I’ve already mentioned the writ of mandamus filed by Republicans in the Ohio state Supreme Court seeking to bar Ohio election officials from being able to allow people to register to vote and file absentee ballots at the same time during a five day overlap period at the end of September.
Now comes word that the ACLU in Ohio has filed suit in federal court “challenging an Ohio county that is denying absentee ballots to newly registered voters in violation of directives issued by Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner.” You can find the litigation documents here.
As I understand it, the state court suit raises state issues (though federal issues may come up as part of the Secretary of State’s defense of her position). The federal suit raises federal claims, and features different parties, so the state’s Supreme Court’s decision would not preclude a contrary federal court decision.
More on this to come. UPDATE: Most of the same groups bringing the federal suit have filed this amicus brief in the state mandamus action.