The recent behavior of Secretary of State Blackwell in making extreme regulations that could inflict criminal penalties on those involved in voter registration could bring to a halt voter registration drives in Ohio. Blackwell, who is also the Republican candidate for governor, and famous for his voter suppression tactics in the 2004 election, has caught the attention of the New York Times (June 7, 2006, editorial), which states that, "If there was ever a sign of a ruling party in trouble, it is a game plan that calls for trying to win by discouraging voting."
Monday's hearing of the Joint Committee on Agency Rules and Regulations, announcing Blackwell's new rules to comply with the election "reform" law passed late last year, Sub. HB 3, brought out Common Cause/Ohio as well as the Ohio League of Women Voters, ACORN, the Ohio Democratic Party and others to testify. Samuel Gresham of CC/Ohio conveyed the sentiments of many, that Blackwell's actions "are intended to suppress Democratic voter turnout in what is shaping up as a closely contested governor's race..."
Because Sub HB 3 was adopted as emergency "reform" legislation and went into effect immediately without clear rules, advocates have been frustrated by the lack information from the Secretary of State's office and confusion over the new rules. Although this hearing was a welcomed forum to voice opposition and call for clarification on parts of the bill, we will reserve judgment on the final outcome.
Here are some of the issues raised by Common Cause and other advocates:
...the rules need to be clear so those conducting voter registration drives don't improperly register voters, leading to voter registrations being invalidated, and civic minded citizens being charged with a felony conviction;
...the rules should foster voter registration not impede it;
...these rules are obstructing voter registration efforts intended to help all Ohioans--and especially traditionally disenfranchised citizens like those with low-incomes, people of color, students, the elderly and persons with disabilities -- to register to vote and exercise this fundamental right;
...all churches, non-profits, businesses who have paid personnel that incorporate voter registration as part of their mission are now required to take an online training program before registering voters. Registrars are supposed to receive confirmation of training from the Secretary of State before proceeding to register individuals, but there is no specified timeline in which the Secretary of State has to provide confirmation of training; under the new rules each time voter registration forms are submitted they must be accompanied by a signed affirmation; under new rules you now must submit all completed application 10 days after the person has completed the form, or before the 30th day before the election, which ever in earlier; under the new rules employee of a designated agency is exempt from the rules, the question is what is a designated agents;
...the information about the requirement for presenting ID at the polls should spell out that "valid photo identification" includes only federal or Ohio-issued ID; otherwise people will show up with their ID issued by their private employer or school;
...Sub HB 3 violates provisions of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
