The Ohio legislature elected in 2006 is still in session, but it expects to adjourn on Thursday, December 18. A few days ago it passed an election law bill, SB 380, which relates to early voting. However, no legislator introduced any bill to replace the old, void ballot access procedures for new and minor political parties.

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner testified recently in an Ohio legislative hearing that the state has paid out over $1,000,000 in attorneys fees, in election law cases, this past year. When she took office in January 2007, Ohio was involved in 22 election law lawsuits. Although that has now been whittled down to 10 still outstanding, new cases have been filed this year.