Dem. Rep. Says Proposed Voter ID Laws Are 'Thinly Veiled Attempts' to 'Suppress the Voting Rights of African Americans

Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder last week asking him to review two proposed voting measures she claims are designed to "suppress the voting rights of African Americans and other minorities."

"I am concerned about restrictive legislation concerning voter photo identification and the reduction of early voting days pending in the Ohio legislature, and seek your assistance," Fudge wrote in her letter.

Rep. Marcia Fudge. (Image source: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The legislation, S. 238 and H.B. 269, would reduce the number of absentee voting days by six, prohibit pre-paid absentee ballots from being mailed to every voter and require individuals present a form of photo ID to vote.

"I believe both of these proposals are designed to systemically restrict the access of eligible Ohioans' to the voting booth, particularly minorities, students and the elderly," Fudge said of the proposals.

[sharequote align="center"]"...a thinly veiled attempt to reduce the number of people able to exercise their right to vote."[/sharequote]

"If enacted, H.B. 269 would disenfranchise large portions of the African American electorate and limit their access to the ballot box," she added. "With no indication that voter fraud is a widespread problem in Ohio, this proposal is a thinly veiled attempt to reduce the number of people able to exercise their right to vote."

The congresswoman concluded, calling the legislation "active attempts to suppress the voting rights of African Americans and other minorities.

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