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10.01.08
Ohio Colleges Should Not Engage in Voter Suppression
First Day of Early Voting Produces Complaints of Restricted Access at Colleges Around State
CLEVELAND- After complaints from voter registration groups who were
prevented from reaching college students, the ACLU of Ohio today called
on Ohio school administrators to grant full access on campus to these
groups. September 30, 2008 marked the first day of early voting in Ohio,
as well as a five day window where new voters could register and vote at
the same time.
ACLU of Ohio Executive Director Christine Link said, “The ability to
register and cast a vote on the same day is especially crucial for
college students. Many of these young people are first time voters and
casting their ballots early could help alleviate long lines and
registration problems on Election Day.”
Link added, “For our society to function, we must have engaged citizens
fully ready to participate in the democratic process, which includes
voting. Colleges and universities should be leaders in helping their
students to register to vote, not accomplices in suppressing those who
could aid them.”
The ACLU of Ohio received two complaints yesterday from organizations
attempting to conduct voter registration drives on college campuses. The
first complaint came from Cuyahoga Community College’s East Campus.
Volunteers came onto campus and were given a table by administrators
where they could conduct registration. Administrators then informed the
group they would not be able to post banners or posters, and then stated
they would not be able to conduct the registration drive at all. Four
campus police officers arrived on the scene and escorted the volunteers
off campus and then forced them to produce identification. One of the
volunteers was arrested and issued citations for obstructing official
business and disorderly conduct.
The second report came out of Wright State University near Dayton. A
non-partisan group was conducting a voter registration drive when
university officials informed the group they could not solicit on campus
and had to have a student group sponsor them in order to continue their
work.
“As institutions of higher learning, all colleges should encourage
students to register to vote. It’s deeply troubling that these schools
have chosen to interfere with groups that could aid them in their
mission to engage young people in civic life,” Link concluded.
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