CLEVELAND- After complaints from voter registration groups who were prevented from reaching college students, the ACLU of Ohio today called on Ohio school administrators to grant full access on campus to these groups. September 30, 2008 marked the first day of early voting in Ohio, as well as a five day window where new voters could register and vote at the same time.
ACLU of Ohio Executive Director Christine Link said, “The ability to register and cast a vote on the same day is especially crucial for college students. Many of these young people are first time voters and casting their ballots early could help alleviate long lines and registration problems on Election Day.”
Link added, “For our society to function, we must have engaged citizens fully ready to participate in the democratic process, which includes voting. Colleges and universities should be leaders in helping their students to register to vote, not accomplices in suppressing those who could aid them.”
The ACLU of Ohio received two complaints yesterday from organizations attempting to conduct voter registration drives on college campuses. The first complaint came from Cuyahoga Community College’s East Campus. Volunteers came onto campus and were given a table by administrators where they could conduct registration. Administrators then informed the group they would not be able to post banners or posters, and then stated they would not be able to conduct the registration drive at all. Four campus police officers arrived on the scene and escorted the volunteers off campus and then forced them to produce identification. One of the volunteers was arrested and issued citations for obstructing official business and disorderly conduct.
The second report came out of Wright State University near Dayton. A non-partisan group was conducting a voter registration drive when university officials informed the group they could not solicit on campus and had to have a student group sponsor them in order to continue their work.
“As institutions of higher learning, all colleges should encourage students to register to vote. It’s deeply troubling that these schools have chosen to interfere with groups that could aid them in their mission to engage young people in civic life,” Link concluded.
