Latest legal wrangling still means no voting on weekends

Today there was big news in the war over early voting in Ohio, but contrary to what many are reporting, it’s not good.

Since 2005, Ohio has allowed early, in-person voting with many counties opening at night and on weekends to help reduce the lines on election day. The program was so well received, especially in the black community, that the GOP has done everything it can over the past year to limit early voting in hopes of avoiding a repeat of Obama’s win in 2008.

Last year, they passed a law that blocked early voting on the 3 days prior to the election for everyone but overseas and military voters. And last month, Secretary of State Jon Husted went even further, any county from opening at night or on weekends during the entire five weeks of early voting.

The Obama campaign sued over the new law, and a federal district judge agreed, ruling last Friday that the final weekend should be open to everyone. Rather than following the judge’s order, Husted and Attorney General Mike DeWine will appeal the ruling, with Husted counties not to schedule voting for that weekend. The judge yesterday  Husted to appear, in person, in his courtroom — an unusual move signaling his displeasure with Husted.

Today Husted reversed course, but only slightly. In order to get back on the judge’s good side, he  his directive barring counties from setting voting hours on the final weekend. But he simultaneously  for a stay of the district court decision and said he planned to appeal at the 6th Circuit.

Husted did not order counties to open up on the final weekend nor did he rescind his earlier order blocking all weekend voting, which still stands. Last week he fired two elections officials who dared to defy that directive, so we suspect none will step up and try now.

So do not be fooled by triumphant headlines. Today’s news is not a victory for voting rights advocates in Ohio.

Adding to the bad news, noted  think Husted has a good chance of winning on appeal.

Make no mistake, Republicans do not want people who tend to vote at night and on weekends (read–Democrats) to have as many opportunities to do so.

Today’s move toward appeal (ignoring major newspaper editorials urging otherwise) is proof.