Trial date set in Ohio dispute over early voting

COLUMBUS (AP) — A federal trial date has been set for Aug. 19 in a dispute over early voting in the presidential battleground state of Ohio.

President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign and Democrats filed a lawsuit in 2012 against the state’s elections chief over an Ohio law that cuts off in-person early voting for most residents three days before Election Day.

The law makes an exception for military personnel and Ohio voters living overseas. Democrats claimed that was unequal treatment, and everyone should have the chance to vote on the three days.

A federal judge agreed and temporarily allowed voting on the final days before the 2012 presidential election, returning discretion to local elections boards.

The two sides have been unable to resolve the litigation since 2012.