Associated Press
Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted (R)
Last week, a federal judge ordered Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted (R) to leave the state's early-voting window open for all of the state's eligible voters, overturning a Republican law approved last year. Husted's next step should have been, obviously, establishing expanded hours for early voting and setting a statewide schedule.
But Husted had other ideas. On Tuesday, the Republican official, who helps oversee Ohio's elections process, said he intended to ignore the court ruling until after an appeal.
I'm not an attorney, but it's my understanding that federal courts get a little peeved when someone tries to ignore their decisions.
A federal judge ordered Secretary of State Jon Husted on Wednesday to personally appear next week at a hearing about his reluctance to restore early voting the weekend before the Nov. 6 election.
Judge Peter Economus, whose ruling Husted has resisted, scheduled the hearing on Sept. 13 in the U.S. District Court in Columbus.
Economus set the hearing after President Barack Obama's re-election team filed a motion Wednesday requesting the court to enforce its order to restore in-person early voting during the final three days before the presidential election.
Rick Hasen posted a copy of yesterday's order.
From Husted's perspective, his appeal is likely to work -- the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals has a reputation for a conservative-friendly circuit -- so he doesn't see any point to making it easier for his own constituents to cast ballots during the upcoming election. On the contrary, as a Republican official, Husted is eager to make it more difficult for Ohio voters to participate, not less.
Unfortunately for the Ohio Secretary of State, however, judges don't much care about defendants' expectations. Economus issued a ruling and he wants Husted to follow it. Decisions from federal courts are not suggestions and they're not optional.
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Husted cannot lawfully refuse to obey an order of the Court just because he has filed an Appeal. He has to seek and obtain a stay of execution pending appeal. Why wouldn't he fail to file if he thought he had any chance he would prevail? Right. He cannot prevail. So. I suspect that the name of this game is simply Delaying Compliance as long as he possibly can - since if voting times (and voting places) are Uncertain till late in the voting season then the big get-out-the vote programs operated by the churches will be hampered. They not be Certain of their ability to bring their congregation in to vote by the busload after service on Sunday. if so... then perhaps they won't charter the bus? Husted's Trying to Obstruct the vote. so... Perhaps if he does not announce the times and places for weekend voting, perhaps local boards of election will have trouble staffing the offices and short staffs will create long lines - long lines reduce votes. If the time (and place) is uncertain until late, then perhaps those Weekend Times won't be listed in the Voting Information handouts being printed and mailed by the League of Women Voters and the Democratic Party and the labor Unions and others over the next few weeks - in which case people who cannot vote during the week due to their work schedules etc may not ever Know they have a weekend option - this would Reduce the Vote. There are many similar reasons Husted wants to delay compliance as long as he possibly can. I bet he files a motion for stay of execution pending appeal shortly before appearing before the Trial Court on the Show Cause motion on September 13 - in the hope that win or lose filing that motion may give him a few additional weeks of delay. Delay Works ih the GOP's Favor. They are Obstructing The Democratic Vote. So anything that delays compliance with this Court Order works in their favor this week.
A motion can be denied by the judge. I would hope that this judge would find him in contempt for intentionally delaying the implementation of his order. You don't pull on Superman's cape. . .but being a Republican he probably never heard Jim Croce's advice.
Think about what would happen to you You would be in jail. YOU GO OBANA!!! I love you and your family . MY GOD BLESS YOU GOD BLESS AMERICA
Jon Husted is part of the TEA confrontational-ist who will not comply with judicial pronouncements, because they are above the law. It is just like the goings-on here in Texas.
A panel of federal judges unanimously struck down a voter-ID law passed by the legislature in March 2011, arguing that it would disproportionately harm African-American and Latino voters. Both decisions hinged on Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, which requires certain states with a history of racial discrimination in voting — including Texas — to prove that any changes in their voting laws or procedures do not hamper the voting rights of minorities.
Texas lawmakers drew some districts that looked like Latino majority districts on paper — but removed Latinos who voted regularly and replaced them with Latinos who were unlikely to vote.
Texas lawmakers widened the gap between the proportion of the population that is Latino and African Americans and the proportion of districts that are minority-controlled.
The Texas Legislature removed economic centers and district offices from African-American and Latino districts, while giving white Republicans perks.
The Texas Legislature passed a voter-ID law with requirements that would make it disproportionately difficult for African Americans and Latinos to vote.
The Texas Legislature acted to d
ivide and conquer: Texas "cracked" minority voters out of one district into three to offset and counter the minority vote from being proportional to the Texas population.
There will be a significant difference to choose from this November on the national level. When this emerging Socio-Politio-Economic power get informed of the Texas Legislature's actions over the past years, there could be significant changes in Texas politics.
I hope that judge takes Husted over his knee & spanks him. Preferably with his pants down & nationally televised.
In fact, the Secretary of State could be held in contempt of court for not following a judge's ruling.
The fact that the 6th Court of Appeal is conservative-friendly won't bode well because those judges may find the Secretary of State actions as a slap to the face of all judges including them.
jillglove: Who appointed him? Who funds his reelection campaign if he has to run? Not sure if this is a lifetime appointment, so just throwing stuff at the wall, like so many others (false equivalency?). The system is broken, so any satisfying outcome is doubtful. The response time for this whole judicial process is a major part of the problem. Justice in this country is non-existent. People are sick and dying while the whole healthcare system is being litigated and obstructed. By the time a decision works its way through the judicial process, those most in need of its outcome to be resolved may have already suffered the most dire consequences. Does anyone really care? Ask Ann Romney.
Put his butt in jail. Right now. The nerve. Who does he think he is. He violated a court order. Get those hours changed and fast. Why is this idiot not allowing people to vote? Make it easier to vote dummies not harder.
Whoa whoa whoa. You only go to jail for refusing a court order if you're poor and/or have brown skin. Apparently you don't understand the American court system very well!
Sorry, Patrick, being poor is all you need to be put away. The courts are very consistent about that - color makes no difference in being jailed. Just not being able to afford to pay a real attorney is enough - like my son that got a Public Pretender who had the hots for the Assistant District Attorny. Even the judge was disgusted with her "defense".
There is more that binds us together than separates us.
gee can we say contempt of court ruling?
be nice if he had to spend a little time in jail while thinking about his dumb move.
John Husted, I see a contempt citation in your future. I hope you like jail.
Why does everyone feel the need to correct a typo? What, they never mad a mistake?
I thought I was wrong once...but I was mistaken. ;-)
I live in NE Ohio and what a coincidence, I received a letter from our SOS Jon Husted today 9/6 with an application for for an absentee ballot. It also gives dates for registration and other info such as the website MyOhioVote.com. This letter is dated Aug. 31 so I don't know if this is how everything will stay or not. The letter also emphasizes in several places to be to have your valid identifaction and make sure it's updated.
Not all Republicans are racists, but all racists are Republican. Race is behind all of this and finally a federal judge had the courage to stop it.
these people need to be held to the same standards as the rest of US the GOP are not Lords and Ladies over the rest of us. Mitt needs to stop running for King we do not want or need one
And I sure don't want a Queen Ann either. I'm one of those "you people" who feels I still haven't seen enough tax returns to believe a word either one of "those people" say.
I'd love to see Romney's reaction to a prospective employee that told him he didn't need to see his resume. Well, he is running for an employee of mine, and I want to see his tax returns.
Okay!, lets see what happens now, lets see the republican Sec explain to that Federal Judge why he is refusing to open the polls
I hope the judge throws this jerk in jail for contempt and voter fraud. This is voter fraud and trying to fix a election. Talk about un American, The tea party are such hypocrites. The tea party should all be deported to the middle east where their current antics happen often.
This is what happens when people buy into the meme "Easier to ask forgiveness than ask permission."
Husted's actions are defiant of the Law and he should be punished. Does he think that he is above the law? This is an 'evil' and willful act of abuse of his position and authority. "Go directly to Jail through Railroad (the people) Avenue.". Obama 2012!
People like Husted obviously think they are the law.
How about a jail term for this bigoted Secretary of State. That is the direction this man is headed. Federal judges do not fool around.
I imagine that the judge wants him to appear in person so that if there is a contempt charge he can be held immediately. That is what judge's usually do, they want to take you into custody in the court room. If the Sec. of State of Ohio refuses to appear he will be charged under federal law and an arrest warrant would be issued for his arrest. Then we will see the FBI or Federal Marshall's showing up and taking him away in handcuffs. The only way out for him is to follow the order and hope that he wins in the appeals process prior to the election. However, my experience tells me that the appeals court may not wish to hear this until after the election. And, yes, judges - no matter what their politics - do not like other judges being disrespected.
Gee, arrogant @!$%#s have a special place in Ohio jails. We all wish you luck in your new career and boy friend!!!!!!
So the republicans admit that Judges rule according to political bias andf not according to law? Well ain't that what Roiberts was put in place to prove?
When a normal person does not follow the ruling of a judge, what happens to him or her? Why is Husted above the law?
re: A higher court should step in and make Ohio pay either a stiff fine for each day the voting booths or closed or remove Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted for the exact same reasons in which he fired Thomas J. Ritchie, Sr and Dennis Lieberman from their positions.
" It is not right that matters, but victory" - Adolf Hitler, 1936
For every second this filth is in office, his every official action MUST be ignored. Heck, if you are in contempt of the law, you do not deserve its protections. Hopefully someone executes this scum bag.
But I am curious about the two election officials that he fired..shouldn't they be given their positions back? I am surprised they didn't sue him!