Jim Crow Has Been Resurrected': State Sen. Nina Turner Says Republicans Are Suppressing Voters in Ohio

Appearing on CNN's "Newsroom" on Tuesday, Ohio State Senator Nina Turner said that "Jim Crow has been resurrected" in her state, referring specifically to what she calls voter suppression happening in "Democratic areas and also areas that are predominantly African-American."

"It's tragic that in the 21st century, 2012, we have voter suppression going on," Turner said. "You know, Jim Crow has been resurrected, making repeat performances in the South and has packed his bags and moved north, in Ohio in particular."

CNN host Deborah Feyerick asked why early voting is not being expanded in some Ohio counties and not others. Some county election boards have voted to extend early voting periods, while others have not. Turner believes there is a conspiracy to suppress the Democratic and African-American vote.

The Secretary of State John Husted announced over the weekend that he may issue a set of early voting guidelines for all counties to follow.

"It’s not by accident, Deb, that Democrats in Republican-leaning counties who serve on boards of elections get it. Democrats have been consistent in terms of us extending the franchise for the citizens of the state," she added.

However, in more urban counties, she explained, "the Republicans on those boards have voted to suppress the vote."

"You see very, very clearly that in Republican-leaning counties the vote has been extended and in Democratic-leaning counties, the vote has been suppressed," Turner continued. "Even Ray Charles could see what’s going on here: flat-out voter suppression in Democratic areas and also areas that are predominantly African-American."

"Nobody should have to beg to vote," Tuner concluded. "They might as well bring back literacy tests and the poll tax if they are going to keep this up in the state of Ohio."

Watch the segment below via CNN:

(H/T: Mediaite)