Ohio’s Anti-Voter Bill would reduce the number of days of early voting, shorten mail ballot access by a week, restrict ballot drop boxes, and codify new reasons to throw away ballots, among other changes opposed by pro-voter advocates.
Ohio’s latest anti-voter bill comes as Republicans across the country have introduced over 350 bills restricting the right to vote this year alone, including in Ohio, where House Republicans recently approved a resolution urging Congress not to pass the For the People Act, legislation to make sure voting options are equally accessible across all 50 states.
“What we saw today was unsettling—Republicans unwilling to engage in civil discourse on their bill that would silence the voices of Ohioans by rolling back the right to vote,” said Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron). “If Republicans are unwilling to hear the people out, Democrats are going to take this issue to the people.”
Leader Sykes and House Democrats Thursday announced a statewide listening tour to hear from Ohio voters about the Ohio Anti-Voter Bill. The tour will be June 2-5 in cities throughout the state. Tentative dates for the tour include:
• Wednesday, June 2 in Cincinnati from 6-8 p.m.
• Thursday, June 3 in Columbus from 6-8 p.m.
• Friday, June 4 in Akron from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Saturday, June 5 in Cleveland from 12-2 p.m.
Locations will be announced in the coming days.
Here is what other Democratic members of the committee are saying:
“Any bill that erodes our freedom to vote is a nonstarter. Period,” said Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland). “HB 294 is an unwarranted rollback of our right to vote that’s every bit as dangerous as what passed in Georgia. The goal of this bill is simple—to suppress the votes and silence the voices of the marginalized and those who wish to be heard. We already have enough anti-voter laws in Ohio. We don’t need any more.”
“We had serious concerns about this bill and today’s hearing did nothing to allay those concerns. In fact, it confirmed them. This bill erodes our freedom to vote and anyone who values safe and accessible elections should be worried about the suppression tactics contained in this bill,” said Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron).
“House Bill 294 is a divisive and dangerous anti-voter bill that contains many of the same attacks on our freedom to vote we saw pass in Georgia and other states—and Republicans don’t even want Ohioans to hear about it,” said Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati). “Our statewide tour will empower Ohioans to be heard. Because we know that a democracy that works for us must include all of us.”
Aryeh Alex (he/him)
Executive Director, Ohio House Democratic Caucus
