KEEPING VOTING ACCESSIBLE

TAKING ACTION:

T H E O F F IC E OF S T A T E SEN A T O R N IN A T U R N E R

I. INTRODUCTION
There has never been a more important time to care about your right to vote. From the beginning of 2011 through the 2012 presidential election, as many as 180 From 2011 to restrictive voting bills were introduced across the country, and 25 of them became law in advance of 2012, state lawmakers the election. In 2012, the Supreme Court struck introduced 180 down the preclearance criteria in the Voting restrictive voting bills Rights Act of 1965, effectively preventing the U.S. across the country Department of Justice from preemptively intervening to prevent voter disenfranchisement. But in spite of these efforts, a record number of voters turned out in the fall to practice their right to participate in their democracy. Even so, those bound and determined to limit access have not given up. In 2013 alone, 92 restrictive elections bills were introduced in 33 statesnine of which have passed. In Ohio, backers of voter restrictions have rethought their strategy since the failure of HB 194 in 2012, and are now pursuing new electoral restrictions piece by piece in an attempt to make it harder for advocates to fight back. Ballot acces has consistentlyeven if slowlyexpanded since our nations founding. But this progress was not inevitable, or without periodic steps in the wrong direction. With each new generation comes a new effort to reshape the electorate by those who fear what voters have to say, and it is now up to us to ensure that all Americans have a fair and equal say in their government. In 2013 alone, 92 This guide is meant as a resource to all of those who care about voting rights and ballot access in Ohio. In order to prevent electoral restrictions from becoming a reality in our state, the efforts of politicians and established advocacy groups will not be enough. Success will require every Ohioan to speak up and take action.

restrictive elections bills have been introduced in 33 states

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II.

LEARN THE ISSUES

The first step to effective advocacy is to know the issues; a process that can be daunting to even experienced public policy professionals. Thankfully, there are many excellent resources on voting laws and legislation. Stay up to date by following these organizations: The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law This non-partisan public policy group is home to a treasure trove of information on voting rights history, election legislation updates, and other useful resources. Visit their website at www.brennancenter.org or sign up for their voting newsletter at www.brennancenter.org/newsletters. The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Founded in 1963 with the aim of advancing equal justice through the rule of law, the Lawyers Committee has been central in the voting rights struggles of the past few years. Visit www.lawyerscommittee.org/projects/voting_rights information. for more

The Advancement Project A multi-racial civil rights organization focused on helping America realize the vision of an inclusive and just democracy, this organization is deeply involved in the effort to protect voters from disenfranchisement. Visit www.advancementproject.org/issues/voter-protection to find research and advocacy tools to help shape your argument against overly-restrictive election laws.

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Election Law @ Moritz Maintained by the faculty of The Ohio State Universitys Moritz College of Law, this blog is an essential resource for voting advocates in the state. Visit moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/index.php for legal briefs, court documents, and analysis of the latest election law developments in Ohio and across the nation. League of Women Voters of Ohio A non-partisan political education organization, the League advocates for good government and greater electoral access. The League is also very much involved in the crafting of election policy in Ohio. You can find more information at www.lwvohio.org. Ohio Common Cause Another non-partisan organization, Common Cause advocates for a more open and honest government, and for policies that empower citizens. Visit their website at http://tinyurl.com/commoncausevoting or sign up to their newsletter to stay up to date with some of the latest developments in Columbus. You can also track the status of Ohio legislation and gain access to policy analysis from the non-partisan Legislative Service Commission by visiting www.legislature.state.oh.us.

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III. ADVOCATE FOR ACCESS

The words we use when we talk about voting rights and elections policy are importanthow we craft the argument can determine whether or not it is successful. Thanks to the Advancement Projects 2012 publication, Talking About Voting, starting this conversation is easier than ever.

Voter Suppression
Old language: This law has the potential to suppress thousands of votes in the next election. New language: This law makes it harder for thousands of voters to participate in our democracy during the next election.

Electoral Integrity
Old language: Instances of voter fraud are almost non-existent, but the medias harping on the issue has given some politicians cover to push these laws through statehouse after statehouse. New language: Its important to protect the integrity of our nations voting system but its wrong for politicians to enact restrictive laws that make it harder for millions of Americans to vote.

Photo ID Laws
Old language: Photo ID is not necessarythere is no problem with inperson voter fraud. Besides, IDs will have no impact on people who vote improperly by mail. New language: Voter fraud is something some Americans are concerned about, but restrictive Voter ID laws dont fix the probleminstead, they

take away voting rights from millions of eligible voters who lack these IDs and make it harder for them to vote.

THE BOTTOM LINE Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and our elected leaders should be encouraging participation, not throwing up unnecessary hurdles.

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IV. CONTACT THE LEGISLATURE

One of the final steps of the advocacy process is contacting the appropriate state legislators. But to do this effectively, it helps to know a little bit about the journey a bill takes from its introduction through its enactment. Ohio House of Reps. 77 South High St. Floor # Columbus, OH 43215

Name of Rep.

1.

First, bills are introduced by their sponsors with any formal support from other members of his or her chamber in the form of cosponsors. The bill is then assigned to a committee, which in the case of elections legislation will almost always be the State Government Oversight & Reform Committee in the Senate, and the Policy & Legislative Oversight Committee in the House of Representatives. The membership of each is listed on the following pages. Once assigned, the committee chairperson decides when and how often the bill will be heard, and whether it will be put up for a vote in their committee. Be sure to contact them to find out when you can come speak to the bill. If the bill does pass out of committee, it may then be placed on the agenda for the full chamber, known as a floor vote. Whether this happens depends upon the wishes of the Rules committee in each chamber.

2.

3.

1 Capitol Square Senate Bldg., Room # Columbus, OH 43215

Name of Senator

4.

Remember, you should always start by contacting the senator or representative who represents you, which you can find online by visiting www.legislature.state.oh.us. If you would like to send a letter, use the address format on the right of this page. Nextdepending on where in the process the bill isyou should reach out to the relevant committee

Log onto www.legislature. state.oh.us to identify your senators & representatives

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members to voice your opinion on a particular piece of legislation.

Senate State Government Oversight & Reform Committee

David Burke (R), Chair (614) 466-8049 burke@ohiosenate.gov Shirley A. Smith (D), Ranking Member (614) 466-4857 smith@ohiosenate.gov Edna Brown (D) (614) 466-5204 brown@ohiosenate.gov Frank LaRose (R) (614) 466-4823 larose@ohiosenate.gov Bill Seitz (R) (614) 466-8068 seitz@ohiosenate.gov Chris Widener (R) (614) 466-3780 widener@ohiosenate.gov Joe Uecker (R), Vice Chair (614) 466-8082 uecker@ohiosenate.gov Kevin Bacon (R) (614) 466-8064 bacon@ohiosenate.gov Bill Coley (R) (614) 466-8072 coley@ohiosenate.gov Larry Obhof (R) (614) 466-7505 obhof@ohiosenate.gov Michael J. Skindell (D) (614) 466-5123 skindell@ohiosenate.gov

House Policy & Legislative Oversight Committee

Mike Dovilla (R), Chair (614) 466-4895 rep07@ohiohouse.gov Ronald V. Gerberry (D), Ranking Member (614) 466-6107 rep59@ohiohouse.gov Louis W. Blessing, III (R) (614) 466-9091 rep29@ohiohouse.gov Jim Buchy (R), Vice Chair (614) 466-6344 rep84@ohiohouse.gov John Adams (R) (614) 466-1507 rep85@ohiohouse.gov Andrew Brenner (R) (614) 644-6711 rep67@ohiohouse.gov
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Jack Cera (D) (614) 466-3735 rep96@ohiohouse.gov Michael F. Curtin (D) (614) 644-6005 rep17@ohiohouse.gov Matt Huffman (R) (614) 466-9624 rep04@ohiohouse.gov Rick Perales (R) (614) 644-6020 rep73@ohiohouse.gov

Kathleen Clyde (D) (614) 466-2004 rep75@ohiohouse.gov Teresa Fedor (D) (614) 644-6017 rep45@ohiohouse.gov Dorothy Pelanda (R) (614) 466-8147 rep86@ohiohouse.gov

Senate Rules Committee

Keith Faber (R), Chair (614) 466-7584 faber@ohiosenate.gov Joe Schiavoni (D), Ranking Member (614) 466-8285 schiavoni@ohiosenate.gov Dave Burke (R) (614) 466-8049 burke@ohiosenate.gov Lou Gentile (D) (614) 466-6508 gentile@ohiosenate.gov Larry Obhof (614) 466-7505 obhof@ohiosenate.gov Tom Patton (R) (614) 466-8056 patton@ohiosenate.gov Chris Widener (R), Vice Chair (614) 466-3780 widener@ohiosenate.gov Edna Brown (D) (614) 466-5204 brown@ohiosenate.gov Bill Coley (R) (614) 466-8072 coley@ohiosenate.gov Jim Hughes (R) (614) 466-5981 hughes@ohiosenate.gov Scott Oelslager (R) (614) 466-0626 oelslager@ohiosenate.gov Charleta B. Tavares (D) (614) 466-5131 tavares@ohiosenate.gov

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House Rules & Reference Committee

Matt Huffman (R), Chair (614) 466-9624 rep04@ohiohouse.gov Armond Budish (D), Ranking Member (614) 466-5441 rep08@ohiohouse.gov Mike Ashford (D) (614) 466-1401 rep44@ohiohouse.gov Jim Buchy (R) (614) 466-6344 rep84@ohiohouse.gov Dorothy Pelanda (R) (614) 466-8147 pelanda@ohiohouse.gov Dan Ramos (D) (614) 466-5141 rep56@ohiohouse.gov William Batchelder (R), Vice Chair (614) 466-8140 rep69@ohiohouse.gov John Adams (R) (614) 466-1507 rep85@ohiohouse.gov Andrew Brenner (R) (614) 644-6711 rep67@ohiohouse.gov Stephanie Kunze (R) (614) 466-8012 kunze@ohiohouse.gov Debbie Phillips (D) (614) 466-2158 rep94@ohiohouse.gov

Committee memberships accurate as of January 2014, but are subject to change.

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614.466.4583 | TURNER@OHIOSENATE.GOV

SENATOR NINA TURNER 1 CAPITOL SQUARE | ROOM 223 COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215

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on twitter @senturner

and on scribd.com /senatorturner 9 | Taking Action