Ohio election law opponents: Referendum cannot be pulled from Nov. ballot

February 22, 2012 at 12:03a.m.

COLUMBUS

The group behind an effort to repeal controversial, GOP-backed changes to Ohio’s election laws said Tuesday that Republican lawmakers cannot pull a November referendum from the ballot without its consent.

Fair Elections Ohio and former Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner told reporters during a conference call that Republican lawmakers should let voters have the final say on House Bill 194.

“Lawmakers need to leave well enough alone,” said Brunner, a Democrat. “It’s obvious that they’ve figured out that this is a bad law all in all, and that they potentially sustain political damage if it’s on the ballot. But unfortunately, the voice of the people, which is in the Constitution, doesn’t give them any out here. They need to face the consequences of what they’ve done.”

House Bill 194 proposes a number of changes to Ohio’s election laws, including shortening the state’s early-voting period, eliminating the so-called “golden week” during which people can register to vote and cast ballots on the same day and prohibiting elections boards from sending unsolicited absentee-ballot applications to eligible voters.

Proponents believe the changes are needed to help prevent fraud and ensure election rules are applied consistently across the state.

But opponents say the changes will make it harder for the elderly, low-income residents and minorities to cast ballots.

The latter collected enough signatures to place the new law on the November ballot. The provisions included in HB 194 are on hold, pending the outcome of the election.

A poll paid for and released by Fair Elections Ohio on Tuesday noted that 54 percent of 705 likely voters would repeal the new law, versus 31 percent who support it.

Senate Republicans have launched an effort to repeal House Bill 194 before the general election. Senate President Tom Niehaus told reporters that his caucus is in discussions with Democrats to determine whether a compromise can be finalized to implement parts of the legislation in a new bill.

“The goal of the referendum is to repeal 194,” Niehaus said. “So what the Senate is saying is, ‘OK, let’s repeal 194. Then let’s look at those things where there is agreement.’ ... We want to make sure there is certainty and clarity for the November election. We don’t want to add confusion to the election process.”

Whether the repeal takes place is still in question. Republican House Speaker Bill Batchelder has voiced concern about the constitutionality of such a move.