Taft will sign 'attempt to take away the voice of the people of state.'

[Algorem]

Ohio House endorses no-fault absentee voting
GOP accused of trying to bypass ballot issue

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051020/NEWS24/510200382

By JIM PROVANCE
BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU


COLUMBUS - Without the uproar that accompanied Senate passage the day before, the state House yesterday swiftly approved a bill bringing no-fault absentee voting to Ohio.


Democrats insisted later their silence on the floor did not mean they disagree with their Senate counterparts that the sudden movement of the bill is a Republican attempt to undermine a proposed constitutional amendment on the subject on the Nov. 8 ballot.

"It's just obvious," House Democratic Leader Chris Redfern (D., Catawba Island) said. "Sometimes you don't really need to tell your colleagues what's happening here. ... It's a cynical attempt by those in leadership to go around the process and to take away the voice of the people of the state."

The bill passed the chamber 60-36, with one Democrat joining Republicans in support. The bill passed the Senate Tuesday 22-11 entirely along party lines...



http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/1020absentee.html

Taft to sign new legislation on 'no-fault' absentee voting
Democrats oppose bill because of ID requirement

By William Hershey and Shaheen Samavati

Dayton Daily News

COLUMBUS | Gov. Bob Taft intends to sign a "no-fault" absentee voting bill that received final legislative approval Wednesday, said Orest Holubec, Taft's spokesman.

Wednesday's vote in the Ohio House was 60-36, with all opposition coming from Democrats. Nobody spoke against the measure, however.

Before the Senate approved the bill Tuesday, Democratic senators blasted it because, unlike the proposed constitutional amendment, it would require a voter to provide identifying information such as a driver's license, utility bill or paycheck when requesting and submitting an absentee ballot.

"It's not necessary at times ... to point out the deficiencies of pieces of legislation. This bill is replete with problems," said House Minority Leader Chris Redfern, D-Catawba Island, who voted "no" and is a supporter of the constitutional amendment.