Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed into law two election-related bills.
One bill trims early voting by several days. The other sets restrictions for mailing unsolicited absentee ballot applications.
SB 238 shortens the early, in-person voting period by eliminating the week-long window where voters may simultaneously register to vote and cast an early in-person ballot, otherwise known as the “Golden Week”.
Under SB 205:
- Permits the Secretary of State to mail unsolicited applications for absent voter's ballots only for a general election and only if the General Assembly has made an appropriation for that particular mailing.
- Prohibits any other public official or employee who is acting in an official capacity, and any public office, from mailing any unsolicited applications for absent voter's ballots.
- Permits the Secretary of State to send unsolicited applications for absent voter's ballots for elections in 2014, regardless of whether the General Assembly has made an appropriation for that purpose.
- Prohibits a board of elections from prepaying the return postage for any application for absent voter's ballots and for any absent voter's ballots that it delivers to an elector.
- Generally prohibits an election official from filling out any portion of an absent voter's ballot application, or from filling out any portion of an absent voter's ballot or absent voter's ballot identification envelope, on behalf of a voter.
- Allows the Secretary of State or a board of elections to preprint an applicant's name and address on an application for absent voter's ballots before mailing that application to the applicant.
Democrats believe the measure violates the constitutional guarantee of equal protection and the Voting Rights Act and will sue in Federal Court.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote!
Michael H. Drucker
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