Voting with Criminal Convictions

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.

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.

10.03.16

Don’t Get it Twisted—A Conviction Cannot Stop You from Voting

By Katrice Williams

The ACLU of Ohio held a voting rights tele-town hall meeting on Tuesday, September 27 as part of National Voter Registration Day.

Our town hall meeting was moderated by activist and media personality Basheer Jones, and featured panelists Crystal Bryant, co-director and partner at Cleveland VOTES, and Katrice Williams, policy associate at the ACLU of Ohio.

10.19.15

Voting: Civil Death, Misinformation, and Marginalization

By Shakyra Diaz

To vote in the United States, you must be a citizen and 18 years or older. However, in some states citizens are stripped of their right to vote permanently. Luckily, Ohio is not one of those states.

Who are these citizens robbed of their right to participate in democracy?

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.

09.09.15

Don’t Be Confused! People With Criminal Convictions Can Vote in Ohio

By Shakyra Diaz

Many states impose lifetime voting bans or restrict voting for people who are on parole, probation, or unable to pay court-related fines. The good news is that Ohio is not one of those states, but more on that later.

Now the Bad News

There’s a great deal of voter confusion and misinformation.