Federal hearing on civil rights to be held in cleveland monday

HispanicOhio.com staff

United States Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) will hold an official hearing of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights in Cleveland on Monday examining the impact of Ohio’s new voting law, H.B. 194, which shortens early voting and eliminates the requirement that poll workers direct voters to the proper precinct. U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Warrensville) will provide testimony; additional witnesses will be announced at a later date.

Ohio’s new law reduces the number of early voting days from 35 to 17, and eliminates voting on the weekend before an election and prohibits county boards of elections from mailing unsolicited absentee ballots.

H.B. 194 will be subject to a ballot repeal measure in November.

More than 30 states have new or pending changes to current voting laws. States seeking to change their laws have passed or proposed provisions that reduce the number of early voting days require voters to show specific forms of photo identification before voting reduce the amount of help poll workers can give, and alters the way volunteer organizations can register new voters. Supporters of these the proposed laws argue they will reduce the risk of voter fraud, however those against the law say it against voter rights laws.

The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. at the Carl B. Stokes federal courthouse, 801 W. Superior Avenue, all are encouraged to attend.