Latest news with #FrankLaRose
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Secretary LaRose releases post-election audit results
COLUMBUS — Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced Wednesday that the audit results from May's statewide primary and special election, proving once again that Ohio sets the national standard for voting accuracy. In total, the results show a 99.99% accuracy rate. 'We don't just ask Ohioans to trust the process, we trust but verify,' said Secretary LaRose. 'Public confidence in our elections starts with showing and then double-checking our work. I'm proud of the bipartisan team of election officials across the state that proves time and again why Ohio is the national gold standard for election administration.' A post-election audit is a comprehensive review of results to verify that the election was accurate. Prior to an election, county boards of elections are required to conduct a full battery of logic and accuracy testing on all voting equipment. After each election, a bipartisan team of Republicans and Democrats from county boards of elections compares the tabulated results to the hardcopy paper ballots to ensure fidelity between the two. Unlike other states, Secretary LaRose has required Ohio's county boards to audit election results after every election. Last year, the Ohio General Assembly enacted legislation to codify Secretary LaRose's successful practice of requiring all 88 county boards to conduct post-election audits after every election.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Overturning gay marriage ban and adding LGBTQ protections just got harder. Find out why.
Ohio Republicans added another hurdle for proponents of a measure to overturn Ohio's dormant ban on same-sex marriage and expand anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ residents. In a party-line vote, Ohio Ballot Board divided the Ohio Equal Rights Amendment into two issues: one to overturn a 2004 vote that defined marriage as between one man and one woman and another that would prohibit state and local government from discriminating against more than a dozen protected groups, including transgender Ohioans. To make the ballot, proponents will either have to collect double the number of signatures to get both proposals approved or sue the Ohio Ballot Board to overturn its decision. Backers are eyeing the 2026 ballot at the earliest, said Lis Regula, a member of Ohio Equal Rights' leadership committee. During the July 9 meeting, the ballot campaign's attorney Corey Colombo argued that the proposed constitutional amendment was one issue because it encompassed equal rights for all Ohioans. But Republicans contended that transgender issues and marriage equality are two different things with two different levels of support from voters. While Ohioans might support marriage between any two people in the Ohio Constitution, "they may not want to support creating 12 new protected classes under a bunch of different circumstances," said Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican who leads the Ohio Ballot Board. Rep. Terrence Upchurch, D-Cleveland, said Republicans divided the measure because of politics. "It's one issue. It's cut and dry." "There's definitely political will for using trans people to divide Ohioans," Regula said. "The hopeful side of me appreciates that they are recognizing the support for same-sex marriage. That's great. We've made progress. We still have progress to make." If approved by voters, the Ohio Equal Rights Amendment would prohibit state and local government from discriminating based on: "race, color, creed or religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression regardless of sex assigned at birth, pregnancy status, genetic information, disease status, age, disability, recovery status, familial status, ancestry, national origin or military and veteran status." The sweeping measure would expand the list of protected individuals far beyond the national Equal Rights Amendment, which aims to prohibit discrimination based on sex. Ohio ratified that amendment in 1974, but it has not been recognized as part of the U.S. Constitution because of missed deadlines and other disputes. The proposal would also overturn a 2004 vote that defined marriage as between one man and one woman. This language has been dormant since a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision led by Ohioan Jim Obergefell legalized gay marriage in America. As of 2023, Ohio had 22,400 same-sex married couples, according to the most recent federal census data. "Marriage equality has been going strong now for 10 years, and the sky hasn't fallen. Society hasn't collapsed," said Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood. "What happened is you have families who have standing, whose children can feel good and talk about their families just like every other kid at school, no matter what the configuration of their family is." But proponents of marriage equality worry that the Obergefell decision could be overturned by an unfriendly U.S. Supreme Court. "I think it is reasonable to believe that it is under threat," said Regula, citing the language used in the decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Supporters of the proposed constitutional amendment want to overturn Ohio laws that penalize people with HIV for donating blood or having sex without disclosing their HIV status. More recently, Republican lawmakers banned transgender students from using school bathrooms that match their gender identity and banned gender-affirming care for transgender minors. "Those discriminatory laws make Ohio less of a welcoming place and make it a place where fewer people are interested in coming," Regula said. Opponents say these are losing issues at the ballot box. "To bring such an unpopular constitutional amendment like this forward is one, shockingly appalling, but also really dumb after Sherrod Brown just lost his Senate seat over these issues," said Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtues. Republicans crafted attack ads against Brown for voting against amendments that would have stripped funding from schools and colleges that allowed transgender girls to play in women's sports. "I have a hard time seeing them get a lot of traction with this," Baer said. CCV was a driving force behind the 2004 constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage in Ohio. The group looking to put the Ohio ERA before voters faces a tall task. If they want voters to approve both measures, they must collect an additional 1,000 valid signatures for each proposal, go before Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost for initial approval and return to the ballot board. Then, proponents would have to collect at least 413,487 valid signatures, or 10% of votes cast in the most recent governor's race, for each measure or 826,974 in total. Those signatures must meet a minimum threshold in half of Ohio's 88 counties. "While I applaud the spirit of the work that they are trying to do, I just think it's a real uphill battle that they're going to be faced with," said Antonio, the state's first and currently only openly gay lawmaker. For more than a decade, Antonio has repeatedly introduced the Ohio Fairness Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The GOP-controlled Legislature has not moved forward on the fairness act. More: After 775K gay marriages, Americans are still fighting for rights 10 years later Antonio said a legislative fix is still the right path for protections against LGBTQ discrimination. "I struggle with asking the majority of people, the majority of the population, to grant equality by a vote to a marginalized group," Antonio said. "I will continue to fight for the Ohio Fairness Act, because I think it's the right thing to do." Reporter Laura A. Bischoff contributed to this article. State government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at jbalmert@ or @jbalmert on X. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: GOP move to ax Ohio same-sex marriage ban, add LGBTQ protections
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wayne County Board of Elections named Ohio Board of the Year - here's how it happened
The Wayne County Board of Elections has been recognized as Ohio's Board of the Year, honoring its commitment to secure, transparent elections and service to local voters. The award was announced at Secretary of State Frank LaRose's annual elections conference, which brought together officials from 85 counties to focus on integrity, cybersecurity and voter confidence ahead of the November election. 'It means a great deal to be recognized by the state for what we do every day in serving the voters of Wayne County,' said Julie Leathers Stahl, director of the Wayne County Board of Elections. 'It's humbling, but it's a great honor.' More: BOE Deputy Director Bell details how candidates and issues get on the ballot Each year, the Secretary of State's office selects one board for the honor, recognizing excellence in meeting election reporting deadlines, ensuring security and compliance and providing innovative voter outreach. This year, Wayne County also was recognized for its voter and candidate academies, which help residents understand the election process and prepare for public office. The award is not based on nominations, but on a review by the Secretary of State's team. More: Take the mystery out of absentee and provisional voting; here are the differences 'They pick one every year based on how we serve voters and that we're doing all of our required things,' Leathers Stahl said. The recognition underscores the local board's role in maintaining voter trust while ensuring elections run smoothly and securely in a critical election year. 'I'm personally very proud of our team,' Leathers Stahl said. 'It's nice to be recognized for serving the voters of Wayne County.' This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Wayne County Board of Elections wins Ohio Board of the Year honor
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio purges 12,000 voters, and 350,000 more are at risk. How to check your registration
Ohio is removing 12,000 voters from its rolls and another 350,000 registrations are on the chopping block. Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced June 11 that nearly 12,000 registrations that belong to people who have registered and voted in other states for the 2024 general election are being removed from Ohio's rolls. The Ohio Secretary of State's Office of Data Analytics and Archives identified the registrations through multi-state data-sharing agreements. 'We have a duty under Ohio law to maintain accurate voter rolls,' LaRose said in a press release. 'This is a commonsense safeguard that's basically designed to prevent double voting." In March, LaRose published a list of more than 350,000 voter registrations that are eligible to be removed from the state's rolls. Voters on that list have until September 2025 to maintain their registrations. The 350,000 represents roughly 4.3% of the 8,159,946 registered voters Ohio had for the 2024 general election. Here's what you need to do to confirm your voter registration is valid or register to vote again. Election 2024: Ohio purged 155,000 voters from the rolls To check if you're registered to vote in Ohio, visit and enter your first and last names, and your county of residence. If you are having trouble finding your voter registration, the Ohio Secretary of State's office offers the following tips: Are you registered to vote? Could you be registered with a derivative of your first name, such as Bob or Robert? Could you be registered with a former last name? Could you be registered at a previous address in another Ohio county? If you are unable to locate your voter registration information, but believe you are registered to vote, it is recommended that you search again making sure all the information you provided is accurate. Contact your county board of elections regarding any questions pertaining to your voter registration. Election 2023: Ohio canceled over 26,000 inactive voter registrations To register to vote, or update your registration, head to To complete the process online you will need the following information: Ohio driver's license or Ohio identification card number Name Date of birth Address The last four digits of your Social Security number If you don't have all that information, download and complete a paper form and mail it to your county board of elections. You must register or update your voter registration no later than 30 days before an election. The deadlines are: July 7, 2025, for the August 5, 2025, Special Election. October 6, 2025, for the November 4, 2025, General Election. Boards of election are open until 9 p.m. on the registration deadline days. Early voting begins the following day. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 350,000 Ohio voters at risk in purge. How to check your registration
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Voter rights groups say Ohio GOP voting overhaul threatens the state's citizen initiative process
Field staffers for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol deliver boxes containing petitions with 222,198 signatures to Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, July 5, 2023, at the loading dock of the Office of the Ohio Secretary of State, 180 E Broad St in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original article.) A coalition of government watchdog groups are warning state legislation could hobble Ohio's initiative process. Direct democracy has been available to Ohioans since 1912, and citizen-led groups can organize initiated statutes or constitutional amendments. The proposals would create strict new paperwork requirements and add other administrative hurdles like requiring many circulators wear a badge identifying themselves as 'paid' even if they're given something as small as a pen for signature collection. Above and beyond changes to the initiative process, the bills would also eliminate ballot drop boxes and require all voters to show proof of citizenship to cast a ballot. 'Bottom line, this is attack on direct democracy,' Jen Miller from Ohio's League of Women Voters argued. 'This is an attack on local control. It's an attempt to bully, intimidate, harass, and possibly prosecute people just because they want to take part in democracy,' Common Cause Ohio Executive Director Catherine Turcer praised the people who grab clipboards and collect signatures to put proposals on the ballot. 'This extreme legislation is an attempt to bully, intimidate, and hassle these front-line heroes,' she argued. The paperwork involved in signature gathering is already complex and time consuming. She explained circulators have to fill out a standard form — name, address, employer, etc. — when they turn in petitions. But the new bills would ratchet up the stakes of that relatively banal procedure. Right now, if the circulator messes something up, they can cross it out and write their initials. Opponents warn of harm to eligible voters if Ohio lawmakers require citizenship documents 'And it is accepted as a change that was legally made,' Turcer explained. 'House bill 233, and Senate bill 153, would make it so that any error here, anything that you made a mistake on, it would mean that the entire booklet would be invalid. And just, I can't imagine the number of signatures that would just get tossed out.' She added that provisions requiring circulators to wear a badge identifying themselves as 'paid' if they accept 'anything of value,' sets an unrealistic standard. 'If I were to give a clipboard and a pen to a volunteer, and a t-shirt that says the name of the campaign,' she explained, 'anything of value would then mean that a circulator would have to get a badge.' That's more paperwork, she said, and thus more chances for something to go wrong. Turcer also criticized a provision requiring an individual to be registered to vote prior to signing a petition, rather than by the time the petition gets filed with election officials. 'One of the things that we often do is check registration before we before people sign,' Turcer explained, 'so that we can get somebody registered as we're doing a ballot measure.' Taking that opportunity away doesn't just reduce their signature count, Turcer argued, 'it also stops that opportunity for a voter-to-voter conversation about, well, this is why you should get registered. These are the things that are coming up on the upcoming ballot.' Ohio Unity Coalition Executive Director Petee Talley drew a straight line from 2023's Issue 1 defeat, which rejected a GOP-led effort to make it harder to amend the state constitution, and the current slate of legislation. She argued the latest bills are 'retribution' for that defeat. Talley took particular offense at the provision requiring signature gatherers wear a badge if they're compensated. 'If I wanted to give a can of cold pop and a slice of pizza to someone and maybe even a t-shirt that (Turcer) alluded to, suddenly they're going to have to add wearing a badge to all of that stuff?' she asked. 'It's nothing but intimidation. It's nothing but bullying,' she argued. 'It's voter harassment, and this is an attack on our voice and our rights, and we're not going to stand for it.' Miller walked through the follow-on consequences of requiring paid circulator badges. Some voters will mistakenly think volunteers who got a slice of pizza are actually getting a paycheck, she said. 'We should expect opposition trackers attempting to catch circulators without their badges,' she added. 'And with the increase in uncivil and polarized rhetoric in political venues, this could result in intimidation or even violence against circulators or voters signing those petitions.' What's more, Miller said, 'boards of elections would have to become badge police.' It's a task they don't have the money, manpower or expertise to carry out, she argued. The requirement voters be registered before signing a petition? Miller said that might be a problem, too. 'We don't even know if boards of elections have the technical capacity right now to verify that a voter registration was valid on the date that the voter signed,' she said. One reason that might not have come up is that, so far, county boards haven't been able to weigh in. The bill's first and second hearing happened during the early voting period for this May's primary election. The third hearing landed on the day boards had to certify the election. Asked whether she thought that was intentional, Miller said, 'I don't think it matters. It's shameful, either way. There is no more important constituent when it comes to democracy bills than the boards of elections.' 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