Russo Campaigns in Jefferson County, Outlines Election Priorities
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STEUBENVILLE -- With 88 counties in Ohio, staying on top of election issues is an important part of the secretary of state’s job.
“Every board of elections in every county is different, and there are unique issues,” Allison Russo said Tuesday after meeting with Jefferson County Board of Elections officials. “We have 88 counties across the state, and it’s good to hear from the people who are boots on the ground. Our elections run because of our local county elections officials and understanding their unique issues or concerns.”
Russo, the Democratic candidate for secretary of state, was in Steubenville as part of a campaign swing that included stops with the Upper Ohio Valley Building and Trades Council and at the Jefferson County Fair.
She said visiting every county board of elections would be a priority if elected.
“I think that’s important, and something for me, as secretary of state, that will be a priority when I take office -- visiting with every single county board of elections to have those conversations,” Russo explained.
Russo is running against Republican Bob Sprague and Libertarian Tom Pruss for the seat currently held by Republican Frank LaRose, who is term-limited and running for state auditor.
While the secretary of state’s office handles other duties, including notary licenses and corporate registrations, Russo said elections are its most visible responsibility.
“I think, right now, Ohio has a very good process. I do agree with the current secretary of state that we are the gold standard,” Russo said. “We have elections that are run by dedicated local election officials. We have Republicans and Democrats who are part of the process. Everything has a check and balance. We have a lot of security in the process.”
Russo said her priorities would include advocating for voters, supporting county election officials and increasing civic engagement.
She also said she opposes Issue 3, which would amend the state constitution to require photo identification to vote.
“Voter ID has been a requirement in Ohio for a couple of decades now, and it works,” she said. “The current photo ID requirements we have, which were put into place two years ago, are some of the strictest in the country.”
Sprague’s campaign disagreed with Russo’s assessment.
“Russo has voted three times against photo identification to vote and opposes Issue 3 to put photo ID requirements into the Ohio constitution, but she supports ballot harvesting drop boxes and letting noncitizens vote in Ohio elections,” spokesman Dalton Throckmorton said. “As secretary, she would gut virtually every election security measure Ohio has put in place to keep our elections honest and voter fraud rare.”
Eddie Adballa, chairman of the Jefferson County Democratic Party, endorsed Russo’s candidacy, saying she would make voting more accessible to eligible voters.