Re: voter suppression in Ohio. Is there no recourse in the courts or

[Skidmore]

adjustments that can be made within the community to accommodate voting? Do they do mail in voting?

[SickOfTheOnePct]

1. The hard sell here will be that if the law is consistent across the state

the claim will be that it isn't suppressive.

The correct step would have been to expand the voting times across the entire state, instead of restricting it across the entire state.

[elleng]

6. Listening to this on Rachel.

Not consistent across the state, unless each BOE does what SecyState THINKS he told them. Montgomery County BOE members thought their decision to allow some weekend and/or late night times were consistent, and may be fired for voting so. Stay tuned.

[elleng]

2. I suspect there is recourse, in Federal courts.

Hope to see some action, unless this 'remedies' the crap:

"Ohio has extremely generous rules regarding absentee voting," Priess said. "For the first time, every registered voter will receive an absentee ballot request by mail this year. Our board is open for early voting beginning on October 2nd. The secretary of state has issued a directive ordering uniform and extended hours throughout the state, and I applaud that."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/20/doug-priesse-ohio-gop-election_n_1814249.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

[SickOfTheOnePct]

4. That's what I'm thinking too

So long as it's consistent across the state, I would be surprised if the DOJ got involved. States that aren't covered by the Voting Rights Act can do pretty much anything, so long as it is applied consistently.

[Igel]

5. Doubtful.

The law's consistent. All counties have to have early voting on certain days, certain times. They pay for it locally.

If a jurisdiction wants to have additional early voting, the BOE can vote for it. If the BOE has a majority vote for it, then there's additional early voting. Some (R) counties--not most, to my knowledge--have done so.

If a BOE is tied, then the state elections guy gets a tie-breaking vote. He's broken it against additional early voting times. He's said that the urban districts are cash strapped; he's also said he doesn't want to accommodate the urban black get-out-the-vote "machine". ("Machine" being his word, IIRC.)

The ";" in that sentence would appear to be news reports saying that the reason the additional day(s) of early voting is so important is that Sunday church services are when pastors in black churches rally the faithful to get to the polls. Easier to get them to the polls straight from services, it would appear, than a couple of days later. Immediacy matters.

[elleng]

7. He's trying to fire Dayton-Montgo County guys

for voting 'extra' hours as last time.

[TomClash]

3. Yeah, I suppose we are going to find out

I predict legal challenges in three states, minimum.

It would be really good if I were wrong and none were needed after a Barack landslide.

[elleng]

8. We can't WAIT for a Barack landslide!

[TomClash]

9. Yeah we need your help

You certainly know enough about election law, don't you?

[elleng]

10. Not a huge amount,

know enough to know when rules are in violation of something, and fortunately DOJ, ACLU, Brennan Center (and others) CAN do it!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/restrictive-voting-laws-tied-up-in-court/2012/06/06/gJQAt1MaJV_story.html