Ohio is one of 32 states that allow voters to cast an early ballot by mail or in person without an excuse. In 2008, about 30 percent of the swing state’s total vote — or roughly 1.7 million ballots — came in ahead of Election Day.
Obama for America’s lawsuit comes after a series of election law changes cleared the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature and Republican Gov. John Kasich signed them.
Before the changes, local boards of election had the discretion to set their own early, in-person voting hours on the days before the election. People were allowed up until Monday before the Tuesday election to vote in person. Weekend voting varied among the state’s 88 counties.
With the changes, most Ohioans now have until the Friday evening before the Tuesday election to cast a ballot in person. But military voters can continue to vote in person until Monday.
Democrats contend the legislative changes to the in-person, early-voting deadlines resulted in “arbitrary and inequitable” treatment of similarly situated voters.
The office of Ohio’s Republican attorney general, who is also being sued along with the secretary of state, responded to the campaign’s lawsuit late Wednesday in a court filing.
Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office noted that all Ohioans have numerous voting options that include casting an absentee by mail starting 35 days before the election, casting an in-person ballot on other days, and voting at their polling location on Election Day.
“These options, absent the possibility of a few more hours, do not harm anyone,” wrote Richard Coglianese, an assistant attorney general.
