COLUMBUS- Ohio Democrats are disappointed with a federal appeals court ruling that upholds a state law trimming early voting.
In a 2-1 decision, a panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati ruled Tuesday the cut still allows for “abundant” opportunities to vote, overturning a previous ruling by U.S. District Court.
SEE: Important dates for voters to remember
Secretary of State Jon Husted, a Republican, says the decision reaffirms that Ohio’s voting laws offer adequate opportunities to cast ballots.
“This issue has been dragged through the courts by political activists twice over the course of several years, and both times, it has ended with the same result: Ohio’s laws are fair and constitutional,” he said in a statement issued by his office.
“Ohio offers a generous number of days, hours and ways to vote – making us one of the easiest states in which to cast a ballot. This issue has been dragged through the courts by political activists twice over the course of several years, and both times, it has ended with the same result: Ohio’s laws are fair and constitutional.” -Secy. of State Jon Husted
The Ohio Democratic Party is among the plaintiffs who challenged a series of Republican-backed voting changes, alleging they disproportionately burdened black voters and those who lean Democratic. Such policies include the elimination of early voting days in which Ohioans could also register to vote. This period was known as “golden week.”
“The undisputed factual record shows that it’s easy to vote in Ohio. Very easy, actually. When compared to the thirteen states (including two other states in our circuit, Kentucky and Michigan) that do not permit any early in-person voting days, an Ohioan’s path to voting is open and easy, not burdensome. And [the law’s] withdrawal of the convenience of same-day registration is hardly obstructive; it merely brings Ohio into line with thirty-eight other states that require registration before an individual may vote.” -6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio contends it’s a ruling that disproportionately impacts poorer Ohioans, including those who are homeless or work more than one job.
“They often use ‘golden week,’ because making two trips to a Board of Elections was oftentimes too difficult and it’d be hard for them to balance with their work or personal life responsibilities, ” said ACLU spokesman Mike Brickner.
Ohio Democratic Party chairman David Pepper says plaintiffs are weighing their next steps.
Their options include asking the appeals court to reconsider or appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Tuesday’s decision pushes back the start of early voting in Ohio from Oct. 5th to Oct. 12th. The deadline to register to vote for the Nov. 8 general election is Oct. 11.