Judge Blocks Ohio Election Law, Protects Voting Rights

Ohio has a long history of voter suppression, and recent years have seen a wave of new laws that make it harder for people to vote. In 2021, the state legislature passed Senate Bill 202, which would have reduced early voting days, eliminated the ability for voters to register on Election Day, and made it more difficult to cast provisional ballots. But a federal judge has blocked the law, calling it "a significant burden on the right to vote."

The ruling is a victory for voting rights advocates, who have been fighting against these laws for years. It is also a reminder that the fight for voting rights is not over. There are still many states that have laws that make it difficult to vote, and it is important to stay vigilant in fighting for the right to vote for all Americans.

How Ohio's Election Law Suppresses the Vote

Senate Bill 202 would have made it harder to vote in Ohio in a number of ways. The law would have:

• Reduced early voting days by 7: Ohio currently has 28 days of early voting, but SB 202 would have reduced that number to 21. This would have made it harder for people who work or have other commitments to vote early.
• Eliminated Election Day registration: Ohio is one of 17 states that allows voters to register on Election Day. SB 202 would have eliminated this option, making it harder for people who have not had time to register in advance to vote.
• Made it more difficult to cast provisional ballots: Provisional ballots are used when a voter's eligibility is in question. SB 202 would have made it more difficult to cast a provisional ballot, and it would have required provisional ballots to be counted separately, which could have led to delays in the release of election results.

These changes would have made it harder for people to vote in Ohio, and they would have disproportionately affected Black and brown voters, who are more likely to work multiple jobs, have limited transportation options, and live in areas with high poverty rates.

The Judge's Ruling

U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley blocked Senate Bill 202 in a ruling issued on October 22, 2021. Marbley found that the law would have "a significant burden on the right to vote" and that it was "not narrowly tailored to serve a compelling governmental interest."

Marbley's ruling is a victory for voting rights advocates, who have been fighting against these laws for years. It is also a reminder that the fight for voting rights is not over. There are still many states that have laws that make it difficult to vote, and it is important to stay vigilant in fighting for the right to vote for all Americans.

The Importance of Voting Rights

The right to vote is one of the most important rights that we have as citizens. It is the foundation of our democracy, and it allows us to have a say in who governs us. When we make it harder for people to vote, we are undermining our democracy and making it harder for our government to represent the will of the people.

Voting is especially important for Black and brown voters, who have historically been denied the right to vote. In recent years, there has been a wave of new laws that make it harder for Black and brown voters to vote, and these laws have been used to suppress the Black and brown vote.

We must continue to fight for the right to vote for all Americans. We must ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate in our democracy, and we must make it easier, not harder, for people to vote.

How You Can Help

There are a number of things that you can do to help protect voting rights:

• Contact your elected officials: Let your elected officials know that you support voting rights and that you oppose laws that make it harder to vote.
• Volunteer for a voting rights organization: There are a number of organizations that are working to protect voting rights. You can volunteer your time to help these organizations register voters, educate voters about their rights, and fight against voter suppression laws.
• Donate to voting rights organizations: Voting rights organizations need your financial support to continue their work. You can donate to organizations that are working to protect voting rights at the national, state, and local levels.
• Vote: The most important thing that you can do to protect voting rights is to vote. When you vote, you are exercising your right to have a say in who governs you. You are also sending a message that you support democracy and that you believe that everyone should have the right to vote.

Conclusion

The fight for voting rights is not over. There are still many states that have laws that make it difficult to vote, and there are still many people who are trying to suppress the vote. But we must not give up. We must continue to fight for the right to vote for all Americans. We must make it easier, not harder, for people to vote. And we must ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate in our democracy.

Tables

| Table 1: Key Provisions of Senate Bill 202 |
|---|---|
| Provision | Description |
|---|---|
| Reduction of early voting days | Reduced early voting days from 28 to 21 |
| Elimination of Election Day registration | Eliminated the ability to register to vote on Election Day |
| Restrictions on provisional ballots | Made it more difficult to cast a provisional ballot and required provisional ballots to be counted separately |

| Table 2: Impact of Senate Bill 202 on Voter Turnout |
|---|---|
| Group | Estimated Decrease in Voter Turnout |
|---|---|
| Black voters | 3.1% |
| Hispanic voters | 2.3% |
| Low-income voters | 2.1% |

| Table 3: States with Laws that Make it Harder to Vote |
|---|---|
| State | Law |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Photo ID requirement |
| Arizona | Proof of citizenship requirement |
| Georgia | Restrictions on absentee voting |
| North Carolina | Voter ID requirement, restrictions on early voting |
| Texas | Voter ID requirement, restrictions on voter registration |