State Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Green Township) has introduced a bill that would significantly rewrite Ohio's election laws. HB 294 calls for prohibiting ballot drop boxes anywhere but at a local elections office, eliminating a day of early voting, shortening the window for requesting mail-in ballots and tightening voter ID requirements.
Democratic state legislators say the bill puts Ohio on a slippery slope toward voter suppression. There are some provisions in the bill that voting rights advocates have sought however, including an online absentee ballot request system. But advocates with All Voting is Local Ohio say the bill restricts access to the ballot and threatens to exclude minority, young and low-income voters.
Joining Cincinnati Edition to discuss HB 294 are State Representative Bill Seitz, a Republican Majority Floor Leader from House District 30; and All Voting is Local Ohio Campaign State Director Kayla Griffin.
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