Ohio Senate

A federal court upheld Ohio's age verification law for social media and websites, a report found over 600,000 Black Ohioans did not vote in the 2022 midterms, and Ohio lawmakers abandoned efforts to regulate data centers amid tax break disputes.

Ohio lawmakers passed Senate Bill 19, which mandates academic interventions for students struggling in math or reading and includes an exemption allowing classical schools to avoid teaching the science of reading curriculum. The bill, now sent to Gov. Mike DeWine, requires schools to provide free interventions like tutoring and extended learning time for students scoring below proficiency levels.

Ohio Republican lawmakers passed a resolution to send a constitutional amendment requiring voter photo ID to the November ballot. The existing law already mandates photo ID for voting, but the amendment aims to enshrine it in the state constitution. Democratic lawmakers argue the current law is sufficient and working.

Ohio Republican lawmakers passed a bill requiring absentee voters to provide a copy of their driver's license or state ID starting with the November 2027 election. The bill, which originated as a measure to waive birth certificate fees for homeless individuals, was amended to include ID requirements and passed the Senate 23-10 and the House 60-34. Supporters argue it strengthens election integrity, while opponents claim it will make voting harder for seniors and marginalized groups.

The Ohio Senate voted to advance a constitutional amendment requiring photo ID for voting, which would be placed on the ballot if 60% of House members support it. Senate President Rob McColley predicted strong voter support, while critics argue the proposal may face legal challenges or fail to address stricter voting restrictions. Opponents and advocates highlight differing concerns about election security and accessibility.

Ohio Republicans, including Rob McColley and Matt Huffman, are pushing to enshrine voter photo ID requirements into the state constitution via a November ballot measure, despite opposition claims that it's a political move to boost turnout. Critics, including the ACLU's Gary Daniels and House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn, argue the law is already in effect and the amendment could restrict voting access. Republicans deny the effort aims to influence the midterm election, stating it's about securing the election system.

Ohio lawmakers are fast-tracking a constitutional amendment to duplicate existing voter ID laws, urged by Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The rushed effort aims to enshrine the state's strict photo ID requirements in the constitution, despite the law already being in place since 2023. The article questions the political motives behind the move, suggesting it is a strategic bid to boost turnout in the 2026 election.

CBS News projected Sherrod Brown as the winner of the Democratic primary, while Jon Husted ran unopposed in the Ohio Senate race. The outcome sets the stage for the general election. The primary results indicate a contested Senate seat.

Senator Jon Husted and former Senator Sherrod Brown are expected to face off in the Ohio Senate race to fill out the remainder of Vice President Vance's seat. Husted was appointed to the seat by Governor Mike DeWine in 2024 and faces no primary challenger. Brown served three terms in the Senate and is seeking the Democratic primary nod.