Voting Rights

One of the main issues ACLU focuses on is voting rights. ACLU is celebrating two court cases in Ohio that ruled in favor of allowing people the right to an absentee vote, even those who are newly registered voters. As it currently stood in Ohio, the forms for absentee voting is due 35 days out and regular voter registration is only 30 days out. This left many voters who registered by the 30 day requirement unable to be eligible for an absentee vote. According to the ACLU news release sent out yesterday, "these decisions enhance civic participation by removing unnecessary and discriminatory barriers to people's access to the ballot."

With the rise in voter registration this election cycle, mostly due to Barack Obama's extensive "Get Out the Vote" efforts, these types of rulings can make a significant impact on the election this cycle. ACLU's commitment to ensuring that voting rights are protected is a core part of its mission as a NGO.