Warrensville Heights, OH- Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) released the following statement concerning two bills  passed by the Ohio Legislature this week;  Senate Bill 238 curtails early voting  hours and eliminates  Golden Week, a time when voters can both register to vote and cast an in-person absentee ballot (also known as early voting); and Senate Bill 205 prohibits county boards of elections from providing postage paid ballots to all voters in their jurisdiction:

“The right to vote is the bedrock of our democracy, yet instead of increasing voter participation, Ohio lawmakers have chosen to make it harder for many Ohioans to exercise that right,” said Congresswoman Fudge.  “This is extremely disappointing.  The elimination of six early voting days that allowed Ohioans to register and simultaneously cast a ballot disproportionately impacts seniors, communities of color, students, the elderly and low-income voters. Moreover, eliminating the authority of local boards of election to offer postage paid mail-in ballots and proactively meet the needs of  their voters does not meet the test of fairness.  In Cuyahoga County, postage paid ballots have proven to be a cost-effective option that have helped to decrease long lines at the polls.”

“Every elected official should advocate for increased participation in the electoral process.  Instead, history is repeating itself in Ohio with more voting restrictions that make it difficult for every eligible person to cast his or her ballot.  I hope Attorney General Holder will hasten his review now that Governor Kasich is expected to sign these disappointing measures into law soon.”

Background: According to reports released by Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, 1.3 million people cast mail-in absentee ballots and nearly 600,000 voted early in person in 2012.  Compared to the 2012 election, Ohio voters will see a reduction in early voting hours for the May 6, 2014 primary election due to a recent directive issued by Sec. Husted.  This directive eliminates evening hours and provides only one weekend opportunity to vote. Changes in the number of early voting days stipulated in SB 238 would take effect on June 1, 2014.

Congresswoman Fudge sent letters to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in November 2013 and January 2014 urging the U.S. Department of Justice to review Ohio laws and regulations restricting voting rights.

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