COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A federal judge has declined to suspend his order expanding early voting in Ohio this fall while the state appeals the decision.
Attorneys for the state had asked U.S. District Judge Peter Economus to stay his ruling to avoid voter confusion.
In denying the state’s request, Economus said Wednesday a stay would only increase the “flip-flopping” of the early voting schedule, resulting in greater confusion.
Last week, he temporarily blocked an Ohio law that trims early voting and ordered Ohio’s election chief to set an expanded voting schedule. Early voting would begin Sept. 30, instead of Oct. 7. Economus also barred Secretary of State Jon Husted (HYOO’-sted) from preventing local elections boards from adopting additional early voting hours beyond his order.
The state is appealing the Sept. 4 decision.
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