From the Election Protection coalition's morning update email:

EP volunteers and the EP hotline received widespread [reports] of voting machine problems leading to delays, as well as problems with confusion implementing the state’s photo ID requirement. Additionally, one polling place opened late because of an overnight break in. A local TV station aired footage of Congresswoman Jean Schmidt’s battle with an optical scan voting machine, which repeatedly rejected her ballot.

Dem candidate for governor Ted Strickland has pulled way, way, way ahead of GOP challenger Ken Blackwell, widening his lead to a formidable 25 points. A new Rasmussen poll finds that Strickland is leading Blackwell 57 percent to 32 percent.

Despite her protestations to the contrary, Jane Mitakides is in fact dropping out of the special Dem primary to replace Stephanie Studebaker. She's endorsing Richard Chema. Basketball star Roosevelt Chapman is also leaving the race.

The Ohio blogosphere is alive with rumors that Jane Mitakides is dropping out of the Dems's special election to replace Stephanie Studebaker -- you know, the poor woman who recently dropped her candidacy after getting arrested for domestic violence. (With a mug shot like this, how could she possibly compete?) But we just checked in with Mitakides's campaign, and she emailed us word that she is definitely, emphatically staying in the race: "As of today, I have over $50,000 in my coffers, and I am preparing to announce some key endorsements."

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Dem Jane Mitakides is running in OH-03, Political Wire confirms. Buckeye State Blog says perennial candidate Charles Saunders and Jude Logan Demers (this one?) have also taken out nominating petitions. But Mitakes, who ran against GOP Rep. Michael Turner in 2004, is the clear frontrunner in the Sept. 15 special election.

Stephanie Studebaker, the Dem candidate arrested with her husband for domestic violence last weekend, withdraws from Congressional race. And Buckeye State Blog speculates as to who will run in the special election to replace Studebaker. One option: Ohio antiwar hero Paul Hackett.

Dem challenger Stephanie Studebaker and her husband arrested on domestic violence charges. No details yet available.

Meanwhile, Studebaker's campaign Web site is down. Both not good signs.

UPDATE: Now the Associated Press is running a story on the arrest.