Stephen Hardwick
@nonfinality.com
Appellate public defender. Poll worker. Peace Corps Tunisia. Low-level zoning chair. Wolverine in Buckeye land. Cyclist. Personal views only. On the payroll of the rain garden interests.
he/him
LOTR/poll worker feeds
https://www.eac.gov/help-america-vote
he/him
LOTR/poll worker feeds
https://www.eac.gov/help-america-vote
Pinned
Stephen Hardwick
@nonfinality.com
· Aug 26
I can’t over-emphasize how critical it is to have competent, rule-following poll workers with back bones. Now more than ever. To my attorney followers, we especially need you. To my non-attorney followers—you too.
Find out how to sign up where you are here: www.eac.gov/help-america...
Find out how to sign up where you are here: www.eac.gov/help-america...
A particularly floofy floof on a lazy Caturday
November 15, 2025 at 8:09 PM
A particularly floofy floof on a lazy Caturday
TIL some #AppellateSky and legal writing trivia. In its announcements, the Ohio Supreme Court lists the justices according to which opinion they joined without regard to authorship. In its opinions, the court begins with the justice who authored the opinion.
www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf...
www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf...
![Screenshot of page one of an opinion. The list of justices is at the end.
SLIP OPINION No. 2025-OHIO-5010
U.S. ACUTE CARE SOLUTIONS, L.L.C., APPELLEE, v. DOCTORS COMPANY RISK
RETENTION GROUP INSURANCE COMPANY, APPELLANT.
[Until this opinion appears in the Ohio Official Reports advance sheets, it may be cited as U.S. Acute Care Solutions, L.L.C. v. Doctors Co. Risk Retention Group Ins. Co., "Slip Opinion" No. 2025-Ohio-5010.]
Civil law-Insurance-Arbitration agreements—The presumption of arbitrability
applies to a bad-faith insurance-handling claim when the arbitration agreement contains a broad clause and the underlying civil action could not be maintained without referring to the insurance policy or the relationship between the insurer and the insured Court of appeals judgment reversed.
(No. 2024-0450 —Submitted April 2, 2025—Decided November 6, 2025.)
Appeal from the Court of Appeals for Stark County, No. 2023 CA 00084, 2024-Ohio-605.
(All names following this are in small caps: HAWKINS, J., authored the opinion of the court, which KENNEDY, C.J., and
FISCHER, DEWINE, BRUNNER, DETERS, and SHANAHAN, JJ., joined.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:csutosnyppard6uedwwwegww/bafkreiasijuoe25zmoa22mvan35xemg5f3w2mhmkbp5shy7cg7422hvxb4@jpeg)
November 14, 2025 at 5:07 PM
TIL some #AppellateSky and legal writing trivia. In its announcements, the Ohio Supreme Court lists the justices according to which opinion they joined without regard to authorship. In its opinions, the court begins with the justice who authored the opinion.
www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf...
www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf...
This is a lot like the advice our city attorney gives area commissions about open meeting rules: “If you’re trying to get around the sunshine laws, don’t.”
Maybe it comes down to what seems to be Rule One of content moderation: Content moderation will sometimes be unfair. One price for using social media is that at some point, you will be moderated unfairly.
Rule Two: Any attempt to get around a rule by being cute is itself a rule violation.
Rule Two: Any attempt to get around a rule by being cute is itself a rule violation.
November 13, 2025 at 1:05 AM
This is a lot like the advice our city attorney gives area commissions about open meeting rules: “If you’re trying to get around the sunshine laws, don’t.”
I’ve criticized the Dispatch enough here that I should praise them for something right that they’re doing—they’ve started sending a reporter to the Zoning & Variance Committee meetings I chair, as well as to the Commission we report to.
Going To The Meetings is a basic tool of journalism.
Going To The Meetings is a basic tool of journalism.
November 12, 2025 at 7:17 PM
I’ve criticized the Dispatch enough here that I should praise them for something right that they’re doing—they’ve started sending a reporter to the Zoning & Variance Committee meetings I chair, as well as to the Commission we report to.
Going To The Meetings is a basic tool of journalism.
Going To The Meetings is a basic tool of journalism.
One thing I miss from WFH is having her jump up on my desk. (I’m home today on a doctor’s-orders sick day. I should be back to work tomorrow.)
November 12, 2025 at 6:56 PM
One thing I miss from WFH is having her jump up on my desk. (I’m home today on a doctor’s-orders sick day. I should be back to work tomorrow.)
Why has Mayor Ginther continued to win despite some serious problems?Ginther’s last opponent, a progressive, ran on a platform that included closing a summer splash pad used by kids from all over the city. Why? A wealthy person living downtown might also benefit.
www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...
www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...
November 12, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Why has Mayor Ginther continued to win despite some serious problems?Ginther’s last opponent, a progressive, ran on a platform that included closing a summer splash pad used by kids from all over the city. Why? A wealthy person living downtown might also benefit.
www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...
www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...
Here are three of the Columbus Dispatch’s Bluesky posts since yesterday. I wonder how much Starbucks and Chick Fil A are paying the Dispatch for each bite of the paper’s credibility.
November 12, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Here are three of the Columbus Dispatch’s Bluesky posts since yesterday. I wonder how much Starbucks and Chick Fil A are paying the Dispatch for each bite of the paper’s credibility.
Too many local newspapers put a barrage of chaff between readers and the local news we often can’t get from any other source. The papers still choose stories the way they did 50 years ago—as if they were one of only a few ways people could get timely national and international news.
What I want from my local paper of record is simple:
An RSS feed of solely the local-news articles, excluding
- the weather (terrestrial and space)
- lottery numbers
- republished national news
- republished sponsored content
- viral videos
- evergreen explainers
- sports
An RSS feed of solely the local-news articles, excluding
- the weather (terrestrial and space)
- lottery numbers
- republished national news
- republished sponsored content
- viral videos
- evergreen explainers
- sports
November 12, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Too many local newspapers put a barrage of chaff between readers and the local news we often can’t get from any other source. The papers still choose stories the way they did 50 years ago—as if they were one of only a few ways people could get timely national and international news.
Worse than the kerning, the first person in T rump’s Presidential Hall of Fame is J efferson D avis.
The font would appear to be English 111 Adagio CE, available for the highly presidential sum of just $39.75 USD
Note "The" is not kerned correctly
(see perspective-corrected still for reference)
Note "The" is not kerned correctly
(see perspective-corrected still for reference)
November 12, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Worse than the kerning, the first person in T rump’s Presidential Hall of Fame is J efferson D avis.
Compassion, not ridicule, should be the reaction to people who are living through a withering barrage of legal, psychological, and physical attacks. Please, before going on the counter-attack, stop and think for a moment.
I get that the people criticizing you haven’t read your brief & are mis-characterizing your position. Granted. In mitigation (not excuse), all I ask is that before making fun of your critics, your followers should remember that trans people are under attack on so many fronts it’s legit frightening.
November 9, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Compassion, not ridicule, should be the reaction to people who are living through a withering barrage of legal, psychological, and physical attacks. Please, before going on the counter-attack, stop and think for a moment.
Reminds me of when I used to get customer service emails from Starbucks asking whether the baristas made an effort to get to know me. No. They didn’t. They understood that I wanted coffee and then to be left alone.
"Store employees are now required to smile if they are within 10 feet of a shopper.
They also must make eye contact with and wave to or greet the customer.
If they’re within four feet, the employee should ask how the customer’s day is going or if they need help."
🙄 Won't stop the boycott, y'all.
They also must make eye contact with and wave to or greet the customer.
If they’re within four feet, the employee should ask how the customer’s day is going or if they need help."
🙄 Won't stop the boycott, y'all.
Target is now requiring its employees to smile more
As the holiday season fast approaches, Target is urging its employees to add a little more “jolly” to their work routine.
www.wilx.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Reminds me of when I used to get customer service emails from Starbucks asking whether the baristas made an effort to get to know me. No. They didn’t. They understood that I wanted coffee and then to be left alone.
Floof on a quilt.
For Caturday, she’s joined me while I rest recovering from a minor cold. (My partner made this quilt herself!)
For Caturday, she’s joined me while I rest recovering from a minor cold. (My partner made this quilt herself!)
November 8, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Floof on a quilt.
For Caturday, she’s joined me while I rest recovering from a minor cold. (My partner made this quilt herself!)
For Caturday, she’s joined me while I rest recovering from a minor cold. (My partner made this quilt herself!)
No, contrary to what this Columbus Dispatch widget implies, Paul McCartney has not died. He’s just doing a concert in Ohio.
November 8, 2025 at 2:54 AM
No, contrary to what this Columbus Dispatch widget implies, Paul McCartney has not died. He’s just doing a concert in Ohio.
Good news—our public school district is stepping up to help alleviate the Trump-caused hunger.
Shamefully bad news—there’s a huge need for our public school district to step up to help alleviate the Trump-caused hunger.
Other bad news—why tf does this fall on already over-stretched school districts?
Shamefully bad news—there’s a huge need for our public school district to step up to help alleviate the Trump-caused hunger.
Other bad news—why tf does this fall on already over-stretched school districts?
November 6, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Good news—our public school district is stepping up to help alleviate the Trump-caused hunger.
Shamefully bad news—there’s a huge need for our public school district to step up to help alleviate the Trump-caused hunger.
Other bad news—why tf does this fall on already over-stretched school districts?
Shamefully bad news—there’s a huge need for our public school district to step up to help alleviate the Trump-caused hunger.
Other bad news—why tf does this fall on already over-stretched school districts?
Columbus has a whacky city council system that allows people to run to “represent” a specific district, but they get elected in at-large races. Vogel got 63% of the vote in my district, but 49% city wide. So my district doesn’t really have a vote on city council.
www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...
www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...
November 5, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Columbus has a whacky city council system that allows people to run to “represent” a specific district, but they get elected in at-large races. Vogel got 63% of the vote in my district, but 49% city wide. So my district doesn’t really have a vote on city council.
www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...
www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...
The free market has its flaws, but one “problem” it very effectively solves is “restaurants and food stands nobody wants.”
"All hot dog stands will be replaced with goat meat stands."
hold up. tell me more about that
hold up. tell me more about that
This guy
November 5, 2025 at 7:52 PM
The free market has its flaws, but one “problem” it very effectively solves is “restaurants and food stands nobody wants.”
If you’re in or near Boston, there are only 12 shows remaining for this production of the Dybbuk.
Professional review: artsfuse.org/294307/theat...
Tickets: tickets.arlekinplayers.com/events/arlek...
Professional review: artsfuse.org/294307/theat...
Tickets: tickets.arlekinplayers.com/events/arlek...
November 5, 2025 at 7:25 PM
If you’re in or near Boston, there are only 12 shows remaining for this production of the Dybbuk.
Professional review: artsfuse.org/294307/theat...
Tickets: tickets.arlekinplayers.com/events/arlek...
Professional review: artsfuse.org/294307/theat...
Tickets: tickets.arlekinplayers.com/events/arlek...
The violence inflicted by ICE goons in front of young children is a child abuse.
State and local officials should prosecute if they at all possibly can, and they can let the ICE goons take any affirmative defenses they think apply.
State and local officials should prosecute if they at all possibly can, and they can let the ICE goons take any affirmative defenses they think apply.
Raids inside day cares had been off limits until this year, when, on his first day in office, President Donald Trump removed that protection.
The arrest reportedly took place in front of children.
19thnews.org/2025/11/chil...
The arrest reportedly took place in front of children.
19thnews.org/2025/11/chil...
‘I have papers’: Child care worker detained by ICE officers inside a Chicago day care
Raids inside day cares had been off limits until this year, when, on his first day in office, President Donald Trump removed that protection.
19thnews.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The violence inflicted by ICE goons in front of young children is a child abuse.
State and local officials should prosecute if they at all possibly can, and they can let the ICE goons take any affirmative defenses they think apply.
State and local officials should prosecute if they at all possibly can, and they can let the ICE goons take any affirmative defenses they think apply.
One thing I’ve learned from 5 years of poll working—if you can, take Wednesday off. As a location manager, I had to bring the ballots back to the BOE (with an R ride-along), so it was a long night. I slept past 9am this morning. I’m about to enjoy this cappuccino & mindless space-opera sci fj book.
November 5, 2025 at 4:08 PM
One thing I’ve learned from 5 years of poll working—if you can, take Wednesday off. As a location manager, I had to bring the ballots back to the BOE (with an R ride-along), so it was a long night. I slept past 9am this morning. I’m about to enjoy this cappuccino & mindless space-opera sci fj book.
Perhaps the biggest privilege of my day of poll working—I got to serve a man casting his first vote as a new US citizen.
Find out how to serve where you are here: www.eac.gov/help-america...
Find out how to serve where you are here: www.eac.gov/help-america...
November 5, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Perhaps the biggest privilege of my day of poll working—I got to serve a man casting his first vote as a new US citizen.
Find out how to serve where you are here: www.eac.gov/help-america...
Find out how to serve where you are here: www.eac.gov/help-america...
Final poll working stats, and I still don’t know why it said I climbed 17 flights of steps this morning.
November 5, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Final poll working stats, and I still don’t know why it said I climbed 17 flights of steps this morning.
I can’t show anything official, but these are my lunch-time poll-working stats. I walk around a lot because I manage the place and because I can’t stay still.
November 4, 2025 at 5:10 PM
I can’t show anything official, but these are my lunch-time poll-working stats. I walk around a lot because I manage the place and because I can’t stay still.
This beats the stupid Boston Logan sign I saw—an airport map with no “you are here.”
November 2, 2025 at 9:06 PM
This beats the stupid Boston Logan sign I saw—an airport map with no “you are here.”
A real treat—watching a live performance of the Dybbuk in the old Vilna Shul in Boston. The “stage” ran the length of the sanctuary between 2 rows of pews and included 3 levels of scaffolding & 3 sets. The actors were often only a couple feet away. Awesome.
www.arlekinplayers.com
www.arlekinplayers.com
November 2, 2025 at 7:10 PM
A real treat—watching a live performance of the Dybbuk in the old Vilna Shul in Boston. The “stage” ran the length of the sanctuary between 2 rows of pews and included 3 levels of scaffolding & 3 sets. The actors were often only a couple feet away. Awesome.
www.arlekinplayers.com
www.arlekinplayers.com