“Ohio’s Competitiveness Depends on Respecting Our Elections”

This November, Ohioans choose a U.S. senator, a governor, members of Congress and the legislature, hundreds of local officials, and the Secretary of State, Attorney General, and two members of the Ohio Supreme Court—the officials who would resolve any dispute about the election itself. Richard A. Stoff, Senior Advisor of Leadership Now Project, argues that a prolonged fight over counting, certification, or a lawful result lands on Ohio’s economy and reputation, not only its politics.

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“That is a commitment, not a prediction.”

— Richard A. Stoff, Senior Advisor, Leadership Now Project

The statement Stoff signed with more than 50 business and civic leaders from across the state—Republicans, independents, and Democrats—commits them to stand with Ohio’s election officials against threats and intimidation, correct demonstrably false claims regardless of who makes them, defend officials and judges from improper political interference, and speak publicly and together if lawful certification is obstructed. Signers include Chuck Ratner and Dick Pogue in Cleveland, Jeni Britton and Martyn Redgrave in Columbus, and John Pepper and Tom Williams in Cincinnati.

His case rests on what Ohio already has. The state counts through 88 county boards of elections, each led by two Republicans and two Democrats. Ballots are marked on paper, equipment is tested in public before it is used, and procedures are open to scrutiny. The safeguards are sound; the risk is to their stability.