Here he said it again: "he even agrees with several of the changes proposed. But, despite advocates’ insistence to the contrary, LaRose does not feel he has the authority to take these actions unilaterally..."
Let me clear, we didn't receive the immediate relief we sought. That is disappointing.
But on the fundamental question that brought us to court in the first place?
6/
On this two-year narrative by LaRose that Ohio law has kept him from implementing online applications?
The Court agreed with us: “Having reviewed R.C. 3509.03, we find the plain language of the General Assembly does not prohibit qualified electors from making a written..."
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"...absentee ballot application to the county director of elections by email or fax or otherwise.”"
The law is not the problem, the Court is confirming.
Then later: “Nothing in this determination should be read as limiting the secretary from, in an exercise..."
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"...of his reasonable discretion, implementing R.C. 3509.03 to permit methods of delivery other than mail or in-person should the circumstances warrant it.”
Again, the court is saying LaRose can DO online or electronic applications if he wants to. It's up to him.
9/
So LaRose wasted two years telling the state he couldn't implement a 21st century system many other states have implemented, when it fact he could have done so all along.
He's been wrong the entire time, requiring voters to print, mail and put stamps on these applications
10/
Our only hope now is that after yesterday's ruling, he can finally stop pretending the law is an obstacle here, and he can start doing what so many other states have been doing without problems.
He's wasted enough time on this already.
Please get to work.
END
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“David Pepper has the experience and the skills to help us make a better American future. Read, learn — and act."
- @TimothyDSnyder
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“In Saving Democracy, David Pepper explains the tactics of authoritarians in America and offers strategies to fight back. For anyone who wants to know what to do and how to make a difference, this book provides a practical and badly needed road map.”
- @anneapplebaum
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Friends-
In recent months, I’ve been working hard to update my most recent book (from 2023): “Saving Democracy: A User’s Manual.”
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If Project 2025 had had a chapter outlining the role the federal judiciary could play in putting all its dark promises into place—and allowing authoritarianism to advance quickly and broadly—here are what the key elements would be:
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1) create immunity for federal officials engaging in official acts
2) make it as difficult as possible for courts and those aggrieved by illegal acts to stop them—even after they have been found to be illegal or when they are blatantly illegal
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3) use rulings to create a culture where federal district court orders can be regularly ignored with incredibly slow or no repercussions whatsoever
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A huge ruling in Ohio yesterday: universal vouchers struck down as unconstitutional
A 🧵 on some of the damning facts:
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1) Columbus City Schools receive only $2,800 per student (45,000 students) from the state, while the 7,500 voucher-funded private school students within its district are funded at more than $5,400 per student
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2) Cleveland/University Heights: $1,700 for each public school student vs. $5,500 per private/voucher student in the same community
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Yesterday, I drove to a food pantry in rural Ohio where I was told they were running out of food.
Here’s what I learned.
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The food pantry itself (in a town called Manchester) is doing heroic work to help those in need.
The dedicated staff and volunteers—aided by donations from local churches, Kroger, and some grant funding—are doing what they can.
Here’s what they told me:
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1) People generally come by the food bank once their SNAP benefits run out. So later in the month, as food support from SNAP runs out for families, the busier they get.