LaRose issues directive to remove statehouse races from Ohio primary ballot

COLUMBUS — Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose issued a directive Wednesday night stating that state House and Senate seats will not be on the May 3 ballot.

The directive comes as a state panel continues to work on constitutional maps for the state to use in the upcoming elections, our partners at WBNS report.

“In the wake of the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision last week invalidating the February 24, 2022 General Assembly district plan, it is not possible to include the primary contests for the Ohio House, Ohio Senate, and State Central Committee on the May 3, 2022 Primary Election ballot,” LaRose wrote.

LaRose states that this is the only “lawful and reasonable option” to be able to move forward with the May 3 Primary Election.

>> RELATED: Supreme Court decision on district maps puts May statehouse primary races in jeopardy

The boards of election must reprogram their databases and prepare ballots by April 5, according to the directive.

The directive comes after the Ohio Supreme Court rejected the third attempt to redistrict the Ohio Statehouse district maps.

The panel was asked to provide a set of legal maps to LaRose by March 28 and must be filed with the court by March 29.

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According to the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office, the Ohio General Assembly has the authority to decide when the General Assembly races will be held.

They could move the entire primary election to a later date or they could allow the statewide, congressional, and local races to continue on the May 3 ballot and reschedule the General Assembly primary contests for a later date.

That later date could be in August when the board of elections typically holds special elections.

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