Republicans in Ohio Suppressing Early Voters

As reported in an article by Barb Carmen in the Columbus Dispatch this morning, Michael E. Colley and Douglas J. Preisse (pictured left), Republican members of the Franklin County Ohio election board are attempting to suppress the rights of citizens to early vote. Most of these citizens appear to be from the minority community.

Because of the popularity of early voting and the overwhelming turnout, William A. Anthony Jr. and Kimberly E. Marinello, the board's Democratic members, want to simply extend the early voting centers hours this Sunday. Seems simple enough.

However with no real valid rational or reasonable explanation, Colley and Preisse are declining to go along with the plan. Instead they skipped a vote on the matter (that's real brave) and then they issued a statement stating that poll workers might be exhausted. Apparently as board members they did not realize that the polling place is only open for 4 hours on Sunday and that the workers are seasonal and looking for extra work. It is doubtful they will be that exhausted after four hours of work and a few hours more work would be welcome for a seasonal worker.

The lines have been long in Franklin county for early voting, stretching for two and half to three hours recently. It has been a very diverse crowd and from observations very heavy in the minority communities.

Thus it is no wonder that Colley and Preisse, would want to supress the voter turnout in Franklin county. It is obvious what they fear and this time their tactics and motives are being well documented and followed.

When the dust has settled on this election, the Republican party would be well served to rid itself of such ilk from its ranks. The Republican party just like the rest of American is dire need of new leadership.

Read the Dispatch article here....