Federal Court Says Ohio GOP Violated Voting Rights
Since Republicans discovered that lower turnout helps their chances of winning elections – see 2010 and 2014 – they have made a widespread effort to make it harder for some Americans to cast their ballots.
A total of 22 states have enacted tough voter restrictions in the last six years, whether it’s cutting early voting hours or eliminating same-day registration. In 17 of those states, 2016 is the first year these strict laws will be in place for a presidential election.
Today, a Republican federal judge is hoping to hit the brakes on Republican efforts to restrict voting in at least one of those states: Ohio.
Federal Judge Michael Watson of Columbus said the restrictions – Senate Bill 238 – adversely impact African-American voters in the state. The judge called the law a violation of both the Consitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.