Much confusion has come up about voting rights in Ohio. Voting rules are almost the same as the last Presidential election in 2008 except the in person absentee voting the last weekend before the election is no longer available.

By JAMES W. WADE III
Staff Reporter

The November election is very important to everyone, no matter how you feel about any newly imposed laws. The mere fact that people fought for Blacks to have a right to vote should be something we hold dear to our hearts.

President Barack Obama made history four years ago being elected the first Black president of theUnited States. Using the social media to appeal to the youth, it’s already known that 2008 was the highest turn out in years for the youth who voted.

In his recent visits to Ohio, crowds have often been seen shouting, “Four more years, four more!” But the same great push to get him re elected seems not as strong as it was for his historic first election.

It’s important to know that your vote counts, the right to vote is one right we have by our Constitution. In a phone interview Congressman Jim Clyburn (D South Carolina 6^th District) said he’s troubled by the recent wave of conservative-backed voter suppression efforts, which he noted disproportionately impact young Americans and college students.

He shared with the Call & Post how voting rights advocates are fighting against laws requiring voters to show a photo id to go to the polls, which could disenfranchise millions of Americans in the November elections.

Last week Congresswoman Marcia Fudge was on the steps challenging Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted on taking away early voting. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections (BOE) is urging citizens who wish to Vote by Mail to register to vote, or update their existing voter information, as soon as possible.

The Ohio Secretary of State is preparing to send Vote by Mail applications to all Ohio registered voters. “In order to ensure that all voters get their Vote by Mail application we urge them to register or update their registration,” said Jane Platten, Director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

“Voters who have moved or changed their name must update their voter registration records so the Vote by Mail application will go to the new address and include their correct name,” said Platten.

Some in congress have shared that the Republicans are doing all they can to stop the Blacks from voting. Just recently President Barack Obama filed a lawsuit againstOhio’s election officials over the swing state law that restricts early voting for the three days leading to the election.

The suit is because Husted became the deciding factor when the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Board became deadlocked on whether they should open board offices on the last two Saturdays and Sundays in October for voting.

It was clear that the two Democrats Inajo Chappell and Sandy McNair were in agreeance. with this past practice, but Republicans Jeff Hastings and Deborah Sutherland did not feel the extended hours were necessary.

If you go to various grocery stores, malls you will see people out there trying to get you to sign up to vote. Voter registration is very important to anyone who plans on voting in the November election.

Much confusion has come up about voting rights inOhio. Voting rules are almost the same as the last Presidential election in 2008 except the in person absentee voting the last weekend before the election is no longer available.

Starting October 2, you can request an absentee ballot from the board of elections. Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 5 or delivered in person to the BOE by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 6. Clergy are still going to encourage their congregations to vote even if they have to get buses again to get them to the polls. September 25, has been deemed National Voter Registration Day and there will be a big push to get more people ready and registered to vote.

There will be a mailing going out closer to the election, but election officials are urging voters not to take chances if they wish to Vote by Mail. Voter Registration Cards are available on the Board of Elections website: www.boe.cuyahogacounty.us, or by calling the board of Elections at (216) 443-3298. Voter Registration cards are also available at all libraries.