Supreme Court lets Ohio limit early voting

quote:

---

Acting on a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court issued an order Monday afternoon that allows Ohio officials to cut early voting in the state by a week.

In a one-page order (posted here), the court's five Republican-appointed justices agreed to lift a District Court judge's ruling that had blocked the state from carrying out legislation that cut early voting days from 35 to 28.

The four Democratic-appointed justices dissented, but none of the justices explained their positions.

Ohio officials welcomed the order, while those who had challenged the cutback in early voting time expressed disappointment.

"We are gratified the United States Supreme Court has allowed Ohio’s early voting law to stand," Secretary of State Jon Husted said in a statement.

“I plan to implement state law and the voting schedule established by Democrats and Republicans at the local level, meaning Ohioans will have 28 days of early voting, including two Saturdays and a Sunday. Ohioans can have confidence that it remains easy to vote and hard to cheat in our state," the Republican official said.

"We are disappointed that by a bare majority, the Supreme Court reinstated controversial voting changes that could make it harder for tens of thousands of Ohioans to vote," said Wendy Weiser of the Brennan Center for Justice. "Courts should serve as a bulwark against rollbacks to voting rights and prevent politicians from disenfranchising voters for political reasons."

Earlier this month, U.S. District Court Judge Peter Economus blocked the cut in early voting days, saying it was likely to have a disproportionate impact on African-American voters. Economus, a Clinton appointee, sits in Columbus.

---