Keep the Other Team's Players Off the Field

Brunner has been widely criticized for ordering the rejection of thousands of Republican absentee ballot requests

The Cincinnati Enquirer: In a narrow interpretation of Ohio law, Democratic Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner says many of the McCain forms have not been completed properly. If the box stating the person is an eligible elector -- or qualified voter – is not checked, Brunner said, the application is no good. (“Ballot snafu endangers voters,” Jon Craig, The Cincinnati Enquirer, 9/11/08)

Jon Seaton, McCain Campaign: “There is no reason to reject a form that includes all necessary legal requirements,” said Jon Seaton, McCain's regional campaign manager in the state. “Our position has not changed – qualified electors who request an absentee ballot should not be disenfranchised.” (“Small check box, big dust-up in OH,” MSNBC, 9/12/08)

The Columbus Dispatch: When applicants substantially comply with requirements and their intentions are clear, rejection isn't reasonable. Brunner wants county elections boards to ask that the applications be resubmitted. That's a time-consuming process that might discourage people from voting by mail. Insisting on this opens her to charges that she seeks to disenfranchise Republican voters.  (“Needless nitpicking,” The Columbus Dispatch, editorial, 9/12/08)

Newark Advocate: “It's hard to see how missing a box and/or forgetting to check it, assuming all other information that is present, should be the determinant in whether an absentee ballot is sent.  Those who fail to check the box are supposed to get a letter explaining the situation and another opportunity to request an absentee ballot. But, for a number of reasons, it would not be surprising to see the number of repeat applications drop off dramatically.  In and of itself the checked box is meaningless."  (“Absentee ballots critical in election, Newark Advocate, editorial, 9/12/08)

Rolling Stone: "Democrat Jennifer Brunner is sadly mirroring the same partisan mischief Republican Ken Blackwell was infamous for when he was Secretary of State.  She's disqualifying what may be thousands and thousands of McCain-campaign printed absentee ballot request forms because of a technicality in which voters failed to check off an extraneous box that affirms they're a qualified voter.  This is plainly partisan, legalistic voter-disenfranchising bull*** and Jennifer Brunner - a onetime recipient of a Profile in Courage award for her whistle-blowing against insecure electronic voting systems - ought to be ashamed of herself." (“Ballot access shenanigans in Ohio,” Tim Dickinson, Rolling Stone, 9/12/08)

James Harper, Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor: “Secretary Brunner’s position in this regard is not supported by the Revised Code, relevant decisions of the Supreme Court of Ohio, nor her own recently promulgated directives. (Opinion issued to the Hamilton County Board of Elections, Hamilton County Prosecutor’s office, 9/15/08)