Ohio Fair Courts Alliance

Ohio courts still mulling reproductive rights cases, one set to extend into 2026 • Ohio Capital Journal Ohioans are still awaiting the resolution of two different cases related to reproductive rights in the state.

Ohio courts still mulling reproductive rights cases, one set to extend into 2026

By: @susantebben.bsky.social

ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/12/05/o...

Ohio Supreme Court rules cops can be considered victims under Marsy's Law • Ohio Capital Journal The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled police officers can be considered victims, and thus not subject to public disclosure, under Ohio’s Marsy’s Law privacy protections.

The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled police officers can be considered victims under Ohio’s Marsy’s Law privacy protections. This allows law enforcement officers to shield their identity if they were the subject of a criminal offense.

By: @nckevns.bsky.social

ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/12/05/o...

To Protect Gerrymanders, GOP Lawmakers Target Judges — and Voters Read more here.

“The GOP’s attacks are highlighting the importance of state courts as perhaps the last line of defense for protecting fair elections.”
@billycorriher.bsky.social for @democracydocket.com

www.democracydocket.com/opinion/to-p...

☎️ Make 3 calls to Gov. DeWine's office to VETO SB 293 ☎️
No one should lose their vote due to a mail delay.
▶Gov. DeWine's office: 614-644-4357 or 614-466-3555
▶Gov. DeWine's Deputy Policy Dir.: 614-644-0929
▶Gov. DeWine's Legislative Affairs Dir.: 614-466-2828
Other contacts here: bit.ly/MikeDeWine

Ohio fines FirstEnergy $250M in landmark decision on HB 6 scandal It’s one of the biggest such penalties levied against a utility in U.S. history, though it falls short of what consumer advocates in Ohio had pushed for.

FirstEnergy's #HB6 scandal isn't over yet. Another PUCO case will get an evidentiary hearing in February. And just after last month's ruling on rate hikes, the company will file a new rate case early next year. @canarymedia.com @ejtodaynews.bsky.social www.canarymedia.com/articles/uti...

Taking stock of the Roberts court at 20—and the shadowy forces that built it "Roberts will go down in history as the most destructive chief justice."

“No Supreme Court majority in American history has ever been constructed the way the Roberts court has—with the help of big, dark secret money.” @thelisagraves.bsky.social
@truenorthresearch.bsky.social

www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

Bill cutting grace period to return absentee ballots in Ohio headed to DeWine A bill to require absentee ballots arrive at boards of elections by election day—eliminating the four day grace period in current law--is headed to Gov. Mike DeWine.

Voting rights advocates @ohiovotercoalition.bsky.social urge DeWine to veto SB293, saying it creates barriers for voters who mail their ballots b/c they can't get to their BOE to return them, only to risk being disenfranchised by delays in the post office.

www.statenews.org/government-p...

DeWine continues to hold bill that eliminates mail-in ballot grace period (The Center Square) – Voter groups continue to hope for their last chance to stop changes to Ohio law they call harmful and unnecessary.

Voter groups continue to hope to stop SB 293, a law they call harmful and unnecessary. The legislation eliminates a four-day grace period for mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day and creates new guidelines for election workers regarding registrations.
www.thecentersquare.com/ohio/article...

Lawmakers propose requiring that Ohio public bodies let the public speak at meetings House Bill 609, a bipartisan proposal, would amend the Ohio Open Meetings Act to give residents the right to speak before officials vote on agenda items.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio lawmakers have introduced legislation that would require public bodies across the state to allow residents to speak before officials take formal action on any agenda item.
by Mary Frances McGowan
www.cleveland.com/open/2025/12...

Bill cutting grace period to return absentee ballots in Ohio headed to DeWine A bill to require absentee ballots arrive at boards of elections by election day—eliminating the four day grace period in current law--is headed to Gov. Mike DeWine.

Bill cutting grace period to return absentee ballots in Ohio headed to DeWine
But while he signs most bills that come to him, he's suggested it’s not certain that he’ll sign this one.
by Karen Kasler
www.statenews.org/government-p...

🚨 URGENT! Tell Gov. DeWine to VETO SB 293!

In 2024, almost 10,000 ballots postmarked by Election Day arrived at their BOE’s during the 4-day window that SB 293 would eliminate. Clearly this is not a "minor revision."

Call: (614) 644-4357 or click here: act.commoncause.org/letters/urge...

Tell Gov. DeWine to VETO SB 293!
In 2024, almost 10,000 ballots postmarked by Election Day arrived at their Boards of Elections during the 4-day window that SB 293 would eliminate. Clearly this is not a "minor revision."
Call: (614) 644-4357
or click here:
act.commoncause.org/letters/urge...

Rosa Parks showed how one act of courage can spark change. Today we honor her legacy by standing up for equal rights and demanding a stronger democracy.

🕊️ Join our friends at Ignite Peace on Monday, December 15 to sign holiday cards for people on death row. Bring a friend and enjoy light refreshments.

Gov. DeWine, prioritize Ohio voters and veto SB 293: Collin Marozzi and Mia Lewis Ohio politicians owe it to Ohio voters to get it right and defend their constituents’ access to the ballot, not limit it due to federal pressure. That's why Gov. DeWine should veto SB 293, write guest...

Ohio politicians must stop placing obstacles on citizens participating in elections & the election experts running them.

Opinion by:
Collin Marozzi @acluohio.bsky.social
Mia Lewis @commoncauseohio.bsky.social

www.cleveland.com/opinion/2025...

Ohio Supreme Court rules police officer identities can be hidden from public under Marsy's Law Five of the seven Ohio Supreme Court justices ruled against the Columbus Dispatch. In a lawsuit, the newspaper asked the court to demand the city of Columbus release the identities of police officers ...

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled police officer identities can be hidden from the public under Marsy's Law, a state statute meant to protect the identities of crime victims.
www.wosu.org/politics-gov...

☎️ Make 3 calls to Gov. DeWine’s office & urge him to VETO SB 293!

⚠️ SB 293 is a harmful voting bill that will do away with the four-day grace period for postmarked ballots arriving after Election Day, hurting Ohio voters.

🗣️ Tell Gov. DeWine to VETO SB 293!

Geauga County Judge Tim Grendell suspended from the bench for jailing teens in custody case Geauga County Judge Timothy Grendell’s 18-month suspension, with 12 months dropped if he remains in good standing, comes as county taxpayers await an appellate decision on whether they’ll pay $300,000...

The Ohio Supreme Court suspended Geauga County Judge Tim Grendell from the bench for violating judicial conduct rules when he jailed two teenagers for refusing to visit their father during a 2020 custody dispute.

www.cleveland.com/court-justic...

Ohio Supreme Court to hear case that could test self-defense laws A contractor shot his coworker and hit two neighbors’ houses. The Ohio Supreme Court will decide what self-defense laws mean for bystanders.

The Ohio Supreme Court will consider what Ohio’s self-defense laws mean for bystanders whose persons or property get caught in the crossfire.
signalohio.org/ohio-supreme...

State utility regulators order FirstEnergy to pay $250 million in HB6 penalties The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on Wednesday ordered FirstEnergy to pay more than $250 million in total for misconduct related to the House Bill 6 bribery scandal.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio hit FirstEnergy with more than $250 million in penalties for misconduct related to the HB 6 scandal (the largest bribery scandal in Ohio’s history).

www.cleveland.com/news/2025/11...

Urgent: Tell Gov DeWine to Protect Voting and Veto SB293 Senate Bill 293 is a voter suppression bill that will do away with the four-day grace period for postmarked ballots arriving after election day. The bill also contains a grab bag of harmful unfunded p...

🚨 Senate Bill 293 is a harmful voting bill that will make voting and election administration harder and do away with the four-day grace period for postmarked ballots arriving after election day.

🗣️ Tell Gov. DeWine to VETO SB 293!

act.commoncause.org/letters/urge...

@commoncauseohio.bsky.social

Today, the PUCO issued orders in its HB6 investigations.

It found FirstEnergy’s Ohio utilities violated Ohio law, PUCO regulations, and PUCO orders. The utilities are ordered to pay a combined $250 million in restitution to customers & civil forfeitures.

puco.ohio.gov/news/puco-or...

State Supreme Court Diversity - November 2025 Update Many state supreme courts lack diversity in terms of their justices’ race, ethnicity, gender, and professional background.

NEW from @statecourtreport.org: Diversity on the Bench

State supreme courts, which generally have the final say in interpreting state laws and constitutions, also often fail to reflect the diversity of their communities (including Ohio).

@brennancenter.org

www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...

Homeowners Can Maintain Lawsuit Against Cleveland for Harm Caused by Airport Expansion

The Ohio Supreme Court held residents who claimed noise and vibrations from Cleveland’s airport made their home unlivable could sue Cleveland for compensation for a taking, even though they reside outside city boundaries.

www.courtnewsohio.gov/cases/2025/S...

Call your State Rep to vote NO on SB 293! SB 293 punishes Ohio voters whose ballots are delayed in the mail through no fault of their own. This attack on mail-in voting hurts Ohio voters — call your Rep NOW and tell them to reject SB 293.

Log your call: actionnetwork.org/forms/log-yo...

LOG YOUR CALL: Tell Your Ohio Representative To Protect Voting and Vote No on SB293 Ohio Senate Bill 293 (SB293) is the latest attempt to make it harder to vote in Ohio. The bill would end the four-day grace period for absentee ballots to arrive and be counted after Election Day. SB...

Please tell your Ohio Representative to vote NO on SB 293!
actionnetwork.org/forms/log-yo...

SB293 was introduced Oct. 14 and already passed in the Senate. The first hearing is November 18 and the agenda has the bill marked for a possible vote.

Call your State Rep. today!
commoncause.org/ohio/article...

State Legislatures Can Push Back Against Citizens United State lawmakers can fight the influence of big money in politics by passing trigger laws that would go into effect if the Supreme Court’s misguided ruling is reversed.

Citizens United unleashed a flood of corporate money in politics. State trigger laws can prepare the ground for real reform when the Court changes course. bit.ly/3Xsczat

Report shows scandal-plagued Ohio utility made $108 million in errors. It wants customers to pay As it was in the midst of financing a $61 million bribery scheme, Akron-based FirstEnergy also improperly claimed millions in construction expenses, according to a new report. The company classified…

As it was in the midst of financing a $61 million bribery scheme, Akron-based FirstEnergy also improperly claimed millions in construction expenses, according to a new report.

via @ohiocapitaljournal.com