SOCIAL JUSTICE BLOG

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Connecting the Dots: Fracking and Voter Suppression in Youngstown, Ohio
Voter Suppression, Fracking, Environmental Justice Teddy Basham-Witherington Voter Suppression, Fracking, Environmental Justice Teddy Basham-Witherington

Connecting the Dots: Fracking and Voter Suppression in Youngstown, Ohio

People in Ohio have a right to the initiative to directly “check and balance” the government. Nonetheless, governing officials are repeatedly telling residents that they do not have the authority to vote on these measures. “It’s voter suppression,” says Wilkins, “because they’re not allowing you to vote on things you believe in. We the people should have the right to vote on these things.”

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Ohio Voting Rights Case For Pretrial Detainees Erupts Out Of 2018 Midterms
Voting Rights, Class Actions, Voter Suppression Teddy Basham-Witherington Voting Rights, Class Actions, Voter Suppression Teddy Basham-Witherington

Ohio Voting Rights Case For Pretrial Detainees Erupts Out Of 2018 Midterms

Ohio, like many states, has a system that allows people who experience unforeseen hospitalization or other medical emergencies to request, receive, and cast absentee ballots, even if their emergency took place after the normal absentee ballot request deadline. However, despite the constitutional presumption of innocence, the same provision is not available to voters arrested after the deadline. These voters, have not been convicted of any crime, are similarly unable to reach the polls on Election Day, yet they are denied access to the emergency voting procedure.

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