County election boards in Ohio, a closely contested swing state, are evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. It is important that the election boards support equal, uniform access to voting opportunities across the State.

Support giving registered voters equal opportunity to exercise their right to vote. Publicly support uniform, expanded early voting hours across Ohio. We need to protect our voting rights so that they are not taken from us. Ohio Secretary of State has personally restricted early voting in counties with large Democratic populations-casting tie breaking votes to weekdays 8am to 5 pm in urban areas like Franklin County, where in previous elections 82% of early voters did so on nights or weekends. Now Secretary of State Husted said he is considering limiting ealry voting hours across the state in the run-up to the November election, and will "be listening to the local boards of elections' concerns on this issue."

I believe that all counties in Ohio should have open and expanded hours for voting in evenings and on weekends so that those Ohioans who cannot get to the polls on election day can trust that their votes for the candidates of their choice will be counted. We cannot have a situation like the one that disenfranchised those voters who stood in the rain on election day of 2004 and could not get into the polls before they closed. The situation of depriving voters in specific counties their right to the same voting opportunities as those in "red" counties is un-American. This is reminiscent of the situation in Germany under the Nazis. This is America, where the Voting Rights Act is affords all Americans the same opportunities in the exercize of their rights to vote. The Republicans are showing their lack of confidence in their candidate and have resorted to voter suppression to get votes for their candidate. Officials in Pennsylvania have even admitted that their policies on voter suppression will "get the job DONE in favor of Romney".

For months, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted has personally acted to restrict early voting in counties with large Democratic populations—casting tie-breaking votes to limit voting to weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in urban areas like Franklin County, where in previous elections 82% of early voters did so on nights or weekends. Now, Secretary of State Husted said he is considering limiting early voting hours across the state in the run-up to the November election, and will "be listening to local boards of elections' concerns on this issue. We believe this is a violation of the rights of voters who are not able to comply with this voting window.

The Secretay of State in Ohio is threatening to curtail early and expanded voting to the citizens of Richland County. This will lead to low voter turnout because of the restricted hours available to vote.

For months, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted has personally acted to restrict early voting in counties with large Democratic populations—casting tie-breaking votes to limit voting to weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in urban areas like Franklin County,1 where in previous elections 82% of early voters did so on nights or weekends.2 Now, Secretary of State Husted said he is considering limiting early voting hours across the state in the run-up to the November election, and will "be listening to local boards of elections' concerns on this issue."3 1. "Jon Husted doesn't rule out limiting early voting throughout Ohio," Cleveland Plain Dealer, Aug 14, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=278941&id=48892-4564828-nRET8wx&t=5 2. "Ohio Early Voting Cutbacks Disenfranchise Minority Voters," The Nation, Aug 8, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=278942&id=48892-4564828-nRET8wx&t=6 3. "Jon Husted doesn't rule out limiting early voting throughout Ohio," Cleveland Plain Dealer, Aug 14, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=278941&id=48892-4564828-nRET8wx&t=7

I'm concerned that early voting hours are being restricted to weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Many work during those hours, and choose to vote before or after work -- or even on weekends. Voting is a basic right in our country, and should not be restricted. I am petitioning the Board of Elections to make voting as accessible as possible.

Support uniform, expanded early voting hours across Ohio

After many years of being on a wait list to participate in a program for disabled adults in Casselberry,FL my son is already 30 years old and out of the list because we had a family emergency and left the state for two years. I think our disabled citizens deserve more respect from our government which say there are no funds for more adult programs in Central Florida. I think it is not fair to our growing community of disabled adults in the state of Florida.

Any and all states that change voting times, or locations for any major group, would lose all federal highway funds.

In recent weeks and months, we are hearing more and more states are making it exceedingly difficult for registered voters to be permitted to vote in the November presidential election. Some states, such as Pennsylvania, have come right out and said the purpose was to ensure the election of Mitt Romney (although the stated reason for their actions was to prevent voter fraud.

On Sunday, August 5, an act of terror was perpetrated in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. This act of terror, of violence, and of hate was perpetrated not only against the Sikh-American community, but against America itself, and against all those Americans who are somehow perceived as “different,” whether based upon their race, their religion, their national origin, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic. Six individuals were killed in cold blood, and four others wounded. They had only come to pray–to worship in a place they felt safe. Many Americans, regardless of background, no longer feel safe. If such a heinous act could happen at the Oak Creek Gurdwara, could it not happen anywhere else?