As the time to vote for the second class chair in congress, the new House representatives, and a new governor in Ohio. With outcry in the recent weeks about voter suppression, one wonders what the current climate is for the Ohioan voter.

The Purge-Voter Law came under fire this year. What the law entails is that if someone has not voted for the past two years for any reason, they will be sent a notice. If they do not respond to the notice within 45 days, they are “purged” from the registration at their voting poll when they do show up to vote.

The law was challenged and eventually made its way to the Supreme Court. Note, it had been seen as unconstitutional by Ohio circuit courts. The court ruled 5-4 for the law, saying it did not violate the Voting Rights Act. The vote was split between party lines, the conservative majority winning to rule in favor of provisions that is seen to arguably benefit the Republican party.

The reasons for the regulations such as this, are to combat voter fraud. A hot topic among the Republican party and the core defense for many of these “voter suppression” incidents in the country as we vote in the midterm. Those being photo ID’s to be presented at the polls or the vast reduction of voting poll locations.

“There are things out of people’s control, and their inactivity doesn’t excuse taking their right to vote away,” spoken by Arianna Evans, LHS Junior. An example of it not being in one’s control, is if someone was overseas in the military. They can still take away one’s ability to vote due to this inactivity, even if the absence was justified.

One can only act in ways to push to get one’s vote in, stay educated, and do not let anyone keep you from your right to vote. And those who can vote this year, do so.