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We've been keeping a close eye on Republican efforts to suppress early voting in Ohio, and Democratic efforts to create a level playing field. Today, a federal court delivered a major victory to those who support expansive voting rights and opportunities.
U.S. District Court Senior Judge Peter C. Economus ordered Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted not to enforce a state law passed last year that closed that window to in-person early voting to anyone but members of the military and their families.
"This Court notes that restoring in-person early voting to all Ohio voters through the Monday before Election Day does not deprive (military) voters from early voting,'' wrote Judge Economus, a Clinton appointee. "Instead, and more importantly, it places all Ohio voters on equal standing.
"The only hindrance to (military) early voting is the Secretary of State's failure to set uniform hours at elections boards during the last three days before Election Day,'' he wrote. "On balance, the right of Ohio voters to vote in person during the last three days prior to Election Day -- a right previously conferred to all voters by the State -- outweighs the State's interest in setting the 6 p.m. Friday deadline.''
[Update: the ruling is available online here.]
To briefly recap for those who haven't been following this story, Ohio allowed voters an early-voting window of three days before Election Day, which in turn boosted turnout and alleviated long lines. This year, Republican officials wanted to close the window -- active-duty servicemen and women could vote early, but no one else, not even veterans, could enjoy the same right.
One prominent Republican official recently conceded he opposes weekend voting because it would "accommodate the urban -- read African American -- voter-turnout machine."
President Obama's campaign team filed suit, asking for a level playing field, giving every eligible Ohio voter -- active-duty troops, veterans, and civilians -- equal access. Today, a federal court agreed. If the ruling stands, every eligible Ohio voter will be able to cast a ballot during the three-day, early-voting window leading up to Election Day on Nov. 6.
In an amusing twist, the ruling even cites Bush v. Gore. Economus wrote the "Court stresses that where the state has authorized in-person early voting through the Monday before Election Day for all voters, 'the state may not, by later arbitrary and disparate treatment, value one person's vote over that of another.' "Here, that is precisely what the state has done."
Ohio will surely appeal, but for now, this is a major development that may even influence the outcome of the presidential race -- the more Ohio voters have access to their own elections process, the harder it is for Republicans to win.
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Sick-n-effin-tired: Sorry, if I misread your comment. Sarcasm is difficult to put in text as there is no tone. Perhaps a bracketed 'sarcasm' comment at the end would help? Such as: [sarcasm]
now its time to right thw wrongs in penn.
#1. The fact that there is a political party out there willing do anything to win, lie, cheat, and what ever the hell their doing proves that they are not worth having in office. and are not responsible enough to handle anything. #2. I thought that sick n effin tireds comment was for real as well, and then I read through the comments. What annoys me the most is reading Oh, well, we've posted here before, you must be new, you should know.. screw that. quit treating this like a playground at your favorite swing, Don't expect that the only people that will check out the post's are the same people that always post... I haven't had my coffe yet, so there! ;)
Right wing radio host Mark Levin admits on his Facebook page that the expansion of early voting in Ohio and the rejection of the Texas voter ID law are "electoral setbacks" for the GOP. I don't think they're supposed to say that out loud.
Screen grab on jecarter4.tumblr.com
Decision bbrilliantly anticipates higher court's review by inserting text from SCOTUS decision in Gore V Bush. It is sort of an immunization shot as the court is not likely to undo its recent reasoning.
I don't even understand early voting. What for? What the heck is wrong with showing up on the 1st Tuesday, everybody, like I've been doing since 1968? 1 day of disrupting the schools, fire departments, etc. with polling activity, and finding workers to sit there all day and tend machines / count ballots should be expensive enough for anyone, let alone 3 days.
Well, gosh. You gotta wonder why they didn't just ask you in the first place? OBVIOUSLY, every single one of the other millions of people in the state will have had the exact same experience you had so yeah ...
I bet they feel pretty silly now for having not consulted you right from the start.
The early voting is not at all the polling stations, but in central locations in the districts. In Ohio there are very long lines in many places and I have personally stood in line until 11:00pm to cast my vote. At the time, I was a single mother of 2 primary school kids and worked full time. I had to hire a sitter to watch the kids so I could vote, and was very late (got to the polling station before 6:00pm). I didn't even eat dinner because I wanted to make sure I got into line on time. It was freezing rain, and everyone in line was standing outside for hours. This was the 2000 election.
@Rally Re:#34
If you happen to be one of those people working two $9/hour jobs, you might have a hard time - especially if the lines are long.
The Republicans allowed early voting in Ohio for the primary since there was no competition. After all their man couldn't lose. The general election is terrifying for them, so they wanted to change the rules. If you get to the polls and true the vote convinces you the law is still real, then you should be ashamed. Republicans already think the people can't read so prove them wrong. GO VOTE.
I moved to WA a couple of years back (frm CA) and was surprised that you can vote from the comfort of you own kitchen table. The voting was/is done by mail, so I do not have to deal with some wanker looking over my shoulder to insure that I vote “The Right Way”.
If anyone, from the states with these kill the constitution tactics, is inclined to some skullduggery I submit this idea: join the True the Vote Stormtroopers and come election day let those who are challenged know they DO HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
The scariest part I found at their site is that the True the Vote Stormtroopers are looking for people to work at the polls this will give them the impression of voter authority when you go to get your ballot and they say, you can’t vote.
@ sick-n-effin-tired: Cite us three cases of "voter fraud" that justify these Republican-inspired voter ID and limited early voting laws. Without that evidence your "opinion" is just Party Line dialectic. These junk laws were all written by one tiny group of lawyers headed up by Karl Rove and handed out to Republican legislatures across the country for rubber stamp approval and enactment. They have one goal - to keep poor, elderly and other disadvantaged people from voting, because they might vote Democrat.
Here come da judge!
Here come da judge!
Order in da courtroom,
Here come da judge!
Hey Republicans remember this chant from your convention? I think it fits in perfectly with this ruling:
USA!!! USA!!! USA!!!
Kudos to 66 Mustang and others who were able to see the true facts here. I don't believe a long nap will correct sick 'n f'n tired's ability to comprehend what he reads. Obviously he got the whole thing completely backwards. Many thanks to the judge for overriding this blatant effort by the Republican party to take the ability to vote away from ANY American voter, regardless of race, creed or color. It wasn't even given a little cover up to fool the people, probably because the GOP believes the rest of us to be illiterate idiots who couldn't possibly catch on to what they're up to. It feels good to know that there are still some in power who follow the Constitution, no matter what.
There really is no way to fix stupid is there? Or the willfully ignorant?
My god Elaine, even Mustang66 has realized that sick was being SARCASTIC. Get an effing grip would you? It's right there on the shelf between the "don't be a dumbf*ck" pills and the "my god, who let you out of the house dressed like that?" cream.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdVMGKOFIwY
This is why we need voter ID.. See The democrats wants people to voter early and as many times as possible. If they have to show id it will be on the records via the id who has already voted and not allowing them to vote again!!!!
I am hoping you are kidding. Because if you're not then you have no clue about the voting process. Voter have to sign the voting rolls before voting. That's how you know who has voted and whohas not. All done without an ID for years and years. Sheesh!
There is a common sense argument to limit the vote in the post "Too Many People Vote" at the "Grumbles From an Old Grouch" blog. (grumblesfromanoldgrouch.com). It would have the added benefit of giving us better laws and (hopefully) better politicians.
The Republicans probably wouldn't like it, because it doesn't discriminate on the basis of minority, poverty or political party. Plus, the effect of all that campaign cash would be lessened a great deal.
ps: Don't let the title fool you.
I just hope everyone is actively participating in the campaign/election this year. There is voter registration drives and phone banking that needs volunteers to to help out. And don't forget the polls will need workers. So after writing all your comments here, go to work. I am working at one of the phone banks in my neighborhood. A couple hours per week, and have contributed financially to the campaigns. What have you done, or plan to do up to Nov. 6th?
The sudden fear of all those supposed fraudulent voters has turned a suburban Jewish mother into an old blues singer! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvRsE1jSH7g