From The Associated Press, 10/4/06:
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-voting-rules-lawsuit,0,5624037.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines
Judge Throws Out Citizenship Voting Rule
By JOE MILICIA
Associated Press Writer
CLEVELAND --
A federal judge on Wednesday struck down a voting rule that required
naturalized citizens in Ohio to provide proof of their citizenship if
challenged by a poll worker.
A group of naturalized citizens, backed by the state chapter of the
American Civil Liberties Union, sued in August, alleging the law
singled out one group of citizens and placed an unfair burden on them.
Secretary of State Ken Blackwell agreed that the rule was
unconstitutional and did not challenge the lawsuit at a court hearing
Wednesday.
Judge Christopher Boyko said the rule raised concerns of profiling and
would hurt turnout among naturalized citizens.
"There can be no second-class American as far as any court is
concerned," Boyko said.
He asked that his decision be disseminated to other states.
The new rule was part of a law that would have required voters to cast
provisional ballots if they cannot show proof of citizenship upon a
poll worker's request.
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Beautiful
Harry
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