In the latest twist over provisional ballots in Ohio, yesterday Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell adopted ballot rules drafted by federal district court judge James Carr. Under these rules, provisional ballots must be provided to voters who show up at the wrong precinct, so long as they are registered to vote in that county. Carr had struck down the prior rules issued by Blackwell's office because they would not have allowed the issuance of provisional ballots to individuals who attempted to vote at the wrong precinct, and also rejected the revised rules Blackwell put forward on Monday. As an added twist, Carr ordered Blackwell to prepare back up rules in case Carr's order is struck down. Blackwell has appealed Carr's initial ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. The Plain Dealer's coverage is available here.
