A federal judge is hearing arguments today in a lawsuit involving two Montgomery County Democratic elections officials who claim they were unjustly fired by Ohio's secretary of state.
Republican Jon Husted fired the two members of the Montgomery County Board of Elections late last month. He said they violated his order that set uniform early voting hours in the state.
Ex-board members Dennis Lieberman and Thomas Ritchie Sr. are suing Husted, saying he wrongfully terminated them after they voted to allow early voting on weekends.
The Democrats are asking the federal judge in U.S. District Court in Dayton to reinstate them to the board. They argue the county needs their experience to ensure a smooth, well-run election. The two together have nearly 28 years of experience on the board.