After the election intimidation of Ohio's voters four years ago partially perpetrated by then Secretary of State Blackwell (R-Of course) this year's election officials sought to do better. In order to handle the massive amount of people wanting to exercise their right to vote, Ohio made the process easier by allowing for early voting. In response, the GOP decided to fight it with all their might because to the Republican party, the more people vote, the worse the results get for them. Court after court (except for one) sided with the voters and the new Secretary of State. Finally today that battle is over, as the Supreme Court handed down their decision.
From MSNBC:
It isn't a slam dunk decision, but it is good enough to enfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters that were denied that right four years ago. Instead of long lines that lasted into the night, now people can vote with ease and not have to deal with roadblocks put between them and the polls.
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court sided Friday with Ohio's top elections official in a dispute with the state Republican Party over voter registrations.The justices overruled a federal appeals court that had ordered Ohio's top elections official to do more to help counties verify voter eligibility.[...]
Ohio Republicans contended the information for counties would help prevent fraud. Brunner said the GOP is trying to disenfranchise voters.
In a brief unsigned opinion, the justices said they were not commenting on whether Ohio is complying with a provision of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 that lays out requirements for verifying voter eligibility.
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