by Marc Kovac | Capital Bureau Chief Columbus -- The campaign ads have ended, but election-related debates likely will continue in the weeks and months ahead. That's partially because the official ballot count won't be completed until later in the month. But there's also discussion of potential election law changes and potential election law referendums. Some are proposing the placement of another redistricting reform proposal before voters. And political party attention is turning to the 2014 gubernatorial contest. Here are 10 things to keep in mind after the Nov. 6 election: 1. Turnout: More than 68 percent of Ohio's registered voters cast ballots -- 5.4 million of nearly 8 million. That compares to 70 percent (5.8 million of 8.3 million) in 2008. Highland and Clermont counties reported the highest turnout, at 97 percent and 93 percent, respectively. Both are smaller counties in southwestern Ohio near Cincinnati. Miami County north of Dayton had the lowest, with just 17,018 of 70,675 voters casting ballots, about 24 percent. 2. Still to Count: As of Nov. 7, there were still nearly 325,000 ballots that could be counted, though the final number likely will be much smaller. A total of 119,535 absentee ballots remained outstanding, meaning voters requested them before Election Day but either failed to cast them, opted to vote provisionally in person on Nov. 6, or mailed them too late for county boards to add to the unofficial count. Another 205,422 ballots were cast provisionally by people who forgot their IDs, neglected to update their registration addresses or who faced other questions about their eligibility. 3. Final Results: County election boards will begin their final count of all ballots around Nov. 16, with the final results completed before the end of the month. Depending on the margins in some races, the provisional and absentee ballots could swing the results. 4. GOP Control: Republicans lost the White House, but they maintained their majority control of the Ohio Statehouse, with a 23-10 margin in the Senate and a 60-39 margin in the House. The GOP retained all 15 of its seats in the Senate, with Democrats retaining three. Republicans unofficially have gained one seat in the House, though the final ratio could change when additional absentee and provisional ballots are added. 5. What's in a Name: Many are scratching their heads over the unofficial results in three races for the Ohio Supreme Court. Two incumbents, one a Democrat and one a Republican, lost, while one other incumbent won by a big margin. They all had one thing in common: Irish-sounding last names (Terrence O'Donnell, Bill O'Neill and Sharon Kennedy). Stephen Brooks, associate director of the Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron, said name recognition can be a deciding factor in nonpartisan judicial races, particularly in election years where public attention is focused on the presidential contest and other top-of-the-ballot contests. 6. Campaign Spending: Outside groups pumped billions of dollars into ads this election cycle, further evidence of a need for reform, said Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who topped Republican state Treasurer Josh Mandel in one of the ugliest races in the country. "I think voters will, in a funny sort of way, welcome beer ads, cars ads and detergent ads," Brown told reporters Nov. 7. "I think that voters were sick of this. I think voters were particularly sick not just of the quantity but of the nature of the attack ads." 7. Focus Shift: The Ohio Democratic Party is already eyeing the next gubernatorial election, distributing signs featuring pictures of Gov. John Kasich that read "2014 Can't Come Soon Enough" and "You're Next." Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern said he expected gubernatorial candidates from his side of the aisle to make themselves known in the near future, but he was mum on any specific names. 8. Absentee Applications: Voting rights advocates complained this week that absentee ballot applications sent by the secretary of state's office to most eligible voters caused too much confusion among the electorate. Conversely, advocates earlier complained when Secretary of State John Husted attempted to block county boards from sending unsolicited absentee applications to voters. Asked whether the blanket mailing by the secretary of state was necessary, the League of Women Voters of Ohio's Carrie Davis offered, "Regardless of what rules we have in place going forward... whatever options we have, we need to make clear to voters what their rights are. I think that's been a big source of confusion this election cycle." 9. Redistricting: The 2013 election could garner more interest than typical off-year contests, with the potential for several statewide ballot issues. Backers of a gay marriage amendment and a right to work amendment have been circulating petitions for months with hopes of qualifying for the ballot. Additionally, the Ohio Democratic Party indicated Nov. 7 that it may pursue another redistricting reform referendum, following the failure of Issue 2. 10. Early Voting: Republican Senate President Tom Niehaus still plans to move forward with a working group to study election-related issues and recommend law changes. Democrats said they stood ready block any such legislation that didn't receive bipartisan support. "The Ohio Democratic Party is prepared to take to referendum any legislation that impacts the early vote weekends without our support," Redfern said, adding, "We are well prepared to do that." Marc Kovac is the Dix Capital Bureau Chief. Email him at mkovac@dixcom.com or on Twitter at OhioCapitalBlog.
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