Ohio Christian Alliance
"WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE"  Ohio State Motto 

So-Called "Golden Week" is Gone!  SB 238 Passes Ohio House by a vote of 58-36.

Ohio Statehouse:

SB 238 is legislation that fixes the glitch that was created by the 126th Ohio General Assembly that unwittingly expanded early voting out 35 days. In the legislators' exuberance to expand early voting after the 2004 Election, they did not realize they were creating a gaping hole in existing law. When Ohioans learned of the resulting "Golden Week", they were incensed that campaigns were exploiting the gaffe that was created in the law.  Several legislative attempts were made in recent years in the Ohio General Assembly by both Democrats and Republicans to fix the problem by getting rid of Golden Week. but partisan bickering derailed the effort.  We as the citizens' audit determined that partisan quarreling would not derail the process this time, so that  efforts through the legislature and also policy directives by the Secretary of State would indeed fix Ohio's election laws.  It is anticipated that Governor Kasich will soon sign the legislation. 

In addition to SB 238, SB 205 - legislation that addresses absentee ballots and applications also passed on Wednesday by a vote of 59-36. This legislation specifies that only the Secretary of State can mail out applications for absentee ballots in mass, not individual counties. There was concern that some of the larger urban counties gained an advantage over smaller rural counties by mailing out applications for absentee ballots with postage paid. Smaller rural counties could not afford to do so.

Still more to come in election law revisions. We are tracking HB 250, legislation that limits early voting to two weeks. We are also tracking SB 216, legislation that addresses the problems with provisional ballots. We have an amendment that we want added to this bill, and that is to either mark or make a different color the provisional ballot so as to not be mistakenly fed into the optical scan machines on Election Day, as is the case in many precincts where the optical scan is in operation. 

Photo ID requirement polls at 70%, and yet HB 269, sponsored by State Rep. John Becker, has yet to receive a sponsor hearing.  Call your state representative and urge them to support HB 269, legislation that requires a photo ID for voting in Ohio

 

OCA is committed to election reform legislation in Ohio. As we have been committed to this work, please stand with us by making a generous contribution today. Thank you and God bless you.

 

 

  Ohio Christian Alliance is a non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting Judeo-Christian values in American government. Ohio Christian Alliance does not endorse any particular candidate or political party. OCA provides educational materials, including voter guides and scorecards.s.s.

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