HB 294 is Trojan Horse for Voters

The Ohio legislature is rolling out a Trojan Horse for voting rights… Let us explain:

 https://actionnetwork.org/letters/hb-294-is-trojan-horse-for-voters?fbclid=IwAR07Lp_0t5lzqw7S7_cbV-laG4C1JSVeF4T6knDEgjFsWmNl8dZDoG0Hb_g

After conducting one of the most secure elections in Ohio's history in 2020, the state legislature just introduced HB 294, a voting reform bill that adds some potentially good provisions, including automatic voter registration and online absentee ballot requests.

But the bill also includes a host of anti-voter provisions like limiting access to ballot drop boxes, imposing confusing voter-ID requirements, cancelling early voting the Monday before Election Day, and shortening the absentee ballot request period, to name a few.

By using a few common-sense reforms as cover, the legislature is setting a trap for Ohio voters. Even though HB 294 includes some common-sense updates, Ohio voters shouldn’t be fooled into supporting this bill. At the end of the day, the bill restricts our freedom to vote by limiting dropboxes, cutting the time to request absentee ballots by a full week, and imposing confusing ID rules that create unnecessary red tape for election officials and long lines for voters.

If we unite our voices and hold our leaders accountable, we can keep the good and throw out the bad in this bill.

On behalf of the Steering Committee for the Ohio Voter Rights Coalition, thank you for taking action!

- All Voting is Local Ohio, Common Cause Ohio, Leauge of Women Voters of Ohio, and Ohio Voice