DEAR EDITOR:

We’re in the 9th inning of the 2024 election season. And the Ohio GOP team of Gov. DeWine, Secretary of State LaRose, AG Yost and the GOP-controlled Ohio Legislature have just suffered the latest in a series of embarrassing “strikeouts” by arrogantly misreading the pulse of this state’s electorate.

In November 2023, this team opposed State Issue 1, the citizen-inspired constitutional amendment to protect reproductive rights. Voters approved it by a resounding double-digit majority. STRIKEOUT No. 1!

This year, the same team went on record to oppose State Issue 1, the “Citizens Not Politicians Ohio” anti-gerrymandering amendment inspired by independent, nonpartisan grass roots organizations. To make matters worse, the Ballot Board, led by LaRose, approved ballot language that shamefully misrepresents the intent of those who collected more than 700,000 petition signatures. Strikeout No. 2 pending on Nov. 5!

Just a week ago, a federal judge blocked a new Ohio law that prevented permanent residents and green-card holders from contributing to state political campaigns. The judge pointed out that it would be “absurd” to allow these same individuals “to fight and die for this country” while barring them from exercising their free speech rights. Strikeout No. 3!

Finally, on Nov. 4, a Franklin County court will hear arguments in a lawsuit called Vouchers Hurt Ohio, challenging the constitutionality of the 2023-2024 State of Ohio budget that allocated some $1 billion in taxpayer funds to cover the cost of vouchers given to students attending private schools. The lawsuit is being brought by the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding and has been joined by about half of Ohio’s 614 school districts. Strikeout No. 4 pending!

STEPHEN HANZELY

Poland