CLEVELAND – The ACLU of Ohio kicked off a statewide advertising campaign today urging Ohio voters to not to leave their polling place without voting. In response to complaints to the ACLU of Ohio office and confusion created by the Secretary of State over provisional ballots, the ACLU recommends that voters go to the polls ready to firmly but civilly assert their rights. Full-page ads will appear in weekly newspapers in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus, and Dayton.
The advertisement reads, “If you show up at the right polling place on November 2 but cannot be located in the book, request a provisional ballot. If the poll worker refuses, ask again… Firmly and politely ask again.” The advertisement is designed with perforation so that readers may tear it out and distribute widely. It is also available from the organization’s website: www.acluohio.org.
Concerned that under-trained poll workers might discourage provisional balloting, the ACLU of Ohio is seeking to educate the public about their rights. The ACLU is worried that misinformed voters might walk away dejected, without casting a vote. The ad campaign is a preemptive effort to instruct voters that they may exercise the option of using a provisional ballot.
“Registered voters who are at the correct polling place have an absolute right to vote,” said ACLU of Ohio legal director Jeff Gamso. “If voters are not assertive about their right to a provisional ballot they could be left out. Insist on a provisional ballot. If you are voting in error, that can be sorted out later, but if you leave without voting, your voice will not be heard.”
“The Secretary of State’s posturing during this election season has been irresponsible and has caused much confusion. The ACLU of Ohio wants voters to be empowered when they go to the polls,” added executive director Christine Link. “Some very important decisions will be made in this election, voters should refuse to leave without casting their vote. Be persistent and insistent.”
The nonprofit, nonpartisan ACLU of Ohio is a state affiliate of the national ACLU. Funded entirely through charitable gifts and membership dues, the ACLU defends individual rights through litigation, lobbying, and educational initiatives. The ACLU of Ohio has a staff office in Cleveland and community and campus chapters located in every region of Ohio. There are over 18,000 ACLU members and supporters in Ohio and over 400,000 nationwide. To learn more about the ACLU of Ohio interested persons are invited to visit the organization’s website at CLEVELAND – The ACLU of Ohio kicked off a statewide advertising campaign today urging Ohio voters to not to leave their polling place without voting. In response to complaints to the ACLU of Ohio office and confusion created by the Secretary of State over provisional ballots, the ACLU recommends that voters go to the polls ready to firmly but civilly assert their rights. Full-page ads will appear in weekly newspapers in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus, and Dayton.
The advertisement reads, “If you show up at the right polling place on November 2 but cannot be located in the book, request a provisional ballot. If the poll worker refuses, ask again… Firmly and politely ask again.” The advertisement is designed with perforation so that readers may tear it out and distribute widely. It is also available from the organization’s website: www.acluohio.org.
Concerned that under-trained poll workers might discourage provisional balloting, the ACLU of Ohio is seeking to educate the public about their rights. The ACLU is worried that misinformed voters might walk away dejected, without casting a vote. The ad campaign is a preemptive effort to instruct voters that they may exercise the option of using a provisional ballot.
“Registered voters who are at the correct polling place have an absolute right to vote,” said ACLU of Ohio legal director Jeff Gamso. “If voters are not assertive about their right to a provisional ballot they could be left out. Insist on a provisional ballot. If you are voting in error, that can be sorted out later, but if you leave without voting, your voice will not be heard.”
“The Secretary of State’s posturing during this election season has been irresponsible and has caused much confusion. The ACLU of Ohio wants voters to be empowered when they go to the polls,” added executive director Christine Link. “Some very important decisions will be made in this election, voters should refuse to leave without casting their vote. Be persistent and insistent.”
The nonprofit, nonpartisan ACLU of Ohio is a state affiliate of the national ACLU. Funded entirely through charitable gifts and membership dues, the ACLU defends individual rights through litigation, lobbying, and educational initiatives. The ACLU of Ohio has a staff office in Cleveland and community and campus chapters located in every region of Ohio. There are over 18,000 ACLU members and supporters in Ohio and over 400,000 nationwide. To learn more about the ACLU of Ohio interested persons are invited to visit the organization’s website at www.acluohio.org.
