Ohio has asked a federal judge in Columbus to hold off enforcing an order requiring the state to allow voting during Golden Week, when voters can both register to vote and cast an in-person absentee ballot. U.S. District Judge Michael Watson last week struck down a state law that eliminated Golden Week, ruling that the 2014 law violates both the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. That law shortened early voting from 35 days before an election to 28. Husted said then that the state would appeal the ruling.
In its filing Monday, the state argues that returning to 35 days of early voting now would create hardship for county boards of election prepping for August’s special election date. That would require early voting start June 28.
“The short time frame for compliance and the possibility of a different voting schedule in the November general election risks harm to both local election officials and Ohio voters,” lawyers for the state argued in their motion.
Full Article: Ohio asks federal judge to delay reinstating ‘Golden Week’ allowing registration, voting | cleveland.com.