Ohio Dems praise judge's provisional ballot order

COLUMBUS (AP) — Two Democratic lawmakers are urging Ohio’s elections chief not to appeal a federal judge’s order requiring the state to change its rules for counting provisional ballots.

At issue are requirements for when a poll worker is permitted to reject a provisional ballot, typically a ballot cast in the wrong precinct.

U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley on Monday ordered Secretary of State Jon Husted to issue new rules making it harder for provisional ballots to be rejected. The ruling puts an even greater burden on poll workers to ensure provisional ballots can be cast.

A Husted spokesman has said an appeal was likely.

State Reps. Kathleen Clyde and Alicia Reece called on Husted today to accept what they say is a fair ruling and not fight the decision.