Ohio Wins Election Law Decision in Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

On Tuesday, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals handed down a decision which favored Ohio's ability to amend its early voting dates.  Nearly ten years ago, the Ohio General Assembly expanded early voting to 35 days. Prior to that, Ohio voted on one day, Election Day.  Expanding early voting 35 days out created a problem. Here is a quote from the testimony that Ohio Christian Alliance presented before the Policy and Legislative Oversight Committee in support of S.B. 238 on December 10, 2013.  

This legislation fixes the glitch that was created when early voting was expanded to 35 days and voting registration was then permitted until 30 days before the election. Some political campaigns interpreted this as an opportunity to encourage people to register and vote at the same time in the newly-created early voting days. The problem was realized almost immediately by boards of election officials when they experienced voter registrations being presented at the same time early ballots were cast. The obvious problem was that no time was allowed to vet the registration of the voter. Confusion existed as to how to process these voter registration forms and the ballots that came in with them at the same time.
When many Ohioans learn that this actually has been in practice over the last handful of years, they cannot believe that it is actually occurring, and they are opposed to the practice. The practice historically has been that an individual registers to vote, the board of election verifies the identity and address of the registrant, and sends the registrant a confirmation card in the mail with information directing them to their precinct polling location. This was generally a 30-day process.     

S.B. 238 passed the General Assembly. It reduced early voting to 28 days.  Following its passage, it has now endured two separate lawsuits.  Here is what Secretary of State Jon Husted stated in response to the court's decision.

Ohio offers a generous number of days, hours, and ways to vote - making us one of the easiest states in which to cast a ballot.  This issue has been dragged through the courts by political activists twice over the course of several years, and both times, it has ended with the same result: Ohio's laws are fair and constitutional.  

The integrity of Ohio's election system is of the utmost importance to the people of Ohio. The Ohio Christian Alliance encourages voter registration and voter participation. When the citizens lose faith in the elections process, our Republic suffers. We will continue to bring you vital information pertaining to the election process as we move closer to the November 8th Presidential Election.