Local elections board left in dark during redistricting
Mar. 26—WAPAKONETA — On May 3, Ohio voters should be able to cast a full primary ballot. But with just six weeks to go, it's all but assured that won't happen.
While a majority of states finalize their redistricting process, Ohio's Supreme Court has rejected the Republican-drawn state legislative maps three times on the grounds of it being unconstitutional. All of which has left candidates, voters and the state's entire voting infrastructure confused about what comes next.
After the most recent map rejection, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose told board of elections officials that state House and state Senate races will not appear on the May 3 ballot.
"Our bipartisan elections officials were ready to conduct this election on time. Those boards are now left once again without clear districts to certify legislative candidates," LaRose penned.
Meanwhile, Auglaize County Board of Elections Director Michelle Wilcox and the board are working on what they can do to be ready for the election. Still there is only so much that can be done without finalized districts.
"Elections officials across Ohio are stuck in limbo right now. We can't move forward with anything except for training," Wilcox said.
Some have called for pushing back the primary to include these races instead of having two primaries. As it stands today it looks likely that two separate election days will be held, costing the state more money and wreaking havoc on poll workers.
"Adding another election date will cost the state another $25 to 30 million. We can get the money and spend it on adding another election day; however, one thing the election can't buy is time, and that's what we need," Wilcox said.
"Even if they figured this out tonight, we would still be cutting into the time to test all of the different machines and ensure they are accurate. This is all political and the election should be pushed back to ensure a fair election."
The Ohio Redistricting Commission has until March 28 to adopt a fourth set of state legislative district maps. Depending on a ruling in the federal court case, state lawmakers will likely have to make a decision on what to do with the upcoming May 3 primary without any time to put state legislative races on the ballot.
Reach Joe Gilroy at 567-242-0398 or on Twitter @TLNJoeGilroy
