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Election Day is November 4th 2008
The League of Women Voters, a
non-partisan political organization, encourages informed
and active participation in government, works to
increase understanding of major public policy issues,
and influences public policy through education and
advocacy. Established in 1920, the state League supports
33 locally organized, volunteer-driven Leagues across
Ohio. The League and its sister organization the League
of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund, serve two
important, yet distinct purposes.
Complementing this, the League of Women Voters of Ohio
Education Fund (LWVOEF) conducts and funds research on
state issues and, in cooperation with local Leagues,
undertakes educational projects that are aimed at
providing information and educational services to
citizens.
Same Day Registration Supports Long Sought Goal of Civic
Engagement.
By Linda D.
Lalley, President, League of Women Voters of Ohio
Since 1981, Ohio
law has allowed voters to register and vote by absentee
ballot between the dates when absentee ballots are
available and when voter registration closes. This
provision was not disputed until the Legislature removed
qualifying reasons to vote absentee in an effort to
encourage greater participation on Ohio elections.
The League of Women
Voters of Ohio believes that all eligible voters are
entitled and obligated to engage in civic government
because decisions affect their lives. We should
consider it a positive occurrence in civic engagement
when a person who was previously disengaged or
disenfranchised takes the initiative to go to their
local board of elections office and register to vote.
If the goal is true engagement, it makes perfect sense
to allow that person to cast their ballot during that
short window. By their arrival, they have demonstrated
they care, are willing to perform their duty and are
likely informed.
There are
protections to address concerns about ineligible
voters. Any ballot that is cast by an ineligible voter
WILL NOT BE COUNTED. Only valid ballots cast by
eligible voters will be counted.
Voting is a hard
fought right that should be encouraged and enabled
rather than limited. The challenges of the 2000 and
2004 elections demonstrated that many citizens’ were
willing to endure long lines, rain and process
challenges in order to exercise their right to vote.
The Ohio General Assembly amended election laws with the
intention of improving the process and providing greater
access to eligible voters. This so-called “accidental
loophole” should be considered a benefit rather than
something to be feared as it creates the opportunity for
more citizens to engage.
Historically, we
have experienced far less than maximum participation in
elections. Therefore, we should be encouraged by the
possibility of more eligible voters partaking in the
process. LWVO is less concerned with a fear of
advantage than we are with a fear of insufficient
ballots, insecure or inoperable machines, inaccurate
vote tallies and insufficient information for voters.
The window for registration and absentee voting is an
option available to all citizens regardless of the
issues or candidates they choose to support. The
greater the level of participation, the closer we are to
the ideal of “by the people and for the people”.
Click the button below to donate to the League of Women
Voters of Ohio.
Click the
links below if you have problems or questions about
voting...
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IF
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