Posted on 10/29/2006 8:41:38 PM PST by NormsRevenge
CINCINNATI - A federal appeals court on Sunday put on hold a decision that suspended Ohio's identification requirements for absentee voting, meaning voters applying for the early ballots must continue giving proof of their ID.
The ruling by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a request by State Attorney General Jim Petro to stay an order issued Thursday. That was when U.S. District Court Judge Algenon Marbley ruled on a lawsuit challenging Ohio's new law, which requires all voters to show proof of identification when casting a ballot.
"The attorney general is very pleased that he was successful in stopping the federal court from interfering in state election procedure," said Petro spokesman Mark Anthony.
"We want to make sure no voter is disenfranchised, so we want to work with the plaintiffs to identify ways we can guarantee a smooth election while, at the same time, protecting against voter fraud," Anthony said.
Subodh Chandra, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said he would appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
"This ruling creates even more chaos and confusion for voters and boards of election across Ohio," he said. "(Many) people who voted without a problem suddenly don't get to vote anymore; their votes won't be counted."
The circuit court said it would issue an opinion on its ruling but did not say when.
Chandra represents the Service Employees International Union Local 1199 and the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, which sued Secretary of State Ken Blackwell last week. Chandra argued that Ohio's 88 counties are using different requirements for acceptable identification, such as military identification, driver's licenses and Social Security cards.
Other forms of valid ID can include current utility bills, bank statements and government checks, but the law doesn't define "current," Chandra has said.
Blackwell, the Republican candidate for governor, did not want to challenge Marbley's decision, James Lee, a spokesman for the secretary of state's office, said last week. Petro, whose staff was representing Blackwell in court, went ahead anyway. A message seeking comment on the ruling was left for Lee Sunday night.
A federal judge in Cleveland this month struck down another new Ohio voting rule that required naturalized citizens to provide proof of citizenship if challenged by a poll worker.
I'm sensing a trend, here.
No kidding? Isn't this one of the industries that's chock full of illegals? One that could see its membership dry up if the US gets serious about stopping illegal immigration...?
U.S. District Court Judge Algenon Marbley - Clintoon appointment
>Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless
Aren't you suppose to have a mailing address to register to vote?
I am hopeful, too. The GOP GOTV is very, very effective. It's all about turnout.
Depends on the party you vote for in Ohio.
Yo, Norm!!!
This thread title should be bold, in a bigger font, all caps, and three... no, FIVE... exclamation marks at the end.
This is good news. We should be pleased, for a great injustice has been undone.
"U.S. District Court Judge Algenon Marbley - Clintoon appointment"
ping
ping
Ohio voter ID law suspended - 10/27/06
Yeah, those "many people who voted without a problem" would include the illegal aliens, convicted felons, and dead people - the dems' most reliable voters.
Thanks, it's in Breaking.
When will the federal courts admit they have no jurisdiction over state elections?
You forgot pets and small farm animals.
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