Hoyer Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Delay Early Voting in Ohio

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) released the following statement today on yesterday's Supreme Court decision to delay the start of early voting in Ohio, which was scheduled to begin today:

“I am very disappointed that the Supreme Court ruled yesterday that early voting in Ohio can be rolled back by that state’s Republican-led legislature, which has joined other Republican-led states in curtailing access to the ballot.  These changes to voting rules in Ohio and other states have disproportionally affected minorities, seniors, and students.  They undermine the most fundamental right we have as Americans – the right to vote. 

“Early voting has made it possible for millions of workers who cannot afford to take off from work or have difficulty making it to the polls on a Tuesday to cast their ballots and have their voices heard.  Every voice in our democracy deserves to be heard loudly and clearly.  That’s why I was proud to sponsor the Help America Vote Act in 2002 and why House Democrats will continue to push for Congress to take up the bipartisan Voting Rights Amendment Act and the Voter Empowerment Act to restore voting rights safeguards and make it easier for Americans to vote – not more difficult.”