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Democrats blame Blackwell for problems at polls
The Columbus Dispatch
May 04, 2006
Democrats reacted to problems with the introduction of new voting machines in many Ohio counties Tuesday by blaming Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, now the Republican nominee for governor. Jennifer Brunner, the Democratic nominee to replace Blackwell as secretary of state, argued Blackwell should have done more to train poll workers and avoid problems such as polling locations in some areas opening late. Critics argue Blackwell spent $2.5 million on a voter education campaign featuring himself prominently that gave Blackwell free publicity in advance of his run for governor and would have been better spent this year. "Obviously the current secretary of state has been busy playing politics instead of concentrating on his election administration responsibilities," Brunner said. State Sen. Teresa Fedor, D-Toledo, also called for a review of the federal funding Blackwell's office received to upgrade the state's election system. But Blackwell spokesman Carlo LoParo said the criticism is off base because the legislature mandated $2.5 million be given to counties for voter education this year, and that the 2004 campaign was needed for that important election. He also said that county elections boards run Election Day operations, and apart from problems in Cuyahoga County, most counties ran a successful primary vote Tuesday. "If Ms. Brunner wants to be secretary of state and has no idea how the process works, I advise her to hit the books," LoParo said. M.N.
