PFAW Says Blackwell Is At it Again; Urges Support for Drive to Fight Voter Suppression in Ohio 2006

Important memo from People for the American Way (PFAW):

If you want to protect voting rights and share our outrage at the Ohio Secretary of State’s tactics, please show your support with a secure online contribution.

Make a contribution of $25, $50, or more to end voter suppression tactics in Ohio.
--Sharon J. Lettman

Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell is at it again, making voting – and registering to vote – as difficult as possible for some Ohioans. But People For the American Way Foundation is undaunted, as we fight to put an end to unreasonable obstacles to voting and continue to register voters in disenfranchised communities, despite the enormous hurdles.

Help us save the 2006 election in Ohio before it’s too late. By making a secure online contribution today, you can help us give a voice to the same communities Secretary of State Blackwell’s policies hurt. Your donation will go toward our efforts both to end Blackwell’s restrictions and to register thousands of Ohio voters, even in the face of increased hardship and cost.

Click here to make a contribution of $25, $50, or more to end voter suppression tactics in Ohio.

In 2004, Sec. of State Blackwell’s early attempts at voter suppression were evident when he tried to require that voter registration forms only be counted if turned in on special paper that no one uses, after thousands of new voters had already been registered on normal paper. Public outrage and pressure – including from thousands of PFAW Foundation activists – forced that requirement to be withdrawn, but severe restrictions by Blackwell and others on the counting of provisional ballots and misallocation of election equipment disenfranchised thousands of mostly poor, African American and young voters on Election Day.

Now, in 2006, the Secretary of State is making it extremely difficult for pro-voter groups like People For the American Way Foundation to register citizens in those communities, by imposing burdensome restrictions that we’re fighting on every level – in court, at the grassroots and in coordination with local election officials. And as we fight to break down the barriers, we’re intent on defying the odds and registering tens of thousands of African American voters through our Victory Through Voting program in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati.

And it doesn’t stop at voter registration. Blackwell has also circulated a misleading description of Ohio’s voter identification requirements to county election officials, causing confusion that will ultimately result in eligible voters being turned away from the ballot box. In response, People For the American Way is pressuring the Secretary of State’s office to end the misinformation and educate county election officials about the actual voter ID requirements under Ohio law.

We only have a few short months to stop these attempts at disenfranchisement before they succeed. If you want to protect voting rights and share our outrage at these tactics, please show your support with a secure online contribution.

Click here to make a contribution of $25, $50, or more to end voter suppression tactics in Ohio.

You have the power to help give thousands of Ohioans a say in who governs them and the policies that affect them – a voice they might not otherwise have without your help. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Sharon J. Lettman
Vice President for External Affairs and Director of Election Protection 365
People For the American Way Foundation