Ohio Republicans defend state control as Trump pushes federal elections

Ohio lawmakers largely push back against Donald Trump’s call to federalize elections. House Speaker Matt Huffman rejects ceding control to the federal government, insisting Ohio should run its own elections, while U.S. Sen. Jon Husted and Sen. Bernie Moreno back the federal SAVE Act, which would require citizenship proofs to register to vote. Gov. Mike DeWine and Secretary of State Frank LaRose tout Ohio’s election integrity and state-led administration, even as they discuss federal standards; experts say the president cannot unilaterally take over elections and that Congress, not the presidency, would set federal election rules. All sides highlight the ongoing tension between state control and calls for federal oversight.