A cover message and memorandum from Representative Brian G. Williams re: Blackwell's proposed changes to voter registration in Ohio

[Note from blogger: this is one of those posts that refused to blog correctly; I am blogging it anyway, even though it may look a little strange, as most of the intended material is here. KBB]

June 22, 2006

Dear Friends:

I have received many, many emails and calls to step forward against Secretary of State Ken Blackwell's proposed changes to voter registration in Ohio.

Accordingly, and in agreement, I have written the attached memorandum to serve as official documentation against the proposals. I do not serve on JCARR Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, but I am alerting the Democratic members of JCARR in the House and Senate that we do not feel these changes are in the best interest of Ohioans.

Voting should not be made more difficult. Voting is a sacred right that we must protect.

Thank you for your input on this important issue.

Memorandum:

TO: State Rep. Kenneth Carano & State Rep. Fred Strahorn

JCARR -- Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review -- House Democratic Caucus

FROM: State Representative Brian G. Williams

Ohio House District 41

Proudly serving portions of Akron & Cuyahoga Falls; All of Bath Township, Boston Heights, Boston Township, Copley, Fairlawn, Macedonia, Northfield Center, Northfield Village, Norton, Peninsula, Reminderville, Richfield Township, Richfield Village, Sagamore Hills, Twinsburg City & Twinsburg Township Committees: Finance Local/Municipal Government & Urban Revitalization Education Ranking Member- Subcommittee on -Primary & Secondary Education Education Subcommittee on - Alternative Education

RE: Kenneth Blackwell, Secretary of State

SUBJ.: Changes in Voting Procedures/Registration for Ohio

DATE: 06-22-2006

Dear Colleagues:

I ran for office and came to Columbus to work in a bi-partisan fashion to make life better for our District 41, and in so doing bettering life for all of Ohio. However, the time comes, as the voice of our constituents at the Statehouse that we must step forward in a strong voice against ideas, or principles that appear to undermine the rights of the citizens of our State. Many times, as a new member of the Minority Party, I have had to watch as one-party rule outvoted and threatened those rights. Ohio has undergone scrutiny, innuendo, and disgrace from around the world because of Majority Party’s ethics scandals and seeming election malfeasance. This State CANNOT continue on this path.

So, now is that time to step forward against the changes in voting procedures in Ohio as proposed by Mr. Blackwell. His agenda can only be construed as political, and not in the best interests of our State. Following is the verbiage I have received in literally hundreds of e-mails and phones calls against the voting changes Mr. Blackwell has put forth:

________

Subject line of e-mail: From a constituent – Stop Blackwell’s outrageous

Dear Representative Brian Williams,

As your constituent, I’m writing to strongly urge you to ask all your colleagues on the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review to reject Ken Blackwell’s onerous and completely unnecessary voter registration rules.

Voting is a basic American right. Community groups have a fundamental role to play in helping people – especially from underrepresented communities – register and get out to vote. Our representative democracy is strengthened when more people register and vote.

Unfortunately, Mr. Blackwell’s new rules run counter to that spirit. It seems that he’s simply acting out of his own partisan interest, rather than for the common good of the people of Ohio. These rules are a “solution” to a problem that simply does not exist. So I urge you to ask all your colleagues on the Joint Committee to reject Mr. Blackwell’s unnecessary and overly burdensome new regulations.

I look forward to your reply on this serious matter.

________

As the State Representative for District 41, and the voice of that segment of Ohio at the Statehouse, I respectfully submit this memorandum as official documentation against these proposals. I ask that you, as a Democratic representative on JCARR, submit this memorandum and my staunch representation against these proposals on behalf of my constituents. For them and for myself, I thank you.