Chalk One Up For The GOP

Overseas absentee ballots could arrive up to 20 days after Ohio’s primary election and still be counted…under emergency legislation approved by the General Assembly, Thursday…amid debate over new state legislative maps. The measure headed to Gov., DeWine also requires those ballots…mostly for members of the military…to be ready, no later than April 4th…29 days before the May primary. The governor is expected to sign the bill. The legislation includes $200,000 to help expedite the overseas ballots, including pre-paid postage. Republicans approved the measure over protests by Democrats, who argued the primary itself should be moved. County election officials have raised questions about their ability to carry out a successful primary election on May 3, citing the already tight timeline…all because of the still-unresolved redrawing of state legislative maps.