WASHINGTON D.C.-- Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) denounced the passage of S.B 295 by the Ohio Senate because the bill reaffirms a ban on early voting during the three days prior to an election and removes the opportunity for Ohioans to voice their opinion on changes to voting laws on the ballot this November.  

Congresswoman Fudge made this statement in reference to the passage of the repeal of H.B. 194:

"The rush by the Republican led Ohio Senate to repeal H.B. 194 will most certainly lead to voter confusion.  Ultimately, I welcome a roll back of any measure that suppresses voting disproportionately for specific groups of voters.  However, the deliberate inclusion of a ban on in-person early voting three days prior to an election speaks volumes about the intent of the Ohio Senate.  It is my fear that they will repeal and replace the law with similarly restrictive provisions on voting, without an opportunity for Ohioans to again voice their opinion through a referendum.   

"This is a politically motivated change that has little to do with sound election reform and amounts to a piecemeal approach to revive a problematic provision of H.B. 194.  Instead of encouraging voter participation during the weekend before an election, our state legislators are closing the door to that option.  The Akron Beacon Journal was on the mark in Tuesday's editorial, calling this legislation a sneak attack.

"There is a concerted effort across this country to restrict the voting rights of African Americans and Latinos, as well as the disabled, students and seniors.  We will continue to be a voice for those disenfranchised by new laws that aim to restrict certain populations of voters from participating in order to determine the outcome of the 2012 election."

Congresswoman Fudge has been a strong advocate for equal voting rights for all Americans.  She has been a prominent voice in the U.S. Congress, hosting press conferences and sessions on the House floor as well as testifying at hearings against the injustice caused by restrictive voting laws.  Ohio is only one of many states that have passed these kinds of laws. Of the 12 likely battleground states, five have already passed bills that cut back on voting rights.

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