Op-Ed: Keep Washington D.C. out of Ohio's Elections

On November 3, 2020, Ohio executed our most successful election in history. Voter turnout for our state was a record-breaking 74 percent with 5,974,121 Ohioans casting a ballot. This surpasses the all-time previous record from 2008 by 200,000 votes. Early and absentee voting increased by 75 percent compared to 2016 figures. 94 percent of all absentee ballots were returned, breaking another state record. Despite the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic presented, Ohioans made their voice heard through our state’s election process.

With these numbers, it is clear Ohio knows how to run a successful election. However, with the recent House passage of House Resolution 1, Nancy Pelosi and the Washington D.C. elite think they can run our elections better than our own secretary of state and 88 county boards of elections. Not only is H.R. 1 is unconstitutional, it also threatens the integrity of our elections.

H.R. 1 legalizes ballot harvesting, forces states to count ballots that arrive by mail as late as 10 days after the election, and bans state voter ID requirements. These provisions will erode voter trust and create a lack of confidence in results, thus inciting chaos and confusion to our elections process.

This is why I’ve introduced House Concurrent Resolution 5.

Congress needs to focus on securing our borders, balancing the budget and protecting our freedoms – not meddling in how Ohio and other states run their elections. 

Each state has adopted unique systems that fit their individual needs and provide access and security to their elections. 

Article I, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution states that “the Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof,” but that “Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of choosing Senators.” 

Our founding fathers made this provision in the Constitution to ensure Congress cannot seize control of the state’s election system like H.R. 1 does. Stripping the states of their constitutionally mandated election authorities is an unprecedented overreach from the federal government. 

I came to Columbus to stop government overreach. H.C.R. 5 will allow the Ohio General Assembly to send a clear message that Washington D.C. has no place in Ohio’s elections.