ACLU: American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio
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11.05.08

ACLU Calls on Officials to Make Ballot More Accessible
Lawmakers Should Act to Simplify Election Law

CLEVELAND– The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio fielded calls and online reports from voters across Ohio leading up to and on November 4, 2008. Several trends emerged including the positive effect early voting had on the election and the need to increase training on provisional ballots and clarify identification rules. In the weeks and months following the election, state officials in the Ohio General Assembly and other offices may look to ways to improve the voting process and should focus on these areas to simplify existing requirements.

ACLU of Ohio Executive Director Christine Link said, “By early reports, Ohioans turned out in record numbers to vote early in person, by mail, or on Election Day. Early voting helped to alleviate long lines at the polls and allow those who may not have had an opportunity to stand in line on Election Day to cast their vote early. Officials must look at new ways to expand its use.”

In some counties, one quarter to one third of all registered voters cast their ballots early using mail in ballots or in person at their local Board of Elections. Some counties, such as Franklin County, offered locations separate from the Board of Elections office where people could vote. Satellite locations such as this could help expand voters’ access to ballots because of improved parking, larger space to accommodate more voters, closer proximity to neighborhoods and greater accessibility for disabled and elderly voters. Additionally, voting early allows election officials to troubleshoot possible problems with voters’ registrations that may be incorrect or incomplete.

“While many groups worried about machine glitches and voter fraud, these issues did not cause catastrophic troubles in Ohio. The true problems in our election system are caused by simple human error and roadblocks placed in front of voters because of complex and archaic voting law,” added Link.

Across the state, there were reports of significant numbers of voters being required to cast a provisional ballot instead of a regular ballot. Many reports indicated poll workers did not understand some of the nuances of what constitutes acceptable identification, causing the voter to use a provisional ballot. Much of this can be attributed to Ohio’s complex rules on proper voter identification and inadequate training for poll workers.

“This election was a vast improvement over the past federal elections in Ohio. However, officials should not settle for a calamity free election, but strive to build on the improvements already made. We must create a system that is convenient and efficient for all people rather than complicate voting law and place more obstacles for voters,” concluded Link.

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