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Ohio Democrats Criticize Provisional Ballots Lawsuit

Some Democratic lawmakers are criticizing GOP leaders for filing a lawsuit with the Ohio Supreme Court challenging when provisional ballots can be counted.

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde of Kent called the lawsuit "outrageous" during a press conference on Tuesday.  State Sen. Shirley Smith of Cleveland said Republicans are playing "silly games" with people's right to vote.

The comments come a day after Ohio Senate President Tom Niehaus and No. 2 House Republican Lou Blessing filed a lawsuit claiming Secretary of State Jon Husted is violating the Ohio Constitution by ordering county election boards to follow a federal court decree instead of state law on counting provisional ballots.

Ohio's elections law passed in 2006. It is more restrictive about when to count provisional ballots.

Stories from the Associated Press.