A federal appeals court has blocked the state of Ohio from cutting off its early voting hours. In August, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted (Republican), cut off early voting the weekend before the election.
Because black churches encourage their congregants to vote after services the Sunday before Election Day, Husted’s move would have disproportionately affected black voters. The new rule would have allowed military voters to cast their ballots in person through the weekend—but not any others.
Ohio’s 2004 election process was the source of national ridicule. Long lines forced many people to make a choice between voting and going to work on time, or voting and picking up their children on time from school or daycare. Machines broke down, causing already long lines to be still for hours at a time.
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