Voter registration law faces court challenge

Blackwell says the new rules ensure legitimacy in the process.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- A coalition of civic groups filed suit Thursday over the state's new voter registration requirements that they say will hinder low income and minority citizens from getting to the polls.
Project Vote and other groups also contend that the threat of being charged with a crime for violating the voter registration policies creates a chilling effect that will deter people from canvassing.
"This is a class issue," said the Rev. Tony Minor, pastor of Communities of Faith Assemblies Church, a party in the federal lawsuit. "It's directed toward hindering poor people."
The lawsuit assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen M. O'Malley challenges a law requiring each person who registers voters to return the forms either in person or by mail to the local board of elections. State and local officials are among those listed as defendants.
Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, the Republican candidate for governor this year and a defendant in the case, said there's nothing in the laws that prohibit law-abiding citizens from getting involved in a voter registration campaign.
"This is about establishing accountability in the system so we are guaranteed that legitimate votes cast are not offset or neutralized by fraudulent votes," said Blackwell, campaigning in nearby Strongsville.
He said he expects to win the lawsuit.
"Why in the world would a fellow who gets 40 percent of the African-American vote want to, in fact, repress the African-American vote?" Blackwell said. "This is all about a fear that I, in fact, am going to cut into their traditional base. What they are doing is perpetuating urban myths that have been knocked down by courts, knocked down by law enforcement and election authorities."
The old rules
In the past, a canvasser could return forms to a church or institution promoting a voter registration drive. Those groups could then send forms to the local board of elections.
The lawsuit also challenges the online training required for those who will be compensated for registering voters, saying it's too difficult for churches and groups that don't have access to computers.
Blackwell spokesman James Lee said the secretary of state's office will provide training materials by mail if requested.
The Rev. Mr. Minor said the laws' requirements would prevent his church from enlisting 100 people to register people to vote in this fall's elections. He hoped to get 25. The church plans to reward the canvassers with a cash stipend, Cleveland Indians tickets or concert tickets.
Blackwell said the laws were passed by the Legislature and that his office was required to draft rules that complied with the law.
Other groups listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, Common Cause Ohio, People for the American Way Foundation and American Association of People with Disabilities.