that the Husted directive applied only to elections boards, and successfully urged the Cuyahoga County Council to pay for a mass mailing of absentee ballot applications, in effect bypassing the secretary of state, yet another invitation to litigation.

http://www.ohio.com/editorial/editorials/compromise-at-the-ballot-1.233583

DEMOCRATS PRESSURE GOP MAPMAKERS TO PRODUCE REDISTRICTING PLAN

Gongwer

House Republicans scheduled two hearings next week on revising Congressional districts, but could not assure Democrats that their maps would be available for consideration.
During the Tuesday hearing of the full House State Government & Elections Committee, Chairman Rep. Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said the panel would meet twice next week to review proposed maps from a number of different organizations.
Democrats repeatedly pressed him on when the Republican caucus's map, which is expected to serve as the basis for revising district boundaries, will be available to review.
The committee's ranking minority member, Rep. Ronald Gerberry (D-Austintown), said he was glad Republicans were interested in maps that have won redistricting contests held by good government groups.
http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news_articledisplay.cfm?article_ID=801720201&newsedition_id=8017202&locid=2

HOUSE COULD TAKE UP PRIMARY ELECTION CHANGE, GOP APPOINTMENT NEXT WEEK

Gongwer

Next week's "if needed" House sessions appear likely to be needed as Republicans and Democrats join forces to protect the plan to push the 2012 March primary back to May.
Speaker Bill Batchelder's (R-Medina) spokesman Mike Dittoe said Tuesday that the chamber might take up a proposal to move next year's presidential primary during session next week.
The Republican speaker recently announced an agreement with House Minority Leader Armond Budish (D-Beachwood) to pass a separate measure changing the March date to May. Legislative leaders are concerned that the date change contained in recent elections legislation (HB 194 ) could fall victim to a pending referendum, which would leave less time to complete the Congressional redistricting process. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, September 1, 2011)
http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news_articledisplay.cfm?article_ID=801720202&newsedition_id=8017202&locid=2