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RESTORE WEEKEND VOTING ACTION ALERT
Take action by Tuesday, November 6, 2012
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On Tuesday, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted fired two Democratic members of the Montgomery County Board of Elections. He didn't fire them because they weren't doing their jobs… he fired them because they wanted to keep expanded weekend voting hours in their county. Four years ago, one third of all votes in Montgomery County were cast on weekends. Weekend voting hours were introduced in Ohio in 2008 to correct problems that resulted in long lines, lack of manpower and equipment that caused the disenfranchisement of thousands of Ohioans in 2004. Disenfranchising voters is key to the GOP's plan to win Ohio in November. It's no secret. The chairman of the Franklin County Republican party made that clear recently in a public statement. I urge you to take the time right now and send Jon Husted a message. It takes courage to be a good Secretary of State. Taking orders from political bosses to sway elections is not acceptable. Send a letter today demanding that Husted do his job and extend counties the option of retaining weekend voting hours. Send your letter to: Jon Husted Ohio Secretary of State 180 E. Broad Street, 16th Floor Columbus, OH 43215 Best regards, Chairman Lane, Clermont County Democratic Party | |
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Sample Letter: Honorable Secretary of State Husted August [INSERT DATE], 2012 Dear Secretary Husted, Please accept this correspondence as record that the following members of the [FILL IN COUNTY] County Board of Elections object to your plan to limit opportunities to vote early on weekdays and weekends. Your decision will severely impact some Ohioans' ability to exercise their most fundamental freedom, the right to vote. In 2008, nearly half of the 535,000 early in-person votes were cast during weekends and non-work hours. Due to your edict, poll access may be threatened this year. In fact, directive 2012-35 limits the 35 days of early in-person voting access guaranteed to Ohioans through law, and appears to be vague and open to interpretation. These conflicts present immense difficulties for local boards of elections.
Sincerely,
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The Honorable Jon Husted Ohio Secretary of State 180 East Broad Street, 16th Floor Columbus, Ohio 43215
Dear Secretary Husted: |
David A. Lane Paul L. Campbell |
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This letter is in response to your Directive 2012-35, dated August 15th and relative to "In Person Absentee Voting Days and Hours". As you are well aware, the General Election of 2004 was clouded with suspicion due to factors that included long lines at urban poling places and voters who claimed they were disenfranchised by lack of equipment and manpower. The legitimacy of Ohio's election process was questioned nationally and even internationally. As members of the Clermont County Board of Elections, we were embarrassed for our State. Your leadership as Speaker however, resulted in one of the most decisive and impactful election reform movements in the Nation. In 2008, as a result of the legislation you shepherded, Ohio became a shinning star among states on Election Day. The long lines did not appear and complaints were minimal. We believe that giving individual county
BOEs the option to offer Early Voting on the
two weekends preceding Election Day was a key
part in the execution of a successful, fair,
honest and open Election 4 years ago. | |
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Sincerely, Signed David A. Lane |
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RESTORE WEEKEND VOTING ACTION ALERT The 2004 Presidential Election was characterized by long lines and frustrated voters. In stark contrast, the 2008 Presidential Election was marked by easy access to voting. One of several reasons for the change: Ohio allowed in-person voting during evenings and weekends prior to the Election. Weekend voting was particularly popular in Ohio’s largest counties, where it was a clearly preferred form of voting by African American and low-income citizens. This Presidential Election year, the Ohio Secretary of State and the Ohio legislature have completely eliminated weekend voting. Right now Ohio voters will only be able to vote Monday through Friday. Voting is priceless! Here are three ways in which you can take action to restore weekend voting. 1. CONTACT THE SECRETARY OF STATE: Urge the Secretary of State to change his directive and allow weekend voting. For the first time since early voting was permitted in Ohio, the Secretary of State has outlawed early voting on weekends. Let the Secretary know that voting should be easy and convenient for all. Call the Secretary of State today - (614) 466-2655 2. CONTACT YOUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS: Urge your County Commissioners to pass a resolution in support of weekend voting. Ask them to follow the lead of Commissioners in Mahoning County and pass a resolution allowing the county building that houses the board of elections to be open on weekends. Call your County Commissioners today. Don’t know your Commissioners' number? Look up your County Commissioners' names and their contact information here - http://bit.ly/TWRDkH 3. CONTACT YOUR BOARD OF ELECTIONS: Urge your Board of Elections to pass a resolution in support of weekend voting and call on the Ohio Secretary of State to change voting hours to include weekend hours. Call or email your Board of Elections today. Don’t know the Board of Elections' number or email? Look up your Board of Elections here - http://bit.ly/Oyp2A7
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, Project Vote | |