WASHINGTON – Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11), Chair of the Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Elections, released the following statement after Governor Mike DeWine’s administration postponed Ohio’s primary election scheduled to take place today:

“We all are concerned with the spread of the coronavirus, as are the governors in the states holding elections today as their laws dictate.  Gov. DeWine’s decision to close the polls creates, rather than prevents, barriers to the ballot box.  Clearly, he no longer respects the rule of law.

“We’ve been aware of COVID-19  for some time, and people have safely voted for the past month, with much of that voting occurring during in-person, early voting.  Knowing the potential risks, Ohioans were still casting their early ballots, even as recently as yesterday.  There were better options than closing the polls.  Ohio, under John Husted, became the epicenter of voter suppression and voter disenfranchisement.  Now, DeWine is the new face in the effort to stop people from voting.  Voting is the very foundation of our democracy.  The fairness of this election will always be in question.”

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