Crossover voters in Ohio must pledge to new party

March 31, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Republicans and county elections boards are grumbling about a new directive from Ohio’s Democratic elections chief that requires voters who change parties to sign a form stating that they support the principles of their new political affiliation.

Late last week, Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner told her local counterparts to challenge such crossover voters and have them submit an allegiance statement signed under penalty of election falsification, a felony.

Absentee ballots returned by crossover voters for the May 4 primary will be disqualified if they are not accompanied with the signed forms, according to the directive.

Jon Husted, a Republican now running for Brunner’s job, suggested one of her goals may be to make it tough for people to change parties and vote in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, in which Brunner is a candidate.

Husted also said the directive was likely to confuse voters, and on Monday, he called for Brunner to take it back.

Brunner faces a tough Democratic primary against Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher in the race for the seat being vacated by retiring Republican George Voinovich.

On the Republican side, candidate Rob Portman has no primary challenger.

Brunner denies any political motivations for her directive and is standing firm, because the directive does nothing more than underline existing Ohio law, said Jeff Ortega, a spokesman for the secretary.

“The intent of the law is to prevent what is called party raiding,” Ortega said. “This is reminding boards of elections of their duty under the law.”

However, not every county has interpreted the law the same way. Some have been challenging all crossover voters, and others, such as Franklin County, which includes Columbus, allowed poll workers some discretion.

“I think it is unfortunate that the secretary of state is requiring a new hurdle for voters to clear to exercise their right to vote and associate with the party they choose,” said Matthew Damschroder, the Republican deputy director of the Franklin County Board of Elections.