Ohio Opinions ? Argument over college student voting and tuition rates proposal

[cbelt3]

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/...raged.html
"The move, included in a huge package of amendments to the House's overhauled two-year budget, would require public universities to charge students in-state tuition rates if they issue students an official letter or utility bill as a form of voter ID. '

Note that a student must be an Ohio resident for a year before in-state tuition applies, but should only be a resident for 30 days before they can register to vote.

Personally I think this is a GREAT idea, and Dems should be fully behind it. Not only improve the ability of students to vote (and they should, oh yes they should !) but also give each and every single out of state student a discount on their tuition. Woo hoo !

The assumption that the colleges will somehow refuse to give documentation of residency which they are legally required to provide is silly. Do the Dems think the colleges will proceed to wilfully violate Federal voting registration laws ?

[Ted King]

It's hard not to wonder why Republicans would be pushing this bill.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/natio...feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+usatoday-NewsTopStories+(News+-+Top+Stories)

Dan Tokaji, an election law specialist at Ohio State University, said he knew of no other state with such a law.

The proposal, he added, seems like a political attempt to suppress a group of voters.

Opponents say the proposal's unstated intent is to push universities to stop providing the documents, which would hold down numbers of younger voters.

"Just look at the polling numbers: Students tend to vote Democratic," Tokaji said.

"They're trying to exclude people not because they're ineligible, but because the Legislature doesn't share their views.

"If they pass this bill, expect it to be struck down" in court, he said.

[cbelt3]

I saw that logic. However... I believe the schools would be in violation of federal election laws if they refused to provide residency documentation. In fact.. I even noted that.

[Ted King]

cbelt3 wrote:
I saw that logic. However... I believe the schools would be in violation of federal election laws if they refused to provide residency documentation. In fact.. I even noted that.

What federal law says they have to provide the documentation (couldn't find it in a search)?

Over the last few years the Republicans in Ohio have made several efforts to suppress voting, why would they do a 180 like this (if one were to assume they are trying to get out-of-state students to vote in Ohio)?

[cbelt3]

Ted-
I would expect that failure to provide documentation for voter registration purposes would follow under the voting rights act, much the way that several states were required to provide free photo id's for polling place proof.

I will agree that the whole 'vote supression' thing is insanely out of hand. Political parties should work on capturing hearts and minds, not just chasing voters away. It's horrible. But i'm trying to find the entertainment in this kerfluffle... the Dems seem to be applying the 'Republicans proposed === BAD' theory that they claim the Republicans are doing.

If I was in the state house (and I'm not), I would have laughingly added an amendment requiring additional state funding to support the massive reduction in tuition fees for all state schools due to the Republican's amendment. And then speechify about the 'unfunded mandates'. It would have been an easier way to kill the whole thing.