COLUMBUS (AP) — A voting-rights coalition is vowing to fight on after Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued his second rejection of its petition language for a proposed constitutional amendment.
The Republican on Thursday found the title of the “Ohio Voters Bill of Rights” was “highly misleading and misrepresentative.”
That’s even as he acknowledged that his office had previously certified identical language.
Yost said the Ohio Supreme Court recently expanded his authority regarding petition headings.
Members of the voting rights coalition, which includes the NAACP, the Ohio Unity Coalition, the A. Philip Randolph Institute and the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, said they dutifully addressed his objections.
The Ohio Voters Bill of Rights calls for enshrining the right for all Ohioans to vote safely and securely in the state constitution. That includes automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration and expanded early voting options and locations.
The push for the amendment follows Ohio’s enactment last year of sweeping new election restrictions, including a strict photo ID requirement and shortened windows after Election Day for returning and curing ballots.