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2018 was a big election year in Ohio. Republicans held onto all five statewide executive offices including governor and super majorities in both the Ohio House and Senate. But there were a few bright spots for Democrats, among them the reelection of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and the election of two Democrats to the Ohio Supreme Court.With election 2018 over, the focus now shifts to governing. Stay connected with the latest on politics, policies and people making the decisions at all levels affecting your lives.

Ohio Lawmaker Pushes to Make Sure Every Vote is Counted

photo of Kathleen Clyde
ANDY CHOW
/
STATEHOUSE NEWS BUREAU

 A state lawmaker wants to change the way votes are counted in elections, saying her bill could save more than tens of thousands of ballots from being thrown out. 

Democratic Representative Kathleen Clyde of Kent says more than 13,000 provisional ballots were rejected during the last presidential election because people voted at the wrong precinct, had issues with signing, had issue printing their name, or didn’t have an ID.

Clyde wants to pass a bill that would count all these votes and only reject ballots filed by people who aren’t registered voters.

Secretary of State Jon Husted says Clyde’s bill could make it easier for voter fraud, but Clyde disagrees.

“That is a myth that is brought out by the Republicans to pass harmful voting restrictions and we do not have a problem with voter fraud in the state of Ohio.”

Husted adds that his office has counted more provisional and absentee ballots than the Democrat that held office before him.

Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.