To the editor:
The Trump regime is attacking the power and integrity of the vote by suppressing access to registration and balloting, devaluating votes cast, and interfering with the vote count itself.
In several areas, our Ohio state government is complicit with the current federal attack on the people’s electoral power, beginning with unfair districting. Votes have been distributed in a partisan way through gerrymandered district maps; the value of Republican ballots is inflated, and Democratic ballots count for less. Maps are currently being redrawn, but by politicians rather than an independent commission, so the imbalance in voting power might even increase.
In 2024 a “use it or lose it process” purged 150,000 voters from our state’s rolls, flagging the name of anyone who had not voted for two years. It became a flagged individual’s responsibility to prove a local address in order to stay on the rolls. Purges have disenfranchised thousands of eligible voters. Then just last month Ohio completed another round of voter roll inspections; local election boards have been culling names again.
In March Trump issued an Executive Order demanding that election boards adhere to new guidelines rigidly restricting the use of machines that record votes within barcodes. Compliance would decertify voting machines commonly used in our state, costing millions of dollars in replacement. Disqualification of ballots cast by barcode-using machines could change an election outcome.
Two years ago, the governor signed a do-it-all voter suppression bill, HB458, that makes the ballot box less accessible. It contains one of the strictest voter ID laws in the country. Only an Ohio driver’s license, Ohio ID card, US or state military ID, or a passport are acceptable. The requirement comes down hardest on the poor, the elderly, and people of color. Also, it adversely affects the tens of thousands of out of state students who will not have Ohio IDs.
The same law curtails times, places, and ways to vote. There are fewer early voting days. Only one drop box is allowed per county. Only disabled persons can vote curbside. Voters are given less time to cure ballots. Mail-in ballots must be formally requested; a voter has less time to apply for a ballot; only the disabled can ask for assistance; a mailed ballot must be received six days earlier than before. Push back by supporting voting power: check to see that you are registered and have an acceptable ID; volunteer with the League of Woman Voters; sign ACLU’s letter to your representatives to urge new fair district maps.
Birch Moonwoman
Nelsonville, Ohio
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