Ohio election chief appeals judge’s ballot ruling

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio’s elections chief is appealing a judge’s decision that said a federal court agreement governing rules for counting provisional ballots in Ohio does not conflict with state law and will remain in place.

At issue are requirements for providing identification when a voter has to cast a provisional ballot, typically a ballot cast in the wrong precinct.

Secretary of State Jon Husted argued in May that the two-year-old agreement settling a lawsuit over provisional ballots includes rules that run counter to Ohio elections law.

Columbus federal judge Algenon Marbley rejected Husted’s argument earlier this month, finding there is no conflict between the agreement’s requirements and Ohio elections law.

The state announced Thursday it’s appealing that decision to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati.