A new poll commissioned by the Democratic organization fighting to repeal the election law overhaul known as House Bill 194 shows that 54 percent of Ohioans favor repeal compared to 31 percent who oppose it.

The poll comes as Republican lawmakers work on a plan to repeal House Bill 194 and replace it with some of the bill’s less-controversial components.

Jennifer Brunner, former Democratic secretary of state and a leader of the Fair Elections Ohio group that is pushing the referendum in November, said that, in theory, it would be “just fine” to repeal House Bill 194, so long as it is not replaced with a new law. “We’re not hearing anything coming from the legislature about a straight repeal.”

Brunner said she also worries that lawmakers could revisit elections law changes during the lame-duck session that begins after the November election through late December. “They could go to town and basically try to do everything that would have been subject to a vote of the people. We’re in really uncharted territory. You’ve got a legislature that doesn’t want to face the consequences for its actions.”

Senate President Tom Niehaus, R-New Richmond, has said he is listening to those who want the law repealed. He and others have said there are non-controversial changes to election law, such as allowing local boards to make bulk purchases, that could be re-enacted in time for the November election.

“Lawmakers need to leave well-enough alone,” Brunner said. “It’s obvious they figured out this is a bad law and they potentially could sustain political damage if it’s on the ballot.” She added that she thinks the long-term plan is to “move chess pieces around so the GOP can use the initiative and referendum process to better situate themselves for voter turnout in the fall.”

Secretary of State Jon Husted has called for a repeal of House Bill 194, citing concern about voter confusion where Ohioans would be voting under one set of laws while listening to a public debate over different election laws.

The poll, conducted by Lake Research Partners, has a margin of error of 3.7 percent.

The question asked by the poll lists many of the key complaints Democrats have made about House Bill 194. The question read:

“As you may know, last year the Ohio Legislature passed a law that reduces the time period for voting by mail and early voting from 35 days to 16 days, closes early voting locations on Saturday afternoon and Sundays, and prevents counties from sending out vote-by-mail applications to voters. It also specifies that poll workers don't have to tell voters they are in the wrong precinct and requires voters to give part of their social security numbers if they don't have photo ID. This year, a referendum will be on the Ohio ballot asking the voters if they approve of this law and its changes to voting. If the election were held today would you vote YES to approve the new law and its changes to voting or NO to reject the new law and its changes to voting, or are you undecided?”