Rep. Kent Smith, Democrats stand with Ohioans, oppose anti-voter resolution on House floor

State Rep. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) joined Democrats in opposing a Republican resolution that would urge Congress not to pass HR 1, the For the People Act, federal pro-voter legislation that would protect the freedom to vote, prevent billionaires from buying influence in elections, and make sure voting options are equally accessible across all 50 states.

“It is important to remember what a House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) is as we look at today's vote on HCR 5. An HCR is essentially just an exercise of opinion. It's not legislation, it's the nonbinding, personal view of the Ohio House of Representatives. What we saw today was the Republicans in the Ohio House saying that voting rights should be eroded, not protected.

“The major goals of HR 1 are to expand voting rights, change campaign finance laws to reduce the influence of money in politics, limit partisan gerrymandering and create new ethics rules for federal officeholders. HR 1 requires that Presidential candidates release their tax returns, just like HB 475, legislation I introduced in the prior General Assembly. 

“I am deeply disappointed that my GOP colleagues, today, voiced their collective opposition to these foundational principles. My vote against HCR 5 was a vote in support of strengthening our elections,” said Rep. Kent Smith.

The For the People Act contains a number pro-voter measures already working in states across the country, like same-day registration, automatic voter registration unless the voter opts out, expanded vote by mail, and accessible online voter registration. Democrats say these options would deliver safe and accessible elections and include more of us in making our voices heard.

House Democrats in Ohio have introduced a number of pro-voter bills in recent years, including legislation to expand access to secure ballot drop boxes, urge passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, create true automated voter registration, provide voters with paid return postage for mail ballots, and create a safe and accessible online system to request mail ballots, allow more than one early vote center per county and allow ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted.

In contrast, Republicans across the country have introduced over 350 bills restricting the right to vote this year, including in Ohio, where Republicans have pushed back against pro-voter policies and introduced House Bill 294, an anti-voter bill that would roll back ballot access and intentionally make the process more confusing for voters.