Legislature Approves Tougher Voting Requirements

Majority Republicans in the Ohio Senate have approved two bills affecting voter and ballot rules. One would eliminate the so-called "Golden Week," during which voters may both register and cast an early ballot.  The second adds birth date and current address lines to provisional ballot applications and clarifies other Election Day procedures that have long been the subject of litigation. Ohio House Republicans have approved another measure backers say would provide added flexibility and cut costs at county boards of election. Minority Democrats in the legislature say the measures add unnecessary hurdles to voting.