Panel delays vote on Ohio elections overhaul repeal

COLUMBUS (AP) — An Ohio legislative panel has delayed a vote on repealing a contentious new election law that shrinks early voting and makes other changes in the presidential battleground state.

Backed by Republicans, the Senate bill would scrap the new law and leave in place the old rules governing Ohio elections — including a separate change made last year that cuts off in-person early voting on the Friday before Election Day.

The chairman of the Senate’s government oversight committee says he’s putting off a vote until next week to give minority Democrats a chance to review the proposal.

The elections overhaul has been on hold since September because it’s the subject of a ballot repeal question. Democrats and other opponents want voters to decide this fall whether it should be tossed out.