GOP criticizes ruling by Ohio elections chief

7/22/2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio Ohio's elections chief won't require counties to mail voters an absentee ballot application ahead of the November election.

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner says the Ohio Legislature didn't provide enough money for all counties to pay for the mailings.

Republicans lawmakers disagree. They said Tuesday there is enough money to go around if it is spent only on counties that don't already fund the mailings with their own money.

Franklin County, Hamilton County and Cuyahoga County home to Ohio's largest cities use their own funds. Republican state Rep. Jay Hottinger says Brunner ignored lawmakers' intent to have a uniform process around the state.

This will be the first presidential election in Ohio in which voters don't have to provide a reason for voting absentee.