Last Minute Directive by Ohio's Jon Husted Could See Legal Votes Discarded

[Ryan]

http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/19315

It appears that Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, a Republican, is on a mission to suppress Ohio voters. During the weeks leading up to Election Day, Husted has tried everything he can come up with, even defying court orders, in order to make sure that fewer people can vote early, and now get their vote counted. A last minute directive issued by Husted could now invalidate many legal provisional ballots.

Widely viewed as the most critical state for both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney's presidential campaigns, Ohio could swing the entire election if the 11th hour mandate stands.

Issued on Friday, the directive lays out the requirements for submitting a provisional ballot. The directive includes a form that puts the burden on the voter to correctly record the form of ID provided to election officials, and Husted instructed election officials not to count ballots if the form is not filled out correctly by a voter.

Voting rights advocates filed a lawsuit late Friday, stating that this is "contrary to a court decision on provisional ballots a week ago and contrary to statements made by attorneys for Husted at an Oct. 24 court hearing."

Husted directive also appears to be in violation of Ohio law.

Christ - what is this guy's problem?

 

[Engineer]

http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/19315



Christ - what is this guy's problem?

The 11th word of the story you posted (quoted).

 

[Paul98]

not surprising in the least, and we will have many people defending what he is doing. Not for any rational reason but based on their emotions and their alternate reality.

 

[Vic Vega]

The directive includes a form that puts the burden on the voter to correctly record the form of ID provided to election officials, and Husted instructed election officials not to count ballots if the form is not filled out correctly by a voter.

Do we have an example of what they are talking about? So if I read this literally, they have to specify on the form what type of photo ID they are using? IE, driver's license, school ID, etc?

 

[First]

^ Yeah I don't really get how the form of ID they're referring to would be identified or why it's necessary to invalidate the ballot even if not given correctly? It's confusing.

 

[Chris A]

It's a provisional ballot so it means they didn't register correctly or at all. Correct?

 

[Bowfinger]

http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/19315

Christ - what is this guy's problem?

From the same link:

Ohio Rev. Code § 3505.181(B)(6) provides that, once a voter casting a provisional ballot proffers identification, “the appropriate local election official shall record the type of identification provided, the social security number information, the fact that the affirmation was executed, or the fact that the individual declined to execute such an affirmation and include that information with the transmission of the ballot . . . .”

This suggests Husted is directly violating Ohio law with his directive, or at least is directing others to violate it. Pity there isn't anyone in the justice system who will plant his corrupt ass in jail.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Based on what is quoted in the thread, the voter is required to confirm that the ID information is recorded correctly. If not confirmed properly, invalid vote.

 

[Jaskalas]

The directive includes a form that puts the burden on the voter to correctly record the form of ID provided to election officials

WTF is that? Burn whoever thought of that.

 

[Rainsford]

Based on what is quoted in the thread, the voter is required to confirm that the ID information is recorded correctly. If not confirmed properly, invalid vote.

Yeah, my understanding is that it's moving the responsibility of doing so from the election worker to the voter.

As much as I think both sides are too quick to complain about voting issues, there doesn't seem to be a good reason to move the responsibility from a trained election worker to a voter likely unfamiliar with the form. Given all the other times John Husted has been in election news this year, I'd say his motives are at least suspect.

 

[Agent11]

Judge should throw the book at him.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

I can tell no one has actually taken the time to read the directive.

 

[Balt]

I can tell no one has actually taken the time to read the directive.

Enlighten us. Both on what the directive says and the justification for its implementation at the 11th hour.

 

[Bowfinger]

I can tell no one has actually taken the time to read the directive.

My guess is you haven't either and are just blowing smoke, trying gallantly to stand by your man. But, if you have read it, please enlighten us, and please share your link. In a quick Google search (before I posted), I saw a dozen or so news articles about this directive, but none that actually linked it.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

Go download it, I did.

Edited to include link for those who couldn't figure out where to look.

http://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/electionsofficials/Rules.aspx

 

[wetech]

http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/19315



Christ - what is this guy's problem?

the form in question came out in January 2012, and I'm assuming has not been thrown out in court if they're still using it. It (Form 12-B) asks for any of the following:
last 4 of SSN
Ohio Drivers License #
or check the box for the other form of valid ID that was provided

The directive doesn't say anything about verifying that the voter checked the correct box for the form of ID provided, only that something is checked. It even says that the voter has up to 10 days after the election to show up at the election office and provide a form of ID if they didn't have one to begin with.

The directive says to reject the ballot only if nothing is filled in or checked, AND the voter did not return to the election office to provide the info.

Looks like a non-story.

 

[FerrelGeek]

Dems are just upset that they can't use forged utility bills (or the like) as ID on provisional ballots so that they can vote multiple times.

Please move to Cook County, IL so you can keep voting even after you die.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

My guess is you haven't either and are just blowing smoke, trying gallantly to stand by your man. But, if you have read it, please enlighten us, and please share your link. In a quick Google search (before I posted), I saw a dozen or so news articles about this directive, but none that actually linked it.

So what's the verdict? Did I read the directive and understand that this faux outrage was just more Demoncratic BS rather than the evil Republicans trying to get votes discarded?????

 

[Londo_Jowo]

Enlighten us. Both on what the directive says and the justification for its implementation at the 11th hour.

Did you take the time to read the directive and enlighten yourself instead of asking someone else to do so?

 

[Incorruptible]

Dems are just upset that they can't use forged utility bills (or the like) as ID on provisional ballots so that they can vote multiple times.

Please move to Cook County, IL so you can keep voting even after you die.

This. I suspect that they want it to be easier to vote so illegals can vote for them

 

[HomerJS]

This. I suspect that they want it to be easier to vote so illegals can vote for them

That talking point has been thrown up so much it must be pretty runny.

Even when these voter harassment laws are contested in court, lawyers for the Republicans admit this will not stop in person voter fraud.

 

[wetech]

Dems are just upset that they can't use forged utility bills (or the like) as ID on provisional ballots so that they can vote multiple times.

Please move to Cook County, IL so you can keep voting even after you die.

utility bills are acceptable form of ID.