Ohio Civil Rights Committee to Assess Voting Rights Progress: "Ohio’s Preparedness for the 2006 Elections"

The Ohio Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights will convene a briefing on Thursday, March 16, 2006, from 1:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. and on Friday, March 17, 2006, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, 1111 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH. The purpose is to find facts and assess the current state of voting access in the state.

Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) March 16, 2006 -- The Ohio Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights will convene a briefing on Thursday, March 16, 2006, from 1:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. and on Friday, March 17, 2006, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, 1111 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH. The purpose is to find facts and assess the current state of voting access in the state.

In light of recent federal and state legislation, including the Help America Vote Act and Ohio House Bill 3, the Ohio Advisory Committee voted to hear testimony from experts about these statutes, and the manner in which they have been or will be implemented. The Committee also expects to hear testimony regarding other aspects of voting access in Ohio. Experts include State Sen. Jeff Jacobson, Franklin County Board of Elections Director Matthew Damschroder, Common Cause Ohio Executive Director Sam Gresham, and Moritz College of Law Professor Daniel Tokaji. A full agenda is attached.

The Chairman of the Ohio Advisory Committee, Lynwood Battle of Cincinnati, will introduce the presenters and moderate the panels. Members of the Ohio Advisory Committee include former U.S. Attorney Sharon Zealey, Ohio Civil Rights Commission Chairman Aaron Wheeler, Toledo College of Law Professor David Harris. A full list of members is attached. All members will engage the presenters in a question and answer session at the end of each panel. In addition, an open session is scheduled at the end of each day of testimony: 4:45 p.m. on Thursday and 12:30 p.m. on Friday.
   
As directed by Congress, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has established committees in the 50 U.S states and the District of Columbia, comprised of volunteer citizens who advise the Commission on state-level civil rights issues.

Media contact:
Karundi A. Williams
Office of Public Affairs & Civic Engagement (PACE)
Ohio Civil Rights Commission
Direct: (614) 466-2592
Fax: (614) 466-7742

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