Ohio’s New Election Integrity Commission Begins Jan. 1 With Interim Chair O’Donnell

Overview

• Retired Ohio Supreme Court Justice Terrence O’Donnell will lead the five-member panel for its first 90 days, with former U.S. Attorney D. Michael Crites slated to take over in March once Senate Bill 293 takes effect.
• The new body replaces the seven-member Ohio Elections Commission created as an independent watchdog and shifts appointments so the secretary of state names the chair while four legislative leaders select the remaining members.
• At least three commissioners must be attorneys, and the panel will recommend fines and criminal referrals directly to the secretary of state on matters such as petition fraud, double voting, voter registration fraud and alleged ballot harvesting.
• Senate President Rob McColley appointed Karl Kerschner, Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio named Eben “Sandy” McNair, and House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn designated John Lyall, with the House speaker’s seat still unfilled.
• Republicans, led by Secretary of State Frank LaRose, argue the change restores enforcement after years of slow, inconsistent action and uncollected fines nearing $100 million, while Democrats warn the shift weakens independent oversight.