The Ohio Secretary of State's office says more than twice as many Ohioans cast early ballots this year than at the same point in 2016.
Over one million votes have been cast so far, and more than 675 thousand absentee ballots have been returned. Meanwhile, some Democratic state lawmakers want to know why Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose is shortening the amount of time counties will have to complete the official count from the November election. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.
Representative Bride Rose Sweeney says Ohio law gives the state until November 24th to complete the official canvass. She says Ohio is projecting a huge voter turnout, with many early voters and first-time voters. Plus, she says there have been ballot printing delays and changes in mail service that make it less reliable. So she says boards of elections need the maximum time they can get to count ballots. And she fears voters could be disenfranchised.
“One person who could have had their ballot counted who didn’t, that’s one too many.”
A spokesperson for LaRose says the expedited deadline will ensure there would be enough time for a recount if necessary.
