Victory for the People, But is it Enough

Victory for the People, But is it Enough The Ohio Statehouse In my last article, I wrote about how many elected leaders across the country, and especially in Ohio, are drastically impinging on our freedom to make decisions through voting in democratic elections.   Since the time I wrote that post, a startling yet inspirational victory against those abuses was won by the people of Ohio: early voting for all citizens has been restored. On August 31, Judge Peter C. Economus, who sits on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, issued a preliminary injunction that effectively overturned Ohio’s law prohibiting ordinary citizens from casting their ballots during the final weekend before Election Day.   Economus, who has sat on the court since 1995 after being appointed by President Clinton, argued in his ruling that “there is no definitive evidence before the court that elections boards will be tremendously burdened” if they are required to remain open to the public during those critical final hours on the weekend before Election Day. On the same day that ruling came down, Ohio government officials sent absentee ballots to many voters registered in the state.   Absentee ballots provide a convenient option to those who may find that voting in the comfort of their own home on their own time is easier than finding time to stand in long lines at polling locations, especially those who must also manage work and family obligations.   Such an extraordinary sign of good will from the government is quite rare in the United States; Ohio is one of only three states (the others being Washington and Oregon) to mail absentee ballots to voters. But these measures, while helpful, are simply not bold enough solutions to confront the ever-growing problems our country has with voting.   Although actions like these will undoubtedly improve our current situation, it is very likely that they may soon be rolled back altogether.   Ohio Republicans have vowed to appeal the District Court’s ruling to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.   No matter what the outcome of that appeal, the case will surely find its way before the Supreme Court, which in the wake of its infamous decision in Bush v. Gore has shown that it is not afraid to tackle partisan issues best left to the elected branches of government.   And given the current make up of the Supreme Court, the decision it will reach if it chooses to hear the case will certainly be a toss-up, the implications of which should be quite unsettling. It is time for our leaders to finally stand up and do what is right for our democracy by instituting real elections reforms.   If officials in Ohio are willing to send registered voters absentee ballots, why not send eligible voters who have not yet registered the forms they need to do so?   And why not make those same forms available at street corners, shops, office buildings, and other convenient locations?   The only way that we can preserve our democracy is by empowering the people, and the best way to empower the people is to get them to the polls.   And it is up to everyone, especially our elected officials, to make this ideal a reality. Photo credit:  Mike King