Ohio lawmakers (R's) approve bills that limit absentee & early voting

[Holly_Hobby]

I HAVE GOT TO GET OUT OF THIS STATE!!!! Please excuse my caps, but dammit!

Ohio lawmakers approve bills that put limits on early voting
Democrats threaten lawsuit if Kasich signs the legislation
BY JIM PROVANCE
BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU CHIEF

COLUMBUS — A pair of bills cutting early voting days and imposing new restrictions on absentee ballots are headed to Gov. John Kasich’s desk along with a promise from Democrats that they’ll sue in federal court if the Republican governor signs them into law.

“I caution the governor of the state, I caution this body, that the cost of litigation will be borne by the residents and taxpayers of this state as they were with each and every action that has been filed and each and every action that has been won,” said state Rep. Chris Redfern (D., Catawaba Island), who is chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party.

“The party has never filed an action since 2005 that we have lost — ever,” he said.

...

Debate turned contentious and eventually devolved into shouting when Republicans used their majority to cut off debate.

Solely with Republican votes, the House voted 59-37 to approve Senate Bill 238, sponsored by Sen. Frank LaRose (R., Fairlawn) to shave six to seven days, depending on the calendar, from the current window during which voters may cast absentee ballots by mail or in person prior to the election.

...

http://www.toledoblade.com/State/2014/02/20/Ohio-lawmakers-approve-bills-that-put-limits-on-early-voting.html

[daybranch]

1. Kinda like closing barn door after horses ran away

In a state with the structural problem of Gerrymandering obliterating the value of individual votes, it is rather amusing to hear state democrats complain about such limited abuses of power. One wonders when they see democrats in Columbus joining with republicans on the bipartisan Constitutional Modernization Commission to disregard competition as a valid critieria for redistricting. Shame on all us democrats. I used a small d because I am first a believer in majority rule, party cannot overshadow that. . Please call Redfern today and ask him if he is so concerned about voter rights in Ohio why does he support Voter rights in the redistricting process. Without competition , the majority does not rule, Without majority rule, there is no democracy. Wake up Ohio. President Obama said you have to make me do it. Apparently we have to make our Democratic leaders in Ohio do it too.
Yes while we fight these ridiculous bills forced on the people by the Gerrymandered republicans, we ignore the greater injustice of eliminating the voice of democracy with their Gerrymandering. Call Redfern and tell him this is not acceptable for Democratic leaders.

[Holly_Hobby]

2. Exactly!!!

I feel so hopeless here, we're making plans to move. My husband is so fed up, he's considering leaving the country. We don't feel represented.

My city has been blue for eons, except for the past 8 years. Our last 2 mayors are R's who ran as independents and they were elected with the help of the unions. Unbelievable.

The former mayor sold our entire waterfront to the Chinese (nothing against foreign investors, I'm upset that he sold our only resource here). And they both took money out of the capital fund and put it in the general fund, while our streets and sewers crumble.