Tuesday, September 28, 2004
By now, anyone interested in Ohio politics is probably aware of Secretary of State Ken Blackwell's latest effort to disenfranchise voters. (If not, go here or here for more.) But there are two developments worth noting.
First, the Ohio Democratic Party (ODP) is actively looking for anyone who actually has been disenfranchised:
“If any Ohio citizens has information indicating a voter registration application has been denied because of inadequate paper weight, please notify the Ohio Democratic Party immediately. We stand ready to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that voter registration applications correctly completed by eligible voters are accepted." (ODP's full statement is below.)
Second, America Coming Together (ACT) has launched a petition drive against Blackwell.
Here's the ODP press release:
And here's ACT's petition:
First, the Ohio Democratic Party (ODP) is actively looking for anyone who actually has been disenfranchised:
“If any Ohio citizens has information indicating a voter registration application has been denied because of inadequate paper weight, please notify the Ohio Democratic Party immediately. We stand ready to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that voter registration applications correctly completed by eligible voters are accepted." (ODP's full statement is below.)
Second, America Coming Together (ACT) has launched a petition drive against Blackwell.
Here's the ODP press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2004
Statement from Ohio Democratic Party Chair Dennis L. White
Regarding 80-Pound Voter Registration Card Directive
All or part of the following statement can be attributed to Dennis L. White, Ohio Democratic Party Chair.
“I am shocked and appalled by the latest directive from Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell that calls for the disregarding any voter registration form not filed on 80-pound weight paper. This is an antiquated rule and an unnecessary barrier to voter registration efforts going on in Ohio.
“If any Ohio citizens has information indicating a voter registration application has been denied because of inadequate paper weight, please notify the Ohio Democratic Party immediately. We stand ready to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that voter registration applications correctly completed by eligible voters are accepted.
“Please call Dan Trevas at (614) 229-4149 or email dan@ohiodems.org if your applications have been denied.
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And here's ACT's petition:
Desperation and 80 Pound Paper Stock in Ohio
With only a few days left before the registration deadline here in Ohio, Secretary of State Ken Blackwell is trying re-instate selective voting. His controls on the voting process will prohibit thousands of Ohioans from voting in the upcoming election.
He will not allow people to cast votes on provisional ballots if they go to the incorrect polling place, even if the voter is not at fault!
Citing an arcane ruling that requires voter registration cards be printed on 80 pound stock paper, Blackwell is threatening to void registrations submitted on a lighter weight paper, demanding they re-apply. There is no time to reapply and thousands of voters could be left off the rolls.
This is not only unethical, it’s illegal. The 14th Amendment grants every citizen the right to vote—regardless of race, gender, creed—or polling location or paper stock.
Republicans in Ohio are scared—with good reason—ACT’s Get-Out-the-Vote effort is working --in Ohio we’re out-registering Republicans by 10 to 1.
Sign the petition, and then sign up to volunteer with ACT in a swing state. Be part of the winning strategy.
