Ohio Secretary of State sued for barring 17-year-olds from the ballot

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted is being sued by voter rights organization The Fair Legal Elections Network for his new ruling that bars 17-year-olds from voting in the Ohio primary election.

It used to be that 17-year-olds were allowed to vote in the primary election if turned 18 by the time the general election rolled around.

Indeed, the Ohio Revised Code specifically allows 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections to nominate candidates, if they will be 18 by the time of the general election.

But last year Husted ruled that because young voters are technically electing delegates in a primary election, they cannot vote in those elections.

His stance has drawn fire from state representatives and voters rights groups who think the Ohio Revised Code clearly states 17-year-olds should be allowed to vote in the primary. The ACLU of Ohio and the League of Women Voters called for Husted to reverse his stance.

Whether the suit will be resolved by the time the primary rolls around remains to be seen.

UPDATE: Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is filing a separate suit against Husted for the same reason. Sanders, who is running for the democratic nomination, enjoys considerable support among young voters.

 

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