Senate Democrats React to U.S. Supreme Court Order on Early Voting

Columbus—Today, Senate Minority Leader Eric H. Kearney and members of the Senate Democratic Caucus released the following statements after the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed that all Ohioans should have equal access to the polls for early voting.  The Caucus had filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to deny an appeal by Secretary of State Jon Husted that would have stopped most Ohioans from being able to vote on the last three days before the election.

Sen. Eric H. Kearney

Senate Minority Leader (D-Cincinnati)

“I am tremendously pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court has protected the right to vote for all Ohioans.  It’s unconscionable that Republicans leaders in this state went to such lengths to deny equal access to the polls.  The votes of Ohioans should decide the outcome of this election, not the machinations of those who would suppress the vote.  Now that Ohioans once again have the opportunity to vote on the last three days before the election, I encourage them to do so.”

Sen. Joe Schiavoni

Assistant Minority Leader (D-Boardman)

“With such an incredibly important election this November, the Supreme Court’s ruling will help alleviate confusion and give every person who wants to vote early the ability to do so.”

Sen. Nina Turner

Minority Whip (D-Cleveland)

“Today we saw the Supreme Court do the right thing and side with Ohio’s voters. While I am pleased with the outcome, it should not have taken Secretary Husted two appeals to learn what Ohio voters have known since 2006. There is no place for gamesmanship when it comes to the ballot box. It’s time to let the people vote.  Now that all voters have these opportunities, it is imperative that we use them. All the early voting hours in the world are meaningless if no one casts their ballot.”

Sen. Edna Brown

Assistant Minority Whip (D-Toledo)

“By rejecting Secretary Husted’s appeal for a final time, the Supreme Court has sided with working Ohioans across our state by expanding their opportunities to vote in the upcoming election. I hope this decision sends a signal to policy makers that access to the polls should never be arbitrarily limited for partisan gain.”

Sen. Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard)

“I am pleased to see the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the lower court’s decision to protect Ohioans right to cast their votes early. Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and should never be curtailed.”

Sen. Charleta Tavares (D-Columbus)

"The Supreme Court has upheld the people's rights to a fair and uninterrupted early voting process. This decision reinforces our goal to enfranchise and expand voting opportunities in Ohio."

Sen. Tom Sawyer (D-Akron)

“Early voting is something that is extremely important to the working people across Ohio.  Providing those extra days and hours provides people the opportunity to exercise their right to vote during an important election season.  The decision made by the U.S. Supreme Court was fair and just.”

Sen. Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland)

“As the saying goes, the third time’s a charm.  Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear Secretary Husted’s appeal, I am relieved that he did not waste time issuing a directive for standardized early-voting hours during the three days before Election Day on November 6.  These Republican shenanigans have run their course, and they have exposed their party’s insincerity about fair elections and the rule of law. Through yesterday, 12,018 voters in Cuyahoga County had taken advantage of early voting at the Board of Elections - a 19% increase from the same time in 2008.  With every passing day, more voters are casting ballots, and we have every reason to expect this trend to continue straight through Election Day.”

Sen. Lou Gentile (D-Steubenville)

“This decision is a tremendous victory for the voters and citizens of Ohio.  Voting is the most fundamental right we have in our nation.  The courts decision reaffirms that voter suppression efforts in Ohio will not be tolerated.”

Senate Democrats File Brief with U.S. Supreme Court

Columbus—Today, Senate Minority Leader Eric H. Kearney (D-Cincinnati) and the entire Senate Democratic Caucus continued the fight for Ohioans’ right to vote by filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court.  The brief asks the Court to deny Secretary of State Jon Husted’s appeal and preserve in-person early voting for the last three days before the November 6^th election.

“It is imperative that the court promptly deny applicants’ requested stay and allow early in-person voting to proceed as it has for the last six years in Ohio,” Senator Kearney and the Caucus said in the brief.  “Early voting has already begun and a last minute decision curtailing previously granted voting opportunities would undermine the public interest in voting rights for all citizens.”

The brief was filed in response to Secretary Husted’s appeal of a decision by the U.S. 6^th Circuit Court of Appeals decision that found Ohio Republicans had violated the Constitution by denying Ohioans an equal opportunity to vote in-person at their board of elections on the three days prior to the election.

“As members of the General Assembly, amici (we) understand the need to regulate election procedures, but we refuse to accept policies that discriminate and burden the right to vote,” the brief further states.

An Amicus Curiae or “friend of the Court” brief gives an individual or group who is not a party to a case the opportunity to make their views known to the Court and raise arguments and perspectives not otherwise considered.  A copy of the brief is available below. 

Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus Amicus Brief (PDF)

Minority Leader Kearney Responds to Secretary of State’s Decision to Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court

Columbus—Senate Minority Leader Eric H. Kearney (D-Cincinnati) issued the following statement today after Secretary of State Jon Husted announced he will appeal the U.S. 6^thDistrict Court of Appeals’ decision which ordered in-person early voting to be restored for the three days proceeding the November 6^th election:

“It is now clear that Secretary of State Jon Husted will stop at nothing to deny Ohioans full and equal access to the polls.  By filing an appeal with the U. S. Supreme Court, Secretary Husted is once again searching for legal justification for Republican election laws that would deny some Ohioans the right to vote on the last three days before the election.  Instead of standing up for the Constitution as he claims, the Secretary of State is standing in the way of equal access to the polls, which is the most fundamental right in our democracy.  Furthermore, Secretary Husted is causing unnecessary delay and confusion just four weeks before election day.”

Senator Turner Questions Secretary of State Husted’s Appeal to the Supreme Court

CLEVELAND – Today, State Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) issued the following statement in response to Secretary of State Jon Husted’s decision to appeal last week’s ruling by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals allowing for ballots to be cast on the three days leading up to Election Day. “It would not be necessary for federal courts to intervene in our state’s elections were it not for Republican leaders’ continued attempts to restrict the opportunities that Ohioans have to cast a ballot. If the secretary is truly concerned about setting statewide voting hours, nothing in the Sixth Circuit’s ruling prohibits him from doing so during the three days before the election. “With just four weeks to go before November 6, it is absolutely imperative that Ohioans have a clear set of ground rules for a free and fair election. This continued confusion is just as powerful a tactic to suppress the vote as any other. As the state’s chief elections official, it is Secretary Husted’s responsibility to ensure that all citizens have optimal access to the ballot box—not to litigate away precious voting opportunities.”

Senate Democrats Reacts to Court of Appeals Decision

Columbus—Today, Senate Minority Leader Eric H. Kearney and Senate Democrats released the following statements in response to the bipartisan decision by the Ohio 6th Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold the ruling by Federal District Court Judge Peter C. Economus which ordered in-person early voting to be restored for the three days proceeding the November 6th election: Sen. Eric H. Kearney Senate Democratic Leader (D-Cincinnati) “Today’s ruling speaks to the issue of fairness and equity.  Voters should be given as many opportunities to exercise their right to vote as possible. The Republican controlled legislature gave the boards the authority to grant last weekend voting and I encourage boards to use today’s Court of Appeals decision to do so.” Sen. Nina Turner Minority Whip (D-Cleveland) “Today is a truly great day for people all over the state of Ohio. The ruling by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding Judge Economus’ decision supports the right of suffrage for all voters, and affords them critical opportunities to cast their ballots this fall. Justice is served! “With the last three days of early voting again an option, it is now the duty of local boards of elections to side with voters and promote access to the ballot box.” Sen. Edna Brown Assistant Minority Whip (D-Toledo) “Today’s decision is a victory for Ohioans. The court system has forcefully checked the transparent and shameless efforts by Republicans to suppress voter turnout in our state. There is no excuse for deliberating limiting a citizen’s ability to vote no matter how much easier it is to cast a ballot than in the past. This ruling marks a setback for those attempting to circumvent access to one of the most precious rights we have as Americans; THE RIGHT TO VOTE.” Sen. Tom Sawyer (D-Akron) “In upholding the district court’s decision, the 6th circuit affirmed the importance of protecting the right to vote.  County boards of elections and all elected officials should establish fair and accessible voting opportunities for all Ohioans.” Sen. Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland) “I applaud the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals for upholding the earlier decision that all registered Ohio voters should have access to early voting during the three days before the November 6th election.  The Secretary of State and the Attorney General should stop the political shenanigans, and they should stop wasting taxpayer dollars on meritless appeals.  It was shameful of the governing party to try to reduce early voting in the first place, and challenging the federal court’s first decision was mockery of the election process.  Perhaps now they can focus on the election, instead of trying to disenfranchise part of the voting population.  I trust that the Secretary will now do whatever is necessary to promptly comply with the court order.  Amidst this divisive campaign, Ohioans deserve better.” Sen. Lou Gentile (D-Steubenville) “I am pleased to hear the court’s decision in protecting the right to vote for Ohioans and that fair and equal voting rights are given to all.” -30-

Sleep Out the Vote in Columbus

Video of "Sleep Out the Vote" at the Franklin County Board of Elections.  The Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus sponsored the event to promote early voting which begins October 2nd.  Similar events were held in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo and Youngstown.