Supreme Court Clears Ohio Voter Roll Purges

Statements Common Cause

“Every American deserves the chance to make their voice heard in our elections without fear of election officials targeting them because of their voting history,” said Common Cause president Karen Hobert Flynn. “But regardless of how the Court dressed up today’s ruling, the narrow majority just took another hostile step against the right to vote. The laws in most states are more protective of infrequent voters than the one the Court approved in Ohio. Still, many partisan officials are doubtless already studying this morning’s decision as a blueprint for disenfranchising political opponents. And we are prepared to fight back against further erosions to the right to vote.

“The Husted decision joins a sad lineup of decisions from the Roberts Court – from Citizens United to Shelby County – that have done incredible damage to our democracy, by stripping protections from marginalized communities and vastly increasing the political power of the few at the expense of the of those who are severely underrepresented,“ Flynn added. “History will not look kindly on this decision’s majority.”

“Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy” said Catherine Turcer, executive director of Common Cause Ohio.  “This case highlights the importance of all Ohio voters being proactive and taking time to verify that they are in fact on the voter rolls. Voters can confirm that they are properly registered which is essential for their vote to count at MyOhiovote.com or by calling their local board of elections.”

To read the brief Common Cause filed in the case, click here.