COLUMBUS - Ohio's top elections official wants to repeal a law that requires crossover voters to sign a statement attesting they "support the principles" of the new political party in whose primary they are voting.

"The more I think about it, it's something right out o the old Soviet Union, "Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell said yesterday.  Although the law has been on the books for years, enforcement of it varies.  Come counties merely ask primary voters their party affiliation, then give them the ballot from the party they choose.  Others, however, ask crossovers to sign an official statement declaring --under penalty of election falsification--that they support the fundamental tenants of their new political party.  A violation of the law is a fifth degree felony. 

The chairman of Ohio's two major political parties differ on the need for change.  Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett agrees with his fellow Republican that the law should be changed.  "There's no way to enforce something like that anyway," Bennett said.  Democratic Party Chairman David Leland, however, said the existing law should be enforced not repealed. 

"The two parties are different, and I don't believe in this kind of drive-by philosophy, "Leland said.  Crossover voters emerged as a major issue this primary season.  Exit polls showed that Democrats and independents who voted in GOP primaries boosted John McCain's insurgent campaign, helping him win in states such as New Hampshire and Michigan.

GOP party leaders, most of whom endorsed McCain's main rival, Texas Go. George W. Bush, condemned the crossovers, often insisting they had "hi-jacked" the Republican Party.

Blackwell said he had seen no similar trends in Ohio, which handed Bush an easy victory.  He said legislation was probably needed to streamline Ohio's law, and his office was researching the matter to see how to proceed.