Ohio Senate Democrats called for the resignation of Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell last week, charging Blackwell with creating election confusion for voters and for allowing partisan sentiments to influence his election directives.
According to the Help America Vote Act and Ohio Revised Code, a voter can cast a provisional ballot if his or her name does not appear on the official list of eligible voters at a polling place.
Blackwell issued a directive last month, in accordance with Ohio law, ordering provisional ballots to be counted only if voters report to the precinct they currently live in, said James Lee, Blackwell's spokesman.
Democratic leaders believe people should have the right to choose to vote using provisional ballots at any precinct in their county, and that each county's board of elections should administer those ballots, said Melinda White, spokeswoman for the Democratic caucus in the Ohio Senate.
Blackwell dismissed the Democrats' accusations and said they were attempts to create election chaos as November draws near, Lee said.
Those trying to pervert the election with partisanship do a disservice to everyone in the state
he said.
The charges stem from how Blackwell, a Republican, enacted the provisions of the Help America Vote Act, which was passed by Congress in response to voting problems in Florida during the 2000 presidential election.
The whole purpose of provisional voting is to make it easier to vote. (Blackwell is) making it more restrictive White said. We're very concerned Ohio will be the next Florida in this election.
Blackwell's new directives would disenfranchise particular groups of voters important to the Democratic Party, such as minorities and young voters, she said. White cited Blackwell's role as principal spokesperson for the Bush/Cheney campaign during the Florida recount in 2000 and his support of the gay marriage ban as signs that his partisanship makes him unfit to ensure that this year's election runs smoothly.
Terry Anderson's campaign spokeswoman, Mariel Betancourt, said Blackwell's rulings are causing the chaos, not the Democrats' charges.
He's using his powers to benefit the Republican Party she said. And we agree he should resign.
Rep. Jimmy Stewart, R-Athens, said he was not aware of the Democrats' resignation call, but that the theme sounded familiar.
Just sounds like they're playing partisan politics
he said.
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