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CLEVELAND – Today the Northeast Ohio Voter Advocates (NOVA) endorsed a ballot initiative to modernize Ohio’s elections. The proposed constitutional amendment would expand voter registration, solidify early voting, and ensure timely ballots for military and overseas citizens. Ohioans for Secure and Fair Elections refiled the petition on February 10 with the Attorney General’s Office. The official campaign launch will occur in the coming weeks.

The following statement can be attributed to NOVA President, Lisa Gaynier:

"NOVA believes in expanding voter participation so that all voices are heard in our democracy. This state constitutional amendment provides opportunities for hard-working Ohioans to register and vote. NOVA research shows low-income voters, who are underrepresented at the polls, will be more likely to take advantage of the increased early voting required in this amendment. The amendment also requires that our military personnel around the world get their ballots earlier, to ensure they will get back to Ohio in time to be counted.  NOVA supports the voting rights of the men and women who protect our freedoms. We enthusiastically endorse the Secure and Fair Elections campaign because it will give more of our citizens a voice at the ballot box.”

The Ohio Chapter of the NAACP, Ohio’s A. Philip Randolph Institute, the Ohio Environmental Council, the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, the Ohio Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism, and the Ohio Student Association have also endorsed the campaign. Ohioans for Secure and Fair Elections continues to build a non-partisan, broadly representative buckeye coalition with Ohio veterans, faith-based groups, members of the disability rights community, advocacy and legal organizations.