COLUMBUS — Blame Marc Dann.

For the sexual harassment scandal in his office? Well, that too. But Dann's resignation and fall from grace is also the reason Ohioans are voting for an attorney general to fill out the remaining two years on Dann's original four-year term.

The choice is between Republican Mike Crites, a former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Democrat Rich Cordray, who is now state treasurer. Cordray, who reported having $1.9 million on hand when the race started, has a big fundraising lead, but Crites says he'll be competitive.

"I would not be here today ... if I thought I was the sacrificial lamb of the Republican Party," he said last month.

In addition to the attorney general's race, statewide voters will choose among candidates for the state Senate and House, as well as five ballot issues.

With a 21-12 lead in the Senate and only 16 seats up for election, Republicans will keep a healthy majority there. But the House could be in play. Republicans hold a 53-46 majority and about a dozen seats are up for grabs

The state ballot issues are more complicated, and at least two are likely to be contentious: a possible repeal of payday lending reforms and a constitutional amendment to put a casino in Clinton County.

"You got to do your homework, absolutely, because there are some complicated issues that could be as close as the presidential election, if not closer," said Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Kettering. "And the outcomes really matter."

Husted is most concerned about voters being confused or misled about the payday lending issue because confused voters usually vote "no."

In this case, a "no" vote is what the payday lending industry wants. It would allow them to continue charging 391 percent annual percentage rate on short-term loans instead of adhering to the new 28 percent APR cap approved by the legislature.