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The questions of voters rights are up for debate coming into this 2024 election cycle. Many are confused on what is generally allowed when it comes to elections and what rights they have. This is a comprehensive guide as to what your rights as a voter are.
Immigrants
Currently in the United States and Ohio, it is illegal for non-citizens to enter the United States of America. This means anyone who was not born in the United States or has gone through the citizenship exam.
There are some states that allow non-citizens to vote in local elections, but Ohio is not one of them.
“In some ways I think that it is good that immigrants can’t vote,” Dayton resident Lindsey Gertrum said. “But then in the same coin I think that they should be allowed to vote locally. They live in the same town I do, why can’t they have a say on [the mayor]?”
Felons
Currently, people who commit felonies are generally not allowed to vote for a short period in time, if not at all depending on crime. In the past year, there has been more of a fight for felons to regain their voter status, as many claim that jail changes people for the better.
One Springfield resident, Jack Willie, discussed the changes that can come with being in jail.
“Jail is a rehabilitation program. The reason a lot of people go back to jail and prison is because they aren’t treated like humans once they have been let out. If we did things like restoring voter rights and [making] it easier for felons to find jobs, they wouldn’t have to return to a life of crime,” Wille said.
Ohio is one of those states that has a ‘Vote Restoration’ program. In the State of Ohio, if a person who committed a felony would like to vote, they have to be registered to vote, not have any reasons for the court to not let them vote and may not be a two time felon.
More information can be found on the Ohio Secretary of State website.
Voter safety
Voter safety is another big concern in Ohio. Many citizens in Southwest Ohio are concerned that the polls will not be safe after presidential candidate Donald Trump’s created a frenzy over false claims about Haitian immigrants.
“Safety at the polls is a top priority for us,” the Greene County Board of Elections said in a statement to The Wright State Guardian, “There has been an increase in local officials at polling locations and our volunteers are trained to handle any problems that may appear.”
Voters need to remember that it is our constitutional right as Americans and citizens to get out and vote! Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
