Articles from Columbus Dispatch - politics

The state of Ohio asked a federal judge Thursday to dismiss a lawsuit voter advocates filed this week over a new primary-election plan state lawmakers adopted after polls were closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.In a response filed in the U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, state attorneys argued that changing the election again would sow more confusion among voters and that voting-rights groups’ lawsuit is built on the erroneous claim that Ohio’s […]

Acknowledging Ohioans’ frustrations and economic fears, Gov. Mike DeWine laments extending his stay-at-home order to May 1 – while warning even that date may be optimistic – to undercut the rise of coronavirus.But, DeWine said the science and experts warn the price to be paid for liberating Ohioans could dramatically increase the number of dead – which rose by 25% to 81 on Thursday – and the numbers fallen ill.Ohioans are confronted with an additional four […]

Just three states, Arizona, Nevada and Missouri, spend less on public health per resident than Ohio, according to one study. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has been applauded for his response to coronavirus despite the state’s comparatively low spending on public health.

The coronavirus continues its relentless rise in Ohio — advancing toward a projected peak later this month — prompting state leaders on Wednesday to take steps to speed up testing and seek a pause in small-business evictions and property foreclosures.Amid limited testing that conceals the true extent of the pandemic, total cases rose by 348 (16%) to 2,547 from the day prior, and deaths increased by 10 to a total of 65 since the virus first was confirmed in Ohio on […]