The Ohio Coalition To End Qualified Immunity (The OCEQI) announces serious concerns regarding Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s repeated public hostility toward the proposed initiative aimed at ending qualified immunity, prosecutorial immunity, sovereign immunity, and all statutory immunities enjoyed by the government to the detriment of the people.

Over the past two years, Secretary LaRose has engaged in a pattern of false and disparaging statements about the initiative and its sponsors, referring to it as an “assault on our state constitution” and accusing its backers of being financed by “the radical left.” In an article by the Toledo Blade on August 10, 2023, Secretary LaRose claimed the initiative “threatens to unleash a flood of frivolous, politically motivated lawsuits against the brave men and women trying to protect our communities.”

Following the Attorney General’s certification of the initiative, Secretary LaRose took to social media to declare that Ohio was becoming “the new California,” alleging that voters are facing an “unending parade of extremist dark-money funded ballot issues.” These inflammatory remarks are indicative of a clear bias against the initiative and its sponsors.

The OCEQI contends that Secretary LaRose’s repeated public statements demonstrate an inability to act impartially in his role. For Ohio judges, recusal is required when impartiality might reasonably be questioned. Given Secretary LaRose’s open opposition and admitted bias, and referencing the same logic required for judicial recusal, The OCEQI is calling on him to recuse himself from the Ballot Board’s consideration of the initiative.

“Not only does an appearance of bias exist, actual debilitating bias has been admitted by Secretary LaRose in his public statements. Recusal is required,” states Mark R. Brown, Attorney for the committee.

The Ohio Ballot Board hearing will take place in the Grant Hearing Room of the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday, December 4 at 10:30 AM

Full letter to Sarah Huffman, Deputy Chief Legal – Elections, Office of the Ohio Secretary of State: oceqi.org/press/letter-requesting-secretary-laroses-recusal-in-ballot-board-hearing