Jon Husted, Ohio Secretary of State
By hook or by crook, the GOP is out to steal your vote — or stop you from voting altogether.
Recently, the Republicans in Ohio tried to put the ixnay on early voting in their state through a measure passed last year by the GOP-controlled legislature. The Romney campaign tried to turn this mess on President Obama by accusing him of trying to prevent groups like veterans and firefights and police from voting. However, the veterans caught wind of Romney’s BS and called him on the carpet for it. Meanwhile, the law was being reviewed by federal court, and was struck down last week by a federal judge.
Well, Ohio’s Secretary of State, is having no part of that ruling and is refusing to implement it:
Announcing new hours before the court case reaches final resolution will only serve to confuse voters and conflict with the standard of uniformity sought in Directive 2012-35. Therefore, there is no valid reason for my office or the county boards of elections to set hours for in-person absentee voting the last three days before the election at this time. If the appellate courts ultimately reverse the trial court’s decision, in-person absentee voting for non-UOCAVA voters will end the Friday before the election. If however, the appellate courts uphold the trial court’s decision, I will be required to issue a consistent uniform schedule for statewide in-person voting hours for the last three days before the election. I am confident there will be sufficient time after the conclusion of the appeal process to set uniform hours across the state.
So, basically what he’s saying is that, despite the court’s ruling, he’s willing to defy and obstruct that ruling, further muddying the waters for voters who, understandably so, may be a little confused come election day. But make no mistake, that’s exactly his aim. It’s like a shell game, where the sleight of hand is impossible to keep track of with the naked eye.
So, Ohio, it’s looks like it’s up to you to be on the ball with this one.
NOTE: There is an update to this story HERE!
About Beth
He should be fired for failure to uphold the law, and actively defying it! No pension, no benefits! This should get his attention! Remove him now!
I second that!
The Jefferson County BOE states is not doing no such thing and questioned the story. They state he has not refused and he states I was misinformed. I have decided to vote absentee to avoid the hassle. I expect the GOP or funded super-pacs will have people on the ground at voting precincts to challenge voters who do not have their made up Id requirements. I don’t trust the Secretary of Stae after the 2000 election. Blackwell gave the state to Bush.
A few years in jail should clear up Husted’s misunderstanding of how law works.
I can’t understand why they can get by with this. They know Romney can’t win but just like the first Bush election they have to find a way to steal the vote. This is American, We are better then this. REPUBLICANS ARE SO SCARED THEY KNOW THEY ARE GOING TO LOSE.
He is not above the law, no matter how right he thinks his position is. The governor should remove him from his position or the court should have him jailed for contempt. Ohio is way too smart to put up with this game.
What is the purpose of enacting a law if it is not being enforced. Why on earth does this Secretary of State believe the law can be flouted without recourse, and why is America standing by an letting it happen? God will take care of the evil doers. Just watch and see.
Sounds like absentee voting is the way to go if regular voting hours are difficult or impossible for you. Republicans are not interested in making it easy for you to vote. Don’t back down, work to vote Republicans out of office since they don’t support making it convenient or easy for people to vote.