Reynolds Holds Press Conference on Voter Registration Modernization Act

COLUMBUS—State Senator Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) held a press conference this morning regarding her recently introduced Senate Bill 147. This legislation is designed to allow voters to easily update their party affiliation on the voter registration form. Also in attendance was Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and State Representative Thomas Hall (R-Madison Township).
 
“I felt compelled to introduce this legislation upon hearing from constituents concerned about their inability to update their voter registration to reflect their values until a primary election every even-numbered year," said Reynolds. "The intent of this legislation is to allow Ohioans to update their party affiliation that they feel best reflects their values in real time. It will also increase data accuracy and strengthen the integrity of Ohio’s voter registration process."

"Further, this legislation provides confidence by eliminating day of'tactical voting' in primaries intended to select an opposing party’s candidate they feel their party has the best chance of defeating in a general election." 
 
Currently, a voter's party affiliation is solely determined by the last primary ballot they used. This change does not affect issue voting for unaffiliated voters. Again, this legislation only applies to the primary election process and has no effect on issues voting within the same election. 
 
LaRose strongly endorsed Reynolds' bill and does not believe it will cause a massive change for boards of elections to the way Ohio administers voter registration in elections. Representative Hall is the sponsor of House Bill 208, which is companion legislation over in the Ohio House.

Watch the entire press conference by clicking here.