Brunner: Postpone election reform bill

By Marc Kovac

Brunner voiced specific concerns about citizens’ privacy.

COLUMBUS — Democratic Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner continued to urge the Republican leaders of the Ohio Legislature to put the brakes on an election-reform bill that is slated for action during this week, the final scheduled week of the 127th General Assembly.

“I think it’s a very hasty move,” she said. “And I think it’s unfortunate that they would move ahead in spite of so much testimony that they’ve received and letters and e-mails from people saying, ‘Please just be deliberate; slow down.’”

Brunner spoke to reporters Monday after presiding over the 52nd Electoral College of Ohio, where 20 citizens cast the state’s 20 electoral votes for President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

Last week, the Ohio Senate passed election-reform legislation, including provisions to close a same day vote/registration window and to allow multiple early-voting sites in counties.

It also would allow observers in early-voting sites and require the secretary of state to inform counties when residents’ voting registration, driver’s license and/or Social Security records contain conflicting information.

The bill is being considered by the Ohio House, which is expected to act on it before the end of the week.

In comments to reporters and in separate written testimony, Brunner urged lawmakers to postpone action on election reform until next year, providing additional opportunities for interested parties to be involved in legislative deliberations.

She voiced specific concerns about citizens’ privacy and about rolling voter registration deadlines, which she said would cause more confusion for voters and elections officials.

In a released statement, she added, “It is unfortunate that Senate Bill 380 continues to lack bipartisan support. I remain concerned that Senate Bill 380 will create needless administrative challenges for boards and invite costly litigation in the future.”

mkovac@dixcom.com