August 24, 2012
Columbus, Ohio – Voting rights advocates including Common Cause, Northeast Ohio Voter Advocates, and Project Vote (full list below) praise the Medina County Board of Elections decision calling for the Ohio Secretary of State to modify his directive banning early voting on weekends. These groups also called on other boards of elections to follow the lead of the Medina County Board of Elections who put party politics aside and unanimously called for what they believe is best for their county.
“Voting is not a partisan issue nor should it ever be,” said Camille Wimbish, Election Counsel for Project Vote. “Our collective goal as a democratic society should be to expand voting opportunities, not restrict them. We urge boards of elections to follow the lead of the Medina County Board of Elections and for the Ohio Secretary of State to take action so that Ohioans have access to weekend voting.”
On August 15, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted issued a directive stipulating uniform hours for voting for the State of Ohio. These hours did not include weekend hours.
“The 2004 Presidential Election was characterized by long lines, the 2008 Presidential Election by easy access to voting,” said Catherine Turcer of Common Cause. “Early voting or in-person absentee voting on the weekends played a role in this change. For many casting a ballot in person is particularly meaningful and due to work and family commitments it is most convenient to do this on weekends. Voting by mail is no substitute for voting at the polls whether that is early in person or on Election Day.”
We advise all concerned citizens contact the Secretary of State and urge him to change his directive regarding weekend voting. Also contact your local board of election and commissioners asking them to follow the lead of Medina and Mahoning County by passing a resolution in support of restoring weekend voting.
Release Endorsed by: Citizens Alliance for Secure Elections (CASE_OH), Common Cause, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, The League of Women Voters of Ohio, Miami Valley Voter Protection Coalition, Northeast Ohio Voter Advocates, and Project Vote.