Ohio HB 472 drawing concerns over potential voter suppression

Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the issues with the proposed legislation in HB 472. Burga also discussed the efforts to get a redistricting amendment on the November ballot.

Ohio lawmakers are working to change the ways residents vote. In 2023, the documents required for voter verification were made so that the only acceptable document voters can use to verify is a state-issued ID or driver's license. With the proposed Ohio House Bill 472, the registration process would require more steps to the verification process that Burga said is a form of voter suppression. Burga discussed concerns about the new verification process and what he believes will happen with the proposed legislation.

There is more to HB 472, including new voting machine requirements. The proposal would ensure the machines cannot be connected to any telecommunications network. Burga is concerned with what that means for the election costs for the 88 counties in Ohio. If each unit has to be able to operate without an internet connection, that would mean each unit would have to be large enough to handle the voting program’s software and voting results without any external backup recordings. This would require more expensive systems, meaning more taxpayer money going to the election process.

Redistricting continues to be a significant focus for the state AFL-CIO. Burga updated the campaign with Citizens, not Politicians, to get the signatures needed to put the proposed redistricting amendment on the November ballot. This is needed to rebalance the voting districts to the state, without impacting either political party, Burga said. With a July 31 deadline to reach the signature requirements, he said they are close to the 415,000 ballot signatures and the minimum threshold in 44 of the 88 counties.

For more from Burga, please listen to the show above.