August 31, 2012
Today, a federal district court in Ohio in Obama for America v. Husted ordered the state not to enforce a new law barring early voting on the weekend before Election Day, thus restoring in-person voting on the three days immediately preceding Election Day for all eligible Ohio voters.
Project Vote’s Executive Director Michael Slater issued this statement about the ruling:
“Today’s court ruling in Ohio is another important victory for voters. The restrictive law that was enjoined today is part of a coordinated and undemocratic effort by some politicians to erect barriers to the ballot box. This order clears the way for Ohio to return to the proud American tradition of fair elections accessible to all citizens.
In 2008, 93,000 Ohioans voted during the last three days of early voting. Many hard-working Ohioans use early voting time and weekend hours because they don’t have time off on Election Day. No one wants to see a return to the long lines that plagued Ohio in the 2004 election.
The court has done what Secretary of State Husted was unwilling to do, which is to give Ohioans the option of voting during the final weekend before Election Day. With the restoration of those days, we urge Mr. Husted to refrain from appealing the decision. We implore him to turn to the crucially important work of preparing Ohio polling places, and making sure Ohio voters know exactly when and where they may cast their ballots.”