U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice on Thursday refused to restore two members of an Ohio county elections board who were fired by Secretary of State Jon Husted after they attempted to establish weekend early voting hours against his orders.
Montgomery County Board of Elections members Dennis Lieberman and Tom Ritchie Sr. “failed to identify any fundamental right or liberty interest that was violated by their removal,” Rice said in a 27-page ruling denying their request for a preliminary injuction. Following a separate ruling, Husted eventually set voting hours statewide for the weekend and Monday before the election.
“Today’s decision is a victory for accountability in our elections system,” Husted said in a statement. “Rules must be followed and I will continue to hold individuals accountable who fail to do so.”
