MasonBuzz.com

Barry M. Horstman reports:

Thousands of ballots routinely disqualified in past Ohio elections will be counted in next month’s presidential race under a decision Thursday by a Cincinnati-based federal appeals court.

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, in a key ruling dealing with a problematic aspect of Ohio’s electoral rules that kept a Hamilton County judicial race undecided for 18 months, declared that Ohio must count provisional votes cast in the right polling place but wrong precinct because of poll worker error.

That decision upholds an earlier ruling by U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley. It means that thousands of ballots that otherwise could have been tossed out instead may help decide whether President Barack Obama or Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney wins the state’s 18 electoral votes.

One uncertainty is whether Ohio will appeal Thursday’s decision, as Secretary of State Jon Husted did in another case earlier this week involving Ohioans’ right to cast early in-person absentee ballots on the final three days before the Nov. 6 election.

In Thursday’s case, Husted was not involved in the state’s appeal to the 6th Circuit on the wrong precinct issue. Late Thursday, it remained unclear whether Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine would appeal the 6th Circuit’s ruling before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Although both timetables are uncertain, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on whether to hear Husted’s appeal of the final three days’ ruling and Ohio’s choice on whether to appeal Thursday’s decision could come as early as today.

(more…)

Posted in: Election, News |

Tags: Tags: alicia reece, appeal, ballots, election, election 2012, jon husted, ohio, ohio secretary of state, provisional ballots, ruling, u.s. 6th circuit court of appeals, u.s. district judge algenon marbley, voting

The Enquirer

From the Taste of Cincinnati to Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson show, there’s a ton to do this weekend. Here are some ideas so you can start planning early.

Michael Jackson Cirque show. Photo provided

May 24: Smart Talk with Andie MacDowell
7:30 p.m., Aronoff Center, Procter & Gamble Hall, 650 Walnut St., Downtown.
Performance lecture series. Pre-show and free hors d’oeuvres for series subscribers. Doors open 6:30 p.m.
Andie MacDowell, actress, presents “Acting As A Way of Life.” $25-$85. Five-show subscriptions and three-show sampler packages available. Reservations required. 513-621-2787 |• Get tickets

May 25: Michael Jackson Cirque show
8 p.m., U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway, Downtown.
Tour takes place in a fantastical realm where fans discover Michael Jackson’s love of music, dance fairy tale, magic and the fragile beauty of nature.
$50-$250; plus fees. 800-745-3000 | Get tickets |• More information

May 25-28: Memorial Day weekend
There are a bunch of events going on all around the region. Here are a few of note:

• • Air races
• • Greater Cincinnati Memorial Day Dog Show
• • Memorial Re-Dedication and Flag Raising Ceremony
• • Tonic’s Memorial Day Weekend Bash
• • Memorial hike
• • Riverboat block party

For more events such as ceremonies and parades, search our calendar.

May 24-27: The Dream is Real weekend
11 p.m.-4 a.m. Saturday, 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Sunday, Skatin’ Place, 3211 Lina Place, Colerain Township.
Skate until the wheels come off. Hosted by Ohio State Representative Alicia Reece, D-Cincinnati. Part of the Dream Is Real Weekend. Ages 21 and up. Amazing Skate Part II. $15, $12 advance. 513-522-2424
More events:

• • The Dream Is Real Nati Happy Hour
•  Save the Dream All White Party
• • The Dream Is Real Weekend Family Fest Block Party

More information

Lucian Huddleson, 2, of Maineville leaps over a wave at Kings Island's new Soak City waterpark. The Enquirer/Rachel Richardson

May 25-26: MadLove Music Festival
5-11 p.m., Sawyer Point, Pete Rose Way, Downtown.
Food vendors, local beer from Hudephol and Christian Moerlein, climbing wall, a wall of expression, local wrestlers, comedians, circus performers and entertainment. More than 35 acts on two stages including thee national music performers. Rain or shine.
Scheduled to appear: Twenty One Pilots, Monty Benjamin, Those Guys, the Lions Rampant, Neon Medusa, the Amphibians, the Skeetones, Jake the Ripper, Manic Focus featuring Lisa Lottie, DJ Deepro, DJ Sinceer, Spark Tabor, Chip Denallen and others.
$20 for two-day pass; one-day pass: $20 Saturday, $15 Friday. 513-430-9098 | Get tickets

May 26: Soak City opens11 a.m.-7 p.m. at Kings Island.
The $10 million water park expansion doubles its size to 33 acres and features new amenities and attractions, including a new second wave pool, sand volleyball courts, three times more chairs and open grass for lounging.
Soak City has a new entrance where patrons can purchase tickets. Kings Island added new rentable cabanas with flat screen televisions and waiter service. | Get tickets and more information

May 26: Exhale Dance Tribe: Imprint
8 p.m., Aronoff Center, Jarson-Kaplan Theater, 650 Walnut St., Downtown.
Performance shows how we leave our imprint on the world each time we cross paths through friendship, love and life. Family friendly. Presented by Exhale Dance Tribe.
$32.50. 513-621-2787 | More information

May 26-28: Taste of Cincinnati USA
Noon-midnight Saturday and Sunday, noon-9 p.m. Monday, Downtown Cincinnati, Downtown Cincinnati, Downtown. On six blocks of Fifth Street, from Race to Broadway.
Food from more than 40 Greater Cincinnati restaurants. Music on multiple stages. Free. 513-579-3100• More information

• • Taste of Cincinnati quiz
• • Photos: 2012 Taste menu
• • Metromix stage at 2012 Taste
• • Photos: Taste through the years

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Community, Events, Kings Island, Recreational events |

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