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SOS Frank LaRose Issues Directive – August 2nd for next primary

By Contributing Writer on June 1, 2022

SECRETARY OF STATE FRANK LAROSE ISSUES DIRECTIVE TO COUNTY BOARDS OF ELECTIONS FOLLOWING FEDERAL COURT RULING

Boards of Election to immediately resume preparations for another secure and accessible election for Ohio on August 2nd

(Columbus) – Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose issued a directive today, following a federal court order to conduct a statewide primary election on August 2 using the third set of General Assembly district maps adopted by the Ohio Redistricting Commission in February.

The federal court recognized in its decision that Ohio voters have a constitutional right to make their voice heard in a primary election this year. This ruling is a temporary solution that allows Secretary LaRose and the 88 bipartisan county boards of elections to conduct the election that Ohioans deserve, while not removing the burden on the Ohio Redistricting Commission to adopt a more permanent, constitutional solution for the 2024 election cycle and beyond.

“The court’s order eliminates any lingering uncertainty and sets the remainder of the 2022 election year in motion,” said LaRose. “My office and our partners at the 88 county boards of elections are already working this weekend to implement these directives. Despite the unprecedented delays and challenges we’ve faced this year, we remain committed to giving Ohioans the accessible election they expect and the confidence in the integrity of that election which they deserve.

The directive issued today by the Secretary of State’s Office informs Ohio’s 88 county boards of elections of the following:

A statewide primary election will be conducted on August 2, 2022 for the offices of State Representative, State Senator, and Member of [Political Party] State Central Committee.
The boards will use the district data files for the Third District Map adopted by the Ohio Redistricting Commission on February 24, 2022 (86 of 88 counties have already completed programing their systems for this set of maps).
All boards must program their voter registration and central tabulation systems with the Third District Map data by June 7, 2022.
Boards must follow the revised elections calendar set forth in the directive for candidate petition recertification, protests, residency, withdrawals, independent candidacies, campaign finance deadlines, and other key requirements associated with conducting a statewide primary election on August 2, 2022.