Republicans and Democrats both claim to defend the integrity of the ballot in their battle over early and absentee voting in Ohio. Both are more interested in gaining partisan advantage in the 2012 presidential election. It's more important not to enact unneeded restrictions that make it harder for Ohioans to vote.
A new Republican-backed state law shortens the time in which Ohioans can cast early and absentee votes, prevents county boards of elections from mass- mailing absentee ballot applications, and eliminates the mandate that poll workers direct voters to the correct precinct table at election sites. It is set to take effect this month, unless opponents collect 231,000 petition signatures to place the law before voters in November, 2012, and to delay its provisions in the meantime.
Republicans say the law equalizes access to the ballot in Ohio's 88 counties, some of which can't afford to send an absentee ballot application to every voter. A better solution would be to provide funds to allow all county elections boards to provide the same level of voter service as in Lucas, Cuyahoga, and other counties.
Another provision in the new law reduces the early-voting period from 35 to 21 days before the election. That is no great hardship, and removes an unintended consequence that allowed people to register and vote on the same day. But it does not create ballot equity or prevent voter fraud, which is rare in any case.
It's hard to see how not requiring poll workers to direct voters to the correct precinct tables reinforces the principle of one person, one vote. Or how closing early-voting stations on Sundays and on the weekend before the election enhances ballot integrity.
Perfectly equal ballot access is a fantasy as long as some voters live closer to polling places, or must wait in line longer than others. Ballot access cannot be equal when some people can vote when they choose and others can't because they work three jobs, have small children to take care of, or lack transportation.
The new law makes it harder for certain people to vote, most likely poor and elderly voters, students, and people of color -- all of whom tend to support Democratic candidates.
So it's no accident Republicans find much to love in the law, while Democrats hate it. After Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted enforced the mass-mailing ban, Democratic Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald initially got the county council to circumvent the ban by paying for the mailing. Mr. Husted and Mr. FitzGerald later reached an agreement to defuse the conflict this year.
Nor is it an accident that President Obama's re-election campaign is working against the new law. In 2008, candidate Barack Obama did well in early voting in Ohio, a state he must win again if he wants a second term.
Politicians of both parties should work to attract voters, not disfranchise them. Ohio lawmakers need to revisit the new law and work to improve it. Otherwise, voters should get the opportunity to take matters into their own hands and reject it.
First Published September 6, 2011, 4:15 a.m.