Promoting Life and Protecting Armed Forces Voting Rights

Ohio Right to Life Pursuing Legislation to Protect Service Members' Right to Vote

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Ohio Right to Life Society has teamed today with legislative leaders to remove voting obstructions currently placed on Ohio residents serving in the National Guard and their dependents.

Passage of this legislation, initiated by the Ohio Right to Life, would remove obstructions and regulatory impediments that inhibit service members' ability to vote. Current state law places extensive restrictions and requirements on members of the military not required of other citizens.

"I am proud to support the passage of this legislation which removes unnecessary restrictions and will streamline the burdensome process the men and women in our National Gaurd now experience when attempting to vote," said Rep. William Batchelder (R-Medina). "As we pause to remember during this Memorial Day the ultimate sacrifice so many men and women gave to our county, it is our solemn responsibility to ensure that each and every current member of Ohio's military will be able to vote and have their vote counted this November and beyond."

Additionally, those deployed overseas face challenges and regulations that can cause absentee ballots to be disproportionately disqualified. This legislation requires lists of all Ohioans who are or will be serving outside of the state on Election Day to be given to the secretary of state no later than 120 days before an election. The proposed legislation establishes and ensures a process in which Ohio military members receive their absentee ballots no later than 60 days prior to an election. Further, the legislation would allow for military absentee ballots to be returned using secured electronic mail.

The Ohio Right to Life Society is dedicated to promoting life throughout the state through legislative action and citizen activism. With this legislation, Ohio Right to Life is also protecting the voting rights of military personnel stationed outside of Ohio and overseas.

"Ohio Right to Life Society believes that it is imperative not only for our pro-life military personnel, but all members, regardless of ideology, to have the same right to vote as every other Ohioan," said Mike Gonidakis, executive director of the Ohio Right to Life Society. "Having these restrictions placed on the brave men and women serving to protect our constitutional rights is an injustice. Something had to be done, and we look forward to working with the Ohio legislature to address this problem and to support our troops."

Source: Ohio Right to Life Society

CONTACT: Mike Gonidakis, Ohio Right to Life Society, +1-614-565-5522

2008-05-22 18:22:06 0369372 PRNEWSWIRE