News
Three Judge Panel Rules Against “Golden Week” Voting
By: Karen Kasler | Statehouse News Bureau
Posted on:
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A panel of three federal judges has shot down the week where first-time voters can register and cast ballots at the same time. That sets the first day of early voting this fall after the last day of voter registration.
The decision overturns a previous federal judge, who said the Republican-backed bill eliminating the so-called Golden Week by shortening early voting was unconstitutional.
Two of the three judges in this ruling said a 29 day voting period – minus the Golden Week – is quite generous. Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted is pleased with the win.
“That’s plenty of time to vote” he said. “This is not a new – this is a circular argument that’s been going on for nearly a decade in Ohio.”
The two judges in the majority opinion were appointed by Republican president George W. Bush – the one who dissented was appointed by Democratic president Barack Obama.
The lawsuit was filed by Democratic organizations, which can appeal to the full Sixth Circuit court or to the U.S. Supreme Court.