On February 19 the Ohio House of Representatives passed two bills that will help to suppress voting in our state.  Yesterday, despite thousands of phone calls, emails and texts our governor - John Kasich - signed these bills into law.

SB 238 will reduce the numbder of days available for Ohioans to participate in the democratic process and exercise their right to vote.  This was done to prevent voter fraud, although facts show that only 0.002% of the vote cast in the 2012 election were found to be fraudulent.  

SB 205 limits voting by prohibiting counties from sending all registered voters absentee ballot applications.  It also makes it easier for local Boards of Elections to toss out valid votes by prohibiting election officials from helping the voter complete any portion of an absentee ballot application, ID envelope, or ballot.

These bill were passed and signed into law by our governor to make it more difficult for seniors, working people and minorities to participate in the election process.  

Passing legislation like this was more important to the Ohio legislature than working on bills that would help put Ohioans back to work.

Terry Grant, President OPWU AFL-CIO