News
DeWine: Ohio Election Law Violates Free Speech
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is urging the Supreme Court to rule as unconstitutional a state election law that bars people from making recklessly false statements about political candidates.
The legal filing is unusual because DeWine is opposing a law that he is charged with defending. The Republican says the election law restricts free speech because it can be used against any person or organization wishing to advertise against a candidate.
At issue is an Ohio law being challenged by the national anti-abortion advocacy group Susan B. Anthony List.
It comes after the group in 2010 unsuccessfully sought to put up a billboard advertisement that accused then Rep. Steven Driehaus, D-Ohio, of favoring taxpayer-funded abortions.
The court is scheduled to hear arguments on April 22.