Ohio elections chief fires 2 Democratic officials

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The state's elections chief has fired two Democrats from an elections board in southwest Ohio after they pushed to extend early voting hours into the weekend beyond his order.

Secretary of State Jon Husted (HYOO'-sted) initially suspended Thomas Ritchie Sr. and Dennis Lieberman from their positions on the Montgomery County Board of Elections. He then temporarily lifted his suspension last week so the Dayton-area board could continue its work.

A state hearing officer recommended Monday that Husted remove the board members for failing to act consistently with his order.

Husted, a Republican, has directed election boards in Ohio's 88 counties to have the same early in-person voting hours on weekdays and have no hours on weekends.

The board members contend they abided by the directive, which they say was ambiguous.