Hey, Mr. Dann, don't they do secret ballots at STRS, too?

OSU trustees must choose their leader in public, attorney general says

By Kathy Lynn Gray
The Columbus Dispatch
Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann told Ohio State University's trustees today that they cannot choose their next chairperson by secret ballot.

The board decided in early February to elect its next chairperson rather than have the person who had been on the board the longest serve in that position. The board decided its vote would be by secret ballot.

Ohio State attorney Chris Culley said at the time that he had investigated the matter and determined that a secret ballot would be legal.

Dann informed the board today in a letter, however, that he believes a chairperson only can be elected by a roll call or voice vote.

“Secret ballots are to be strictly avoided, as the secret ballot on actions by public bodies frustrates both the letter and the intent of the Open Meetings Law because it masks the openness of the decision-making process,” he wrote.

“When an individual citizen accepts the rights and responsibilities of public office, he assumes the duty to stand and be counted on the record for his actions and decisions affecting the agency with which he serves.”

The board will vote Friday, at its March meeting.

Board Chairman Judge Bob Duncan and Culley could not be immediately reached for comment.