Hearing Under Way For Ohio Early Voting Squabble

By Bruce Kettelle

Suspended Montgomery County board of elections officials arrived in Columbus where over 200 supporters gathered in front of the building where a 9am hearing would decide on their continuance in office. Board members Dennis Lieberman and Tom Richie Sr. told the crowd they believed in fighting to keep early voting accessible to all voters.

Supporters gather in Columbus to hear Dennis Lieberman and Tom Richie Sr before their Monday morning hearing at the Ohio Secretary of State offices. Photo By Conor O'Leary

Secretary of State John Hustead suspended the board members Friday after they refused to rescind their motion to open Montgomery polls on two weekends prior to November’s Election Day. Hustead cited their nonfeasance in office as the cause for the suspension and possible removal depending on the outcome of today’s hearing.

The small hearing room only has room for 20 observers leaving the remaining supporters on the sidewalk which was quickly cleared by police. As of 11:30am the hearing is still in session.

The early voting issue came to a head recently when Hustead issued a directive to all of Ohio’s counties to standardize voting hours statewide. The mandate did not include any weekend hours which were previously approved for Montgomery County. Lieberman, citing high weekend voter turnout, voted Friday with Richie to reinclude the weekend hours in the county.

Supporters claim Hustead’s directive is politically motivated to reduce voter turnout in Ohio’s mostly democratic cities. Hustead is republican.

Ohio State Representative Roland Winburn who was also denied access to the hearing said Republicans are trying to disenfranchise African American voters.

UPDATE: The hearing lasted two hours and the mediator expects to issue his ruling at the end of the week.

(This author was denied admission to the hearing due to space limitations)