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Unemployment Claims Top 100K, New Voter Sign-up Demanded

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The state says it has received 111,055 unemployment insurance benefit applications online in the past four days, due to layoffs related to coronavirus orders.

That compares to 3,895 during the same four days last week.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services hotline for unemployment benefits has been overwhelmed the past few days.

Officials are advising people to visit unemployment.ohio.gov and fill out an application.

The state has closed or reduced businesses in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Voting rights groups on Thursday demanded that Secretary of State Frank LaRose allow registration of new voters ahead of the June 2 date, saying prohibiting such registration violates federal law and the Ohio Constitution.

The central Ohio bus system suspended fares and asked riders to enter through the rear door.