Arndt awarded for making voting more accessible

PORT CLINTON — State Rep. Steve Arndt, R-Port Clinton, on Friday received the 2018 Robert E. Hughes Legislator of the Year award on behalf of the Ohio Association of Election Officials.This past budget cycle, Arndt worked closely with state Rep. John Patterson, D-Jefferson, to include language to fund the voting machine replacement program.Politicians noted Arndt worked tirelessly, and in a bipartisan manner, to educate fellow legislators on the importance of a strong partnership between state and local governments to replace voting equipment."I am honored by this recognition," Arndt said in a statement. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank my friend in the Ohio Senate, Senator Randy Gardner, who helped me out greatly in getting this language included in House Bill 49."State Rep. Steve Arndt, R-Port Clinton, recently won the 2018 Robert E. Hughes Legislator of the Year award on behalf of the Ohio Association of Election Officials. It recognizes politicians who make voting better and more accessible to all.He continued: "I believe that local elections are the form of government with the most direct impact on the function of the community, (no matter if it's) the mayor of your hometown, the county auditor, the county commissioner (along with) local levies to fund projects or local services. Local government is the most responsive to the will of the community. Unfortunately, the right to vote in a local election, a right guaranteed by the Ohio Constitution, is one that many take for granted."Members in both the house and senate commended Arndt."This is another example of how Steve Arndt takes his local government experience and willingness to work across party lines to Columbus," said Gardner, R-Bowling Green, who's also the senate majority leader. "I'm glad both Republican and Democratic election board officials recognized his leadership on this issue. There is more work to do, but I'm glad Steve is on the front lines working with me."In this 2017 photo, state Rep. Steve Arndt, left, and state Sen. Randy Gardner appear on Between the Lines with Matt Westerhold. Arndt recently won the 2018 Robert E. Hughes Legislator of the Year award on behalf of the Ohio Association of Election Officials. "I'm glad both Republican and Democratic election board officials recognized his leadership on this issue," Gardner said.