Unnecessary elections bill clears first hurdle

The Ohio Senate unanimously passed a bill that would prevent unnecessary elections, like last September’s one-person Democratic primary, saving taxpayer thousands of dollars.

The bill sponsored by Sen. Frank LaRose, R-Hudson, is the first of two Statehouse bills to pass one of the legislative chambers designed to prevent unnecessary elections.

RELATED: Boehner’s resignation costly for Ohio taxpayers

The September 2016 special Democratic primary cost Ohio taxpayers more than $340,800, just months after footing the special general election in June 2016 that elected Troy Republican businessman Warren Davidson to Congress, replacing former Speaker John Boehner.

LaRose said holding uncontested primary elections “erodes public confidence in the democratic process and devalues the importance of voting.”

RELATED: Democrat needed just one vote to win special election

Senate Bill 10, sponsored by LaRose, and House Bill 18, jointly sponsored by Reps. Wes Retherford and Dorothy Pelanda, propose to change the rules regarding congressional primaries, stating the Ohio Secretary of State can determine the necessity of a primary election when just one candidate is on the ballot.

About the Author