An Ohio House panel dialed back proposed requirements for minor political parties amid concerns that they would obstruct access to the ballot and create hurdles for some candidates. The committee changed the measure today before passing it. The bill would now require minor parties to gather petition signatures from at least a half percent of the total vote cast in the most recent election for governor or president. That's down from 1 percent and roughly 28,000 signatures using last year's numbers. To remain a qualified political party, groups must get 2 percent rather than 3 percent of the total votes cast in the following gubernatorial or presidential election. The full House could vote as soon as this afternoon. The Senate previously passed it, but would have to approve the changes.
Mike Foley joined WCBE in February 2000, coming from WUFT in Gainesville, Florida. Foley has worked in various roles, from producing news and feature stories to engineering Live From Studio A sessions. A series of music features Foley started in 2018 called Music Journeys has grown into a podcast and radio show. He also assists in developing other programs in WCBE's Podcast Experience. Foley hosts The Morning Mix, a weekday music show featuring emerging and established musicians, our Columbus-area and Ohio-based talent, and additional artists that inspire him.