Civil rights leaders decry Governor Dewine for signing the strictest voter ID legislation in the country (Sub. HB 458) into law
January 7, 2023
COLUMBUS – Ohio civil rights leaders released the following letter in response to Governor Dewine signing HB 458 into law on Friday evening:
“We are disappointed and angry with Governor Dewine’s decision to uphold the strictest voter ID legislation in the country and enshrine it into Ohio law.
Sub HB 458 is a racially targeted piece of legislation that disproportionately attacks Black, brown, and naturalized Ohioans. It causes massive confusion at the polls through unnecessary voting ID restrictions that attack and disempower minority voters from exercising their voting power. This is voter suppression on a massive scale.
HB 458 is a deliberate and calculated attempt by Ohio Republicans to attack our freedom to vote and silence our voices at the ballot box. We won’t allow our decision-making power to be swept under the rug by extremist politicians like Dewine.
Ohioans deserve to have the final say.”
SIGNED:
Tom Roberts, Dayton
President, Ohio Conference of NAACP
Andre Washington, Columbus
President, A. Philip Randolph Institute
Pierrette M. Talley, Toledo
Executive Director, Ohio Coalition on Black Civic Participation
Prentiss Haney and Molly Shack, Cincinnati and Columbus
Co-Executive Directors, Ohio Organizing Collaborative
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