Group had filed an amicus brief in 6th Circuit in favor of weekend early voting; gained 25,000 petition signatures in support
Columbus, OH–(ENEWSPF)–October 17, 2012. The largest progressive group of veteran in America, VoteVets.org, is cheering the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to refuse Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted’s request for an emergency stay against the decision of the US Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit that preserved the right of local boards of election to remain open the weekend before election day.
“Yesterday’s ruling is a victory for the over 900,000 Veterans in Ohio, and all Active Duty military members in Ohio,” said Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org. “It is now time for all military and Veterans groups to come together in support of keeping all boards of elections open across Ohio the weekend before election day, so every Veteran and Service Member has the ability to vote. We hope Secretary of State Husted will join us, and urge all boards to remain open the weekend before the election.”
VoteVets.org had filed an amicus brief with the 6th Circuit, urging that polls remain open the weekend before election day, noting that many of Ohio’s over 900,000 Veterans are elderly and disabled, and rely on weekend voting. That can be read here: http://votevets.org/news/releases?id=0514 . The group also previously collected over 25,000 petition signatures, urging the campaign of Mitt Romney to support early voting for those veterans, and all Ohioans. That petition can be viewed here: http://www.votevets.org/voteohio.
Two previous court rulings found that the state had no basis for shutting down weekend voting to anyone who is not active duty military. The 6th Circuit found, however, that the decision to remain open rests with each individual board of elections. Secretary of State Husted appealed to the Supreme Court to stop implementation of the lower courts’ rulings, pending a full hearing on the matter. The Supreme Court refused.
Founded in 2006, and backed by over 220,000 members, the mission of VoteVets.org is to use public issue campaigns and direct outreach to lawmakers to ensure that troops abroad have what they need to complete their missions, and receive the care they deserve when they get home. VoteVets.org also recognizes veterans as a vital part of the fabric of our country and will work to protect veterans’ interests in their day-to-day lives. VoteVets.org is committed to the destruction of terror networks around the world – with force when necessary – to protect America. While non-partisan, the group is the largest progressive organization of veterans in America.
Source: http://www.votevets.org
