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From the battlefield to the ballot box, a retired Air Force intelligence officer makes the case for restoring trust in Ohio election integrity.
Columbus politics has long favored the self-serving ambitions of insiders over the urgent needs of everyday Ohioans.
This tired ritual of party elites shuffling between government posts—like musical chairs with taxpayer-funded thrones—fosters inertia, not innovation. Career politicians don’t want to reform the system; they are the system, entrenched and unaccountable.
Meanwhile, the real crises facing Ohio families go unanswered: runaway inflation driving up living costs, unchecked waves of unassimilated immigration straining communities, and growing vulnerabilities in Ohio’s election systems caused by weak enforcement and outdated safeguards. Ohio election integrity has been sacrificed in favor of access, patronage, and political convenience.
From Military Service to Ohio Election Integrity Advocacy
As a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, devoted husband, and father of three, I never imagined trading civilian life for a run at Ohio Secretary of State. But after two decades in military intelligence—logging more than 1,200 combat hours, dismantling terror networks across four continents, and helping guide over $25 billion in Pentagon modernization efforts—I’ve had enough of watching faith in our core institutions erode from within.
The blood and resolve poured into the aftermath of 9/11 and the war on terror ring hollow today as free speech is silenced, institutions lose credibility, and Ohio’s elections face mounting distrust. Archaic technology, weak voter verification, and insider cronyism have created a system where confidence continues to decline. Ohio needs leadership willing to confront these problems directly.
Results, Not Rhetoric, in Ohio Elections
Was the sacrifice worth it? Absolutely—but only if those hard-earned skills are applied at home.
Over the past two years, my advocacy has produced tangible results. In 2024, I helped secure an Ohio Supreme Court ruling requiring proper voter ID training for election officials. I also championed House Bill 472, introducing military-grade cybersecurity standards aimed at protecting Ohio’s voting systems.
Yet time and again, entrenched political networks in Columbus shut out reformers while propping up establishment favorites. This insider protection racket deepens public cynicism at a time when trust in government is already dangerously low. Ohioans deserve leadership that delivers results, not recycled political careers.
The Stakes in the 2026 Ohio Primary
The May 2026 Republican primary presents a rare opportunity to break this cycle. Ohio has supported President Donald Trump three times, yet the state’s election laws still allow early in-person voting up to 28 days before Election Day and absentee ballots postmarked on Election Day to arrive days later.
These policies create vulnerabilities that undermine confidence in Ohio elections. In the 2024 election cycle, Hamilton County experienced fraudulent voter registration submissions by paid third-party canvassing organizations. Despite clear violations, no meaningful legal or financial consequences followed—encouraging repeat abuse.
Ohio election integrity cannot survive without accountability.
A Grassroots Campaign Focused on Trust
Ohioans are tired of the insider carousel. That’s why my campaign is powered by more than 4,500 grassroots, small-dollar donors—without money from lobbyists or special interests.
Through firsthand investigation, I have exposed phantom voter registrations, unreliable voting technology, and the blacklisting of principled poll workers. These are not partisan talking points; they are systemic failures that demand correction.
My Plan to Secure Ohio’s Elections
To restore confidence and strengthen Ohio election integrity, my plan includes:
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Streamlining Voting: Restore a true Election Day by reducing the current 28-day early voting period.
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Fortifying Ballots: Require pre-printed, hand-markable paper ballots with tamper-evident safeguards in all 88 counties.
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Enforcing Voter Verification: Implement universal photo ID requirements tied to residency and citizenship verification.
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Tightening Absentee Rules: Return to valid-excuse absentee voting only.
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Curbing External Interference: Prohibit non-federal third-party voter registration operations.
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Demanding Oversight: Require independent audits of voting systems and third-party reviews of campaign finance disclosures.
Choosing Results Over Relationships
The political insiders refuse to act. They tolerate weak enforcement, ignore affordability pressures on families, and allow election systems to decay. As an outsider with proven organizational discipline and operational experience, I intend to dismantle this broken system.
Voters—not party bosses—hold the real power. Ohio deserves leaders who prioritize results over relationships and integrity over access.
For twenty years, I defended America from threats abroad. Now, I’m asking Ohioans to help bring that same resolve to Columbus—restoring transparency, accountability, and lasting trust in our elections for generations to come.
Marcell Strbich
Candidate for Ohio Secretary of State
Retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel
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Editor’s Note:
This article is a guest opinion submission authored by a declared political candidate. The views and claims expressed are solely those of the author and are presented as opinion, not as reported or independently verified journalism by The Cincinnati Exchange. The Cincinnati Exchange does not endorse political candidates or campaigns.
