Vote on election overhaul repeal delayed

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

The Ohio House has delayed a vote on a contentious measure Wednesday that would repeal a new election law in the presidential battleground state.

The new law has been on hold since September, when opponents gathered enough signatures to get a referendum before voters this fall.

If enacted, the repeal measure would leave in place old rules governing Ohio elections before the overhaul law was passed last summer. The bill also would reaffirm a separate change made last year in a different measure that cuts off in-person early voting on the Friday evening before Election Day.

House Speaker William Batchelder said he was delaying the vote because he wants to open up talks with opponents about a deal to remove the referendum.