To the editor:
Ohio Senate Bill 153 (SB 153), the new anti-voting bill under consideration in the Ohio General Assembly is called Ohio’s “SAVE Act.” It will save nothing. It will impose increased burdens on voters, and on our hardworking and dedicated Board of Elections staff members. It is much worse that the proposed federal SAVE Act.
Ohio Senate Bill 153, if passed, will impose strict new laws meant to prevent non-citizens from voting in our elections, even though voting by noncitizens is extremely rare, is already illegal, and can lead to felony charges and deportation.
Ohio Senate Bill 153, if passed, will require “documentary proof of citizenship” in your current name. How many women have changed their name upon marriage? If you don’t have a US passport in your current name, or a copy of your marriage certificate, or other proof, you’ll be out of luck.
Ohio Senate Bill 153, if passed, will likely prohibit voter registration drives. Want to help register voters on campus or in your neighborhood? You’ll be out of luck.
Ohio Senate Bill 153, if passed, will require your drivers license address to match your current address. Have you moved since you updated your drivers license? You’ll be out of luck.
Ohio Senate Bill 153, if passed, will require the Board of Elections to cancel your voter registration if you vote provisionally, and fail to bring proper documentation to the Board of Elections within four days. Next time you go to vote, you’ll be out of luck.
Ohio Senate Bill 153, if passed, will allow prosecution of voters if they fail to respond within 14 days to a second “voter confirmation notice” sent to their address of record. Moved, but forgot to update your voter registration address or your forwarding address? Forgot to respond to the notice? You’ll be out of luck.
Ohio Senate Bill 153, if passed, will ban all ballot drop boxes. Want to vote by mail, then decide to drop off your ballot at the Board of Elections office, but can’t find a parking space? You’ll be out of luck.
Please contact your state legislators (Sen. Brian Chavez, and Rep. Don Jones or Rep. Kevin Ritter for Athens County) and urge them to VOTE NO on Senate Bill 153. Thank you.
Wenda Sheard
Athens, OH
