Early voting has been going strong in Ohio for two weeks, and yet it’s still unclear if there will be voting on the final weekend before the election. That question may be headed to the US Supreme Court, now that Secretary of State Jon Husted has appealed a ruling by the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals siding with the Obama administration and Ohio Democrats in reinstating the final three days of voting.
And of course, another week, another series of campaign visits by President Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney. Another state lawmaker has been indicted on criminal charges. Rep. Clayton Luckie, a Democrat of Dayton, is facing a 49 count indictment that accuses him of skimming nearly $130,000 in campaign funds for his personal use and failing to list campaign expenditures for six years. And a third casino is open for business in Ohio – the Hollywood Casino Columbus opened on Columbus Day.
Polls show the race for president is tightening up in Ohio. And that means both of the major party campaigns are zeroing in on voters they think they can sway to their candidate. There are several groups of voters considered key in this race – independent voters, undecided voters, and those who have specific issues they’re concerned about. And many of these voters aren’t completely happy with either of their choices this fall. That includes groups which have endorsed candidates, such as the Ohio Federation of Teachers and Ohio Right to Life. The OFT's Melissa Cropper and Right to Life's Stephanie Krider talk about their issues. Tea Party voters are even more concerned, according to Tom Zawistowski, the president of the Ohio Liberty Coalition. And the Libertarian Party of Ohio has a candidate on the Ohio ballot, but spokesman Aaron Keith Harris says he realizes a win is an uphill battle.
Monday is the first of three debates here in Ohio in the hotly contested US Senate race. Longtime Republican strategist Mark Weaver and Franklin County Democratic party chair Greg Haas share their thoughts on the upcoming US Senate debates. The first debate is 12:30pm on Monday and will be produced by WVIZ/PBS ideastream in Cleveland, and will air on public television stations throughout the state. The second US Senate debate is set for October 18 in Columbus, with the final debate on October 25 in Cincinnati.