House Democratic Caucus asks Kasich to veto student-voting barrier in transportation budget
The Ohio House Democratic Caucus today sent a letter to Gov. John Kasich asking him to veto a provision in the state’s transportation budget that would make it harder for students to vote in Ohio.
The provision will require anyone who registers to vote in Ohio to surrender their driver’s license if it is from another state, obtain an Ohio driver’s license and register their vehicle with the state. Failure to do so within 30 days results in a criminal offense.
Students and lawmakers have estimated that this imposes a cost of about $75 to $100 for out-of-state American students to vote for local issues and candidates that carry quality of life consequences for students and the communities in which they live.
The Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus sent a similar request to the governor following Wednesday’s Senate vote.
A copy of the letter is available below:
March 27, 2015
Dear Governor Kasich,
We write to ask you to use your executive authority to veto the provision tying voter registration to motor vehicle residency in Substitute House Bill 53. After careful review of this provision, we believe it is contrary to the best interests of Ohioans, specifically students attending college from out of state. The Senate amended version contains a provision requiring those who register to vote to also obtain state driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations.
This provision targets out-of-state students who attend Ohio’s colleges and universities, requiring them to jump through a number of hoops and pay unnecessary fees to participate in Ohio elections—or face fines and a criminal record.
This amendment forces students to pay $75 or more in order to register to vote in Ohio. The U.S. Constitution guarantees certain fundamental rights to all citizens including the right to travel and the right to vote. The 1979 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Symm v. United States largely settled the right of college students to vote where they reside, including their college address, without undue burden.
Students would undoubtedly find it harder to vote in Ohio under this provision. In a state where barely half of registered voters show up to the polls, we should be doing everything we can to increase voter turnout—not erecting barriers to student voters. This provision sends the wrong message to students coming to Ohio to attend our schools. Forcing students to pay the equivalent of two new textbooks or more simply to register to vote in local elections is unfair. Targeting students at the ballot box is the fastest way to ensure they leave Ohio after graduation.
This provision does not belong in a budget bill. It does not belong in any bill. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits voter intimidation such as using one’s voter registration status to target, investigate, prosecute and criminally punish anyone for unrelated matters. Vehicle registration and making students use dorm addresses on driver’s licenses should not be tied to voting in this way. Schools already provide proof of residence to every student in Ohio. Furthermore, The U.S. Census Department counts out-of-state students at their dorm addresses regardless of what their driver’s license reads, because residency for every purpose is not determined by one’s privilege to drive.
The hallmark of our voting system should be free, fair and open elections. With this provision, students taking the initiative to engage in the political process will be met with a system that is far from free—and certainly not fair. We ask that you veto this voting rights provision from Sub H.B. 53.
Sincerely,
Minority Leader Fred Strahorn
39th House District
Assistant Minority Leader Nicholas J. Celebrezze
15th House District
Minority Whip Kevin Boyce
25th House District
Assistant Minority Whip Nickie J. Antonio
13th House District
Rep. Michael Ashford
44th House District
Rep. Heather Bishoff
20th House District
Rep. Janine Boyd
9th House District
Rep. Jack Cera
96th House District
Rep. Kathleen Clyde
75th House District
Rep. Hearcel Craig
26th House District
Rep. Michael F. Curtin
17th House District
Rep. Denise Driehaus
31st House District
Rep. Teresa Fedor
45th House District
Rep. Ronald V. Gerberry
59th House District
Rep. Stephanie Howse
11th House District
Rep. Greta Johnson
35th House District
Rep. Christie Kuhns
32nd House District
Rep. David Leland
22nd House District
Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan
58th House District
Rep. Michael O’Brien
64th House District
Rep. Sean J. O’Brien
63rd House District
Rep. John Patterson
99th House District
Rep. Debbie Phillips
94th House District
Rep. Dan Ramos
56th House District
Rep. Alicia Reece
33rd House District
Rep. John Rogers
60th House District
Rep. Michael P. Sheehy
46th House District
Rep. Stephen D. Slesnick
49th House District
Rep. Kent Smith
8th House District
Rep. Michael Stinziano
18th House District
Rep. Martin J. Sweeney
14th House District
Rep. Emilia Sykes
34th House District