Ohio seeks stay in complying with judge on early voting

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio wants a federal judge to delay enforcement against a state law trimming early voting opportunities while an appeal is heard.

A filing today requests a stay through the August special election and November’s if possible. Officials assert they lack time to comply with District Judge Michael Watson’s order before August voting begins and changing rules between August and November risks voter harm and confusion.

The Ohio Democratic Party and others sued over the law eliminating a so-called golden week when Ohioans could both register to vote and cast early ballots and over a series of Republican-backed voting changes.

Judge Watson sided with Democrats on their golden-week claim, ruling the cut unconstitutional.

Ohio’s Democratic chairman says “even George Orwell would blush” at claims voters would be hurt by additional voting days.