Voter Registration

11.09.17

Ohio Marijuana Reform: Progress at Local Level

By Celina Coming

On Tuesday, Athens voters overwhelmingly approved ending all penalties for marijuana possession of up to seven ounces. This ballot measure is a hidden gem in this week’s election results and deserves statewide recognition for expanding civil liberties and moving Ohio a step closer to marijuana legalization, which the ACLU has long supported.

09.25.17

Going Beyond the Historic Right to Vote

By Katrice Williams

National Voter Registration Day, celebrated on Tuesday, September 26, is a national holiday that focuses on the importance of voter registration. Organizations and community groups across the country will come together to hold public events, educational workshops, and registration drives. The task before them, however, might be larger than expected due to the rising amounts of voter apathy and voter fatigue in the U.S.

09.14.17

Ohio’s New Online Voter Registration: Expanding Access to the Ballot Box

By Katrice Williams

After years of lobbying and activism from voting rights organizations, Ohioans can finally register to vote online. This opportunity was not available prior to January 1, 2017, but now that it’s here, it’s sure to increase the number of people who can register.

07.18.17

A “How-To” Guide for Activists Registering Jailed Voters

By Katrice Williams

Many Ohioans are misinformed about Ohio’s voting laws including who is eligible to vote with a criminal record. These myths are most common among jail officials, local election authorities and in communities with a high population of persons returning from prison.

07.17.17

National Disability Voter Registration Week, July 17-21

By Katrice Williams

Every year thousands of Ohioans with disabilities are turned away from polling precincts or dismissed at voter registration drives. Often, this is a result of stereotypes regarding their competence or intelligence.

Anyone who meets the eligibility requirements for voting can cast a ballot.

05.25.17

Ken Blackwell’s “Greatest” Hits: Voting Edition

By Katrice Williams

President Trump has created an “election integrity” commission to investigate voter fraud and voter suppression in the United States. Serving as the commission’s chair and vice chair are Vice President Mike Pence and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, respectively, with former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell serving as well.

04.26.17

Don’t Wait Four Years to Vote

By James Kosmatka

While many Americans may feel that they are left out of the political process, 45 percent of adults did not even vote in the 2016 presidential election. The number of adults that will not cast a ballot in non-presidential elections is even higher (63.6% in 2014).

08.12.16

Voting Local Has A Big Impact On Issues You Care About

By Katrice Williams

The last days of July marked the end to both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, where Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have risen as their parties’ presidential nominees for November’s general election.

But limiting November’s general election to just the presidential race is short-sighted, especially given the open seats in the U.S.

09.30.15

Last Chance to Register for November’s Election

By Shakyra Diaz

Ohio’s voter registration deadline is Monday, October 5—only a few days away. For those not registered to vote that’s a short amount of time to download, complete, and mail the registration application or go to a board of elections or BMV to register.

09.28.15

One Voice, One Vote: Leading With Conviction

By Shakyra Diaz

I recently joined a delegation from the Women of Color Foundation for its first annual Leadership Symposium-Prison Outreach Initiative to participate in a daylong conference with about 250 incarcerated women at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville.

In a large assembly-style room, we were greeted with a beautiful banner and mural that was painted by some resident artists.

09.23.15

What Does It Mean to Vote Free of Barriers?

By Adrienne Gavula

All polling locations must be physically accessible for people with disabilities, and each polling location must have one accessible voting machine. But does accessibility only mean technology and brick and mortar?

Time to Change Attitudes

When we think about barriers for voters with disabilities, we often think of physical barriers, but there are people barriers, too.

06.29.15

Online Voter Registration on its Way to Reality!

By Lisa Wurm

The ACLU of Ohio supports online voter registration, especially for the many Ohioans with disabilities, limited incomes, inflexible work or family schedules, or lack of transportation means.

Strong Support Paying Off

Ohio Senate Bill 63 will establish a secure, online voter registration system for the state and was just passed last week by the state Senate.

04.27.15

Voter Registration: Ohio Needs to Join the 21st Century

By Lisa Wurm

This is the second article in the “Online for All” series.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 finds that “discriminations against individuals with disabilities” persist in critical areas, such as voting.  It stipulates that all state and local governments ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to government programs and services, as well as requires equally effective communications to these individuals.

04.13.15

“Online For All” Makes All the Sense in the World

By Lisa Wurm

This is the first article in the “Online for All” series.

Democracy will not thrive without recognizing the fundamental rights of all people.

When it comes to voter registration, without undue difficulty, that’s especially true. Making this process workable for all requires taking action on behalf of those facing obstacles.

04.03.15

Ohio’s Voting Record: Ready to Strike Out or Hit a Grand Slam?

By Lisa Wurm

It’s indisputable that voting is critical for Ohioans.

We strive to make our communities a better place to live and to ensure that our democracy works for everyone. However, to do this, all our votes are crucial—for Ohio and the entire nation.

03.28.15

March Madness (or Not Registering to Vote)

By Adrienne Gavula

Time and time again voters profess their wavering loyalty to the ballot and only show up in large numbers for presidential elections. Many people will pay more attention to the hustle and bustle of collegiate sports this month than the excitement of local politics, but this is when the real change occurs.