Beacon Journal - Bigger push urged on voter ID law

Sunday, July 9, 2006

(Akron Beacon Journal)

Bigger push urged on voter ID law

Democrats say Ohio election chief -- and GOP governor nominee -- not doing enough to spread the word

By Patrick Cain

Beacon Journal Columbus Bureau

COLUMBUS - Ohio's chief elections officer -- who is also the Republican nominee for governor -- apparently has no plans to educate Ohioans about a new voter identification requirement beyond county fair booth flyers.

Four months away from fall's statewide elections -- not to mention various local elections in August -- Democrats are getting nervous.

Democrats say that if enough of Ohio's 7.6 million voters go to the polls Nov. 7 without the required IDs, it will slow the polling lines and cause voters to be disenfranchised in much the same way as they say some were in the 2004 presidential election. That is especially a concern in inner city areas, which often lean Democratic, because the required IDs may not be as easily produced.

James Lee, spokesman for Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, said the office plans to be at fairs, work with other groups and have public service announcements. However, he said there is no set plan to date.

``The budget isn't completely determined for this project,'' he said. ``The election isn't until November. Certainly we'll be stepping up our efforts as we get closer.''

Lee said he couldn't give exact plans or dollar figures because of budget fluctuations.

The ID requirement came in House Bill 3 passed in May, putting some of the education responsibility on county boards of elections. Sometime near the election, registered voters should expect to get a reminder in the mail to bring a valid ID -- a mass mailing that is expected to cost county boards of elections more than $1.3 million.

But the legislation did not cover that or other expenses that would be incurred for county boards or Blackwell's office to keep voters informed of the change.

In Blackwell's situation, if more than $50,000 is spent, he may request the funds from the State Controlling Board, but Lee could not say if Blackwell was likely to exceed the $50,000 threshold.

Spending one penny per registered voter would be more than $76,000.

Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern said money should not be a factor in preserving the ability to vote.

``Franchise is the foundation of our democracy,'' Redfern said. ``Cuddling the few brochures at a community fair simply won't do.''

But state Sen. Jeff Jacobson, R-Dayton, said Democrats are using scare tactics.

``If anyone tells me they got disenfranchised, I'll think they got their copy of the talking points. I won't take it as a legitimate thing,'' said Jacobson, who shepherded the bill in the Senate. ``I think they're grasping at straws and they're down at the bottom of the box.''

Nonetheless, Redfern said Democrats said they are serious and intend to ensure that at least their voters know the rules. He said Democrats will have an intensive, committed and expensive voter education drive, although he would not share details of it.

State. Sen. Kimberly Zurz, D-Akron, however, said she does not want to rely on the party's efforts alone. She said Blackwell should be disseminating the information from county boards and not have it double as free advertising for his gubernatorial campaign.

``I'm sure they know exactly what they're going to do,'' Zurz said. ``But I'm sure it's coordinated with their campaign and they can't tell you that because it's against the rules.''

Carlo LoParo, Blackwell's campaign spokesman, dismissed the Democrats' concerns, saying they are not about protecting voters, but about smearing Blackwell.

Meanwhile, Lee -- the spokesman for the secretary of state's office -- said Blackwell will have a plan to educate voters and it will be extensive.

``Yes, we will be doing (public service announcements). Yes, we will be doing outreach. Yes, we will be working with organizations of every imaginable political and apolitical affiliation to promote education and educate voters about the voter ID requirements,'' Lee said.

However, Lee was unsure on the question of whether the office would spend a larger percentage on public service announcements versus fairs, staffing or printing costs.

``That may turn out to be the case, but you're just a little bit ahead of me, he said.''