ELECTION 2018: Supreme Court sides with Ohio on voter rule; registration deadlines loom

A decision handed down recently by the U.S. Supreme Court is a good reminder to professional drivers about the importance of staying in the loop and voting.

The nation’s highest court ruled in favor of the state of Ohio in a challenge to one of the state’s practices to cancel the registration of voters. By a 5-4 vote, the justices agreed the state can remove a registrant if they fail to vote for two years, then fail to respond to a letter from the state or update their information online, and finally fail to vote for an additional four years after the notification letter is sent.

Ohio residents pulled from voter rolls can reregister.

Put into motion by the 1993 National Voter Registration Act, or Motor Voter Act, states are allowed to remove registrants who do not respond to inquiries by their state election office.

Registered voters, including professional drivers, in Ohio and elsewhere who have not received notices in the mail about recent elections are advised to reach out to their election office to confirm the agency has the most current address listed. Prospective voters may need to reregister.

The Ohio Secretary of State’s office announced following the court decision that no voters will be purged from the state’s list before the Nov. 6 statewide election, a spokesman for Jon Husted’s office told Land Line on Friday.

Registration deadlines loom for fall vote
With Election Day about 19 weeks away, it is time to act to ensure your voice is heard. The first round of state registration deadlines is approaching.

For most states, you can register to vote in person or online. Depending on your state, you may be able to print your registration form from a website or pick one up in person from the DMV, local board of elections office, post office, library or other locations designated by state officials.

About three-fourths of all states either use or are in the process of taking advantage of the internet to simplify the voter registration process.

After submitting your registration form, your state will provide details about your polling place. Some states will send a voter registration ID card, which you may be required to show at the polls. Other states require a photo ID when voting.

Many states also offer advance voting, voting by mail and absentee voting – making it possible for truckers to make their voices heard no matter where they happen to be on Election Day.

Any time you move – even across the street – you must reregister. The exception is North Dakota, where no registration is required. It is worth noting that P.O. boxes are not acceptable to establish residency.

If you registered in the past, but haven’t voted for a few years, contact your local election office before the deadline to make sure your registration is still active.

Visit FightingForTruckers.com for information on steps to register to vote. A link is available at the bottom of the page.

For truckers who do not have Web access – or those who have questions or need assistance – can call the OOIDA Membership Department at 800-444-5791, Ext. 4906.

For more 2018 election coverage from Land Line, click here.