Last-Minute Ohio Directive Could Trash Legal Votes

Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Kettering, answers questions during the Associated Press Legislative and Elections Preview Seminar Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Think Progress:

A last-minute directive issued by Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted could invalidate legal provisional ballots. Ohio is widely viewed as the most critical state for both presidential campaigns and — with some polls showing a close race — the 11th-hour move could swing the entire election.

Read the whole story at Think Progress

Comments

[l78lancer]

06:56 PM on 11/04/2012

Republicans love the idea of elections being handled at the state level, and they cry "states rights" even when they get caught doing wrong. That's why serious consideration should be given to federalizing all voting to standardize the policies, processes and methods of elections. It's not a states rights issue. It's a civil rights issue. Who cares about states rights of the rights of free people get trampled?

Civil rights are federally guaranteed. So it doesn't matter if it's a state, local or federal election, no one should be disfranchised.

[l78lancer]

06:44 PM on 11/04/2012

When it's all said and done, Ohio will be in the dem column, but Husted will have martyred himself, his reputation and his career all for nought.

That's called boneheaded.

[RobbieB]

11:16 AM on 11/05/2012

Uh, not really. Mendacity is now considered an attribute by the GOP.

[l78lancer]

05:55 PM on 11/05/2012

It is a hallmark of the GOP, yet nothing stops mendacity from being stupid, particularly in a failed and unnecessary efforts.

[ResearchGirl]

01:15 AM on 11/06/2012

Unless Ohio's voters impeach him or prosecute him for misfeasance nothing will happen to him. Alas. But it's possible that enough Ohioans will appreciate that Husted's directive and his other actions have been so egregious that his impeachment is warranted. He's a shame to our entire country.

[l78lancer]

01:50 AM on 11/06/2012

Well ResearchGirl, I do hope that they initiate that process against him. He has violated the trust of at least half of the residents of the state, that is if he didn't break any laws directly.

Fanned and thanks for the comment.

[Tamlee]

06:41 PM on 11/04/2012

OMGosh!
It just never ends - between Romney's family interest in the voter machines and now this - wow!
I hope they stop this guy! he should be arrested - What will they think of next?
Wrong on so many levels!
Obama/Biden 2012

[l78lancer]

06:41 PM on 11/04/2012

Husted is so determined and defiant, he has passed the point of recklessness a long time ago. It's unimaginable that someone actually wants their claim to fame and their place in history to be akin to Katherine Harris' - one of the people who bastardized a presidential election and disfranchised thousands simply for the purpose of winning.

[AngrymanT]

06:26 PM on 11/04/2012

Is this what the mean when they want to promote Democracy around the world? Seriously!? This is America, or is it?

[oscartucker]

04:26 PM on 11/04/2012

Someone asked how can this guy sleep at night. He doesn't sleep; he's busy trying to come up with every possible way to deny Ohioans their right to vote. This is sickening, and so is the plan of the gov of Fla. They know EXACTLY what they are doing. VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! I hope people stand in line for as long as it takes.

[whyworry]

04:24 PM on 11/04/2012

He even looks dishonest.

[RG41]

04:23 PM on 11/04/2012

I think that the Republicans are up to something, this is NOT all they are trying to pull. I hope that all of this is being monitored because I think they are going to try and steal illegally not just Ohio but other states also.

Obama 2012

[KenInd]

04:13 PM on 11/04/2012

'Whenever the ends of government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and all other means of redress are ineffectual, the people may, and of right ought to reform the old, or establish a new government. The doctrine of nonresistance against arbitrary power, and oppression, is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind.'

-NH State Constitition

[Elkanah]

04:11 PM on 11/04/2012

It is just like the code of big business. Use any means possible to overcome the competition. It doesn't have to be fair or legit.

Winning is the name of the game.

[Elkanah]

04:08 PM on 11/04/2012

They know they are losing so there are no holds barred. At least there are still some citizens willing to hold their feet to the fire.

[BoycottFox2]

04:06 PM on 11/04/2012

Voting really makes Republicans upset.

[l78lancer]

06:47 PM on 11/04/2012

Anyone other than republicans voting makes republicans upset.

[Rondo]

04:05 PM on 11/04/2012

Red States continue to exceed and exploit the authority granted them by the US Constitution

We don't need politicized Secretary of State Offices to patronize the people's (as we are not children) vote.

[swan1]

04:00 PM on 11/04/2012

Eric Holder , get on this. Mitt will do , say, and pay anything to win.

[MidwestMomma]

03:52 PM on 11/04/2012

Really Ohio? Are you going to let them get by with this? Well, Are you?

[Aries Warrior]

04:17 PM on 11/04/2012

why is there always voting problems in Ohio ?...what it their problem ?