The ACLU of Ohio issued the following statement today regarding the efforts of two Ohio legislators to prioritize electoral reform in this session of the Ohio General Assembly:

“The ACLU of Ohio is happy to see that Senator Coughlin and Representative DeWine have taken the first step and made election reform a priority for the current session of the Ohio General Assembly. In the 2004 election, long lines, antiquated voting technology, the prospect of partisan challengers, and confusion surrounding provisional ballots created substantial barriers to people’s ability to exercise their right to vote.

“Free suffrage is one of our most cherished civil liberties. The ACLU of Ohio was dismayed to see so many turned away at Ohio’s polls due to procedural and mechanical flaws.

“We look forward to working with Senator Coughlin, Representative DeWine, and the rest of the General Assembly in their efforts toward making Ohio's voting systems more fair and efficient.”