It seems that a wonderful opportunity for voter registration has presented itself in Ohio. If we don't take advantage, I'm sure the Republicans will. Beginning September 30, 2008, Ohioans can vote early by absentee ballot without providing a justification. Voter registration for the 2008 election ends on October 6, 2008, thirty days prior to Election Day. The early voting period and the registration period overlap by seven days. This means that unregistered voters can register to vote, then ask for an absentee ballot and vote on the same day. 9/30 is a Tuesday, 10/6 is a Monday. That gives us five working days to drag as many unregistered voters down to the courthouse.
These procedures are being challenged by the GOP, but if they hold up in court, a well organized crew in each county could really make a difference!
Amy Merrick, in Saturdays Wall Street Journal has more details in an article entitled:
Ohio Republicans Use Lawsuit to Fight for State's Crucial Votes
By AMY MERRICK September 13, 2008 Link: Wall Street Journal
Please Amy Reddicks story as it contains good information about "Caging," vote suppression and voter registration in Ohio and other states.
From WSJ:
Advocates for the homeless and other groups say they will direct new voters to take advantage of the overlap between early voting, which begins Sept. 30, and voter registration, which ends Oct. 6. During that window, citizens can register and vote simultaneously.
It is the position of Ohio Secretary of State that early ballots do not constitute votes until they are tabulated on Nov. 4th. The Republicans say that the law requires that new voters must register at least 30 days prior to submitting the ballot.
The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, a Cleveland-based umbrella group for service providers, housing activists and others, is making plans to drive about 2,000 shelter residents to polling places during the overlap period.
-WSJ
Republican officials are furious, charging that the one-stop process will encourage voter fraud.
-WSJ
How can we pass up an opportunity to make Republicans furious?
The Republicans will stop at nothing to win Ohio. They know that a Democratic victory will mean an end to the corrupt Gravy Train,and send many to jail without passing "Go."
-WSJ
Kevin DeWine, deputy chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, said "nothing is off the table" in terms of election tactics, but he declined to be more specific.
Ohio was lost to the Republicans in 2004 by a margin of 118,601 votes in Ohio. We have a great opportunity now. Each new voter we can drag in to the registrar during the "Overlap" period is a vote we don't have to track down on Election Day. Where is that darn Community Organizer when you need one? If you are anywhere near Ohio, tell your boss that you will not be in Sept 30 - Oct 6th. We have an election to win!
GET TOGETHER WITH THE DEMOCRATS IN YOUR AREA AND.........
PSSSSST...........Do Something