Columbus – Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) issued the following statement today after the Ohio Senate voted along party lines to create two primaries in 2012--a change that will cost taxpayers an estimated $15 million:
“It is the height of hypocrisy for Republicans, who claim to be fiscal conservatives, to pass a bill that needlessly spends $15 million of taxpayers’ money. Substitute House Bill 318 is fiscally irresponsible and will only add cost and confusion to our elections. Furthermore, the rationale behind the legislation simply defies logic.
“I offered an amendment to create one primary in June for state, local and federal elections. It would have saved money and simplified our elections by asking voters to make only one trip to the polls next spring instead of two. But, this common sense alternative was swiftly rejected by Republicans.
“Instead of making it easier for Ohioans to vote, Republicans seem intent on causing confusion, suppressing voter turnout and needlessly spending scarce resources.”