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The State of Ohio

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Some changes announced affecting this fall's election. The race to register voters is on ahead of the deadline next month. And a school district is warned about how it's transporting kids, as schools deal with a statewide bus driver shortage. Jen Miller with the League of Women Voters of Ohio is our studio guest.

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00:00:38	Some changes announced
00:00:38	affecting this
00:00:40	fall's election.
00:00:42	The race to register voters
00:00:42	is on ahead of the deadline
00:00:45	next month,
00:00:46	and a school
00:00:46	district is warned
00:00:47	about how it's transporting
00:00:47	kids.
00:00:50	As schools deal with a
00:00:50	statewide bus driver shortage.
00:00:53	As schools deal with a
00:00:53	statewide bus driver shortage.
00:00:53	That's this
00:00:53	weekend. The state of Ohio.
00:00:55	That's this
00:00:55	weekend. The state of Ohio.
00:01:14	Welcome to the state of Ohio.
00:01:15	I'm Karen Kasler.
00:01:17	The November 5th election
00:01:17	is less than two months away.
00:01:20	And this week
00:01:20	there are two changes
00:01:22	that could have an impact
00:01:22	on that vote.
00:01:25	The ban on contributions
00:01:25	to ballot issue campaigns
00:01:27	by foreign nationals,
00:01:27	including lawful
00:01:30	permanent residents
00:01:30	or green card
00:01:31	holders, was blocked in part
00:01:31	by a federal judge
00:01:34	holders, was blocked in part
00:01:34	by a federal judge
00:01:34	just hours before
00:01:34	it was supposed to go
00:01:36	into effect September 1st.
00:01:38	Judge Michael Watson
00:01:38	wrote the ban violates
00:01:40	the First Amendment
00:01:40	rights of green card holders,
00:01:43	which was a warning
00:01:44	the bill's sponsor, Republican
00:01:44	Representative Bill Seitz,
00:01:47	the bill's sponsor, Republican
00:01:47	Representative Bill Seitz,
00:01:47	had given,
00:01:47	as his fellow Republicans
00:01:49	added in that green card
00:01:49	provision at the last minute,
00:01:52	added in that green card
00:01:52	provision at the last minute,
00:01:52	leading him
00:01:52	to vote against his own bill.
00:01:55	The ban was aimed
00:01:55	at dark money
00:01:57	and the issue one campaign
00:01:57	to change the process
00:01:59	of drawing lawmakers
00:01:59	district lines.
00:02:01	Republicans who oppose that
00:02:01	redistricting amendment
00:02:04	note that progressive groups
00:02:04	have donated toward it,
00:02:07	including the 1630 fund,
00:02:09	which gets contributions
00:02:09	from a Swiss billionaire.
00:02:12	which gets contributions
00:02:12	from a Swiss billionaire.
00:02:12	Governor
00:02:12	Mike DeWine had called
00:02:13	for a special session in late
00:02:13	spring to pass that ban,
00:02:16	which he still says is needed.
00:02:18	know, this is something the
00:02:18	legislature should look at.
00:02:21	know, this is something the
00:02:21	legislature should look at.
00:02:23	And look at, the possibility
00:02:26	of enacting a separate piece
00:02:26	of legislation
00:02:29	of enacting a separate piece
00:02:29	of legislation
00:02:30	which exempts out those
00:02:30	who are carrying a green card.
00:02:34	which exempts out those
00:02:34	who are carrying a green card.
00:02:34	But DeWine
00:02:35	adds that other proposals
00:02:35	to lawmakers from his fellow
00:02:38	Republicans Secretary of State
00:02:38	Frank Larose,
00:02:40	for laws to ban
00:02:40	ballot drop boxes completely
00:02:43	for laws to ban
00:02:43	ballot drop boxes completely
00:02:44	and to require proof
00:02:44	of citizenship
00:02:46	with voter registration
00:02:46	are not necessary.
00:02:49	with voter registration
00:02:49	are not necessary.
00:02:49	I, I, I have said consistently
00:02:49	that I think we do
00:02:51	a very good job in Ohio
00:02:51	running elections. And,
00:02:54	a very good job in Ohio
00:02:54	running elections. And,
00:02:56	I think anyone
00:02:56	who wants to change what we do
00:02:58	has a burden of proof
00:02:58	of showing that there's
00:03:00	a there's a problem
00:03:00	with what we do now
00:03:02	has to be some end
00:03:02	to changing rules.
00:03:05	has to be some end
00:03:05	to changing rules.
00:03:05	But there will be new limits
00:03:05	on the one secure ballot drop
00:03:09	box in each county
00:03:09	Board of elections this fall.
00:03:11	The Rose issued a directive
00:03:11	saying only the voter
00:03:14	can deposit the absentee
00:03:14	ballot.
00:03:16	They're
00:03:16	casting into the drop box,
00:03:18	and if it's being delivered
00:03:18	by a family member
00:03:20	or someone
00:03:20	assisting that voter,
00:03:22	that person must come into the
00:03:22	board office and sign a form
00:03:26	confirming that.
00:03:27	Lareau says it's to prevent
00:03:27	the practice of absentee
00:03:29	ballots being collected
00:03:29	and delivered all at once,
00:03:32	which is usually done to help
00:03:33	elderly and disabled voters
00:03:33	or those in rural areas.
00:03:36	elderly and disabled voters
00:03:36	or those in rural areas.
00:03:36	The Rose says in the directive
00:03:36	that his office
00:03:38	will vigorously investigate
00:03:38	and refer for prosecution.
00:03:41	will vigorously investigate
00:03:41	and refer for prosecution.
00:03:42	Anyone engaged in
00:03:42	ballot harvesting,
00:03:44	which Republicans have claimed
00:03:44	is open to fraud.
00:03:47	which Republicans have claimed
00:03:47	is open to fraud.
00:03:47	This week
00:03:47	I talked with Jen Miller
00:03:49	of the League of Women
00:03:50	Voters of Ohio
00:03:50	about why voting rights
00:03:52	advocates are concerned
00:03:52	about that.
00:03:54	The biggest problem is
00:03:54	that boards of elections
00:03:56	are only open
00:03:56	during business hours.
00:03:58	This is going
00:03:58	to be very difficult
00:04:00	for a lot of working
00:04:01	individuals, or folks
00:04:01	who just cannot get
00:04:04	individuals, or folks
00:04:04	who just cannot get
00:04:04	to the center of the county
00:04:04	during business hours.
00:04:08	to the center of the county
00:04:08	during business hours.
00:04:08	The drop
00:04:08	boxes are an efficient
00:04:11	and secure way of returning
00:04:11	not just absentee ballots,
00:04:14	but also absentee ballot
00:04:16	requests, voter registration
00:04:16	forms, candidate filing forms.
00:04:20	requests, voter registration
00:04:20	forms, candidate filing forms.
00:04:20	They're used
00:04:20	for a wide range of things.
00:04:21	They're 600 pounds.
00:04:21	They're bolted to the ground.
00:04:24	They're bomb and fireproof.
00:04:26	They have 24/7 surveillance,
00:04:28	and they are emptied
00:04:28	by members
00:04:29	of two different
00:04:29	political parties.
00:04:31	It is an incredibly secure
00:04:31	and direct way
00:04:35	It is an incredibly secure
00:04:35	and direct way
00:04:35	of getting your elections mail
00:04:35	to the boards of elections,
00:04:38	and it shouldn't be limited
00:04:38	to just the voter themselves.
00:04:42	and it shouldn't be limited
00:04:42	to just the voter themselves.
00:04:42	Larose says his concern is
00:04:42	also about ballot harvesting.
00:04:46	Larose says his concern is
00:04:46	also about ballot harvesting.
00:04:46	He told lawmakers
00:04:46	in a letter last week
00:04:48	that a person could return
00:04:48	any number of ballots
00:04:50	to a Dropbox by just claiming
00:04:50	they got permission
00:04:52	of the voters
00:04:52	to cast those ballots.
00:04:54	And he wrote that
00:04:54	this loophole in the law.
00:04:55	Maybe what
00:04:56	the League of Women
00:04:56	Voters intended because,
00:04:58	quote, your legal strategy
00:04:58	seeks to make Ohio's elections
00:05:01	quote, your legal strategy
00:05:01	seeks to make Ohio's elections
00:05:02	less secure
00:05:03	and more vulnerable
00:05:03	to cheating,
00:05:04	especially as it relates
00:05:04	to the use of dropboxes.
00:05:07	In this letter,
00:05:07	he also encourages
00:05:08	state lawmakers to ban
00:05:08	ballot drop boxes entirely.
00:05:11	state lawmakers to ban
00:05:11	ballot drop boxes entirely.
00:05:11	What is your reaction?
00:05:13	So we have several pieces
00:05:13	here.
00:05:14	First and foremost,
00:05:15	let's remember that absentee
00:05:15	ballots,
00:05:18	have really two verification
00:05:18	processes.
00:05:20	First,
00:05:20	the person has to verify
00:05:22	their identity
00:05:22	to get the ballot.
00:05:24	And then they
00:05:25	have to verify their identity
00:05:25	to return the ballot.
00:05:29	And that system
00:05:29	is incredibly secure.
00:05:32	And that system
00:05:32	is incredibly secure.
00:05:32	The idea of ballot harvesting
00:05:32	is this idea
00:05:34	that someone could randomly
00:05:34	get a whole bunch of ballots,
00:05:37	fill them out,
00:05:37	put them in a Dropbox,
00:05:39	not get caught by the cameras,
00:05:39	which is number one.
00:05:42	not get caught by the cameras,
00:05:42	which is number one.
00:05:43	They often
00:05:43	get caught by the cameras.
00:05:44	But secondly,
00:05:45	that they would somehow
00:05:45	be able to fake the identity,
00:05:49	that they would somehow
00:05:49	be able to fake the identity,
00:05:49	the signature, and all the
00:05:50	personal information
00:05:50	of all these voters.
00:05:53	That's highly unlikely.
00:05:55	So that's one thing.
00:05:55	So that's one thing.
00:05:57	Also, my organization,
00:05:59	which is 104 years old,
00:05:59	has been working on election
00:06:02	integrity and security,
00:06:02	for since the very beginning.
00:06:07	integrity and security,
00:06:07	for since the very beginning.
00:06:07	So many aspects of secure
00:06:07	elections
00:06:10	are things that we championed.
00:06:11	Like the fact that machines
00:06:11	are in a room
00:06:15	with one Republican key
00:06:15	and one Democrat key, that,
00:06:18	with one Republican key
00:06:18	and one Democrat key, that,
00:06:19	dropboxes are emptied
00:06:19	by members
00:06:22	of two different
00:06:22	political parties.
00:06:24	Cyber security protocols,
00:06:24	post election audits,
00:06:27	we care deeply about election
00:06:27	integrity and security
00:06:32	and always will.
00:06:33	So this idea that we
00:06:33	somehow would want
00:06:37	to make elections less secure
00:06:37	is entirely inaccurate.
00:06:41	to make elections less secure
00:06:41	is entirely inaccurate.
00:06:41	At the end of the day,
00:06:41	we had a lawsuit,
00:06:44	and this was seeking
00:06:44	a very narrow ruling, the idea
00:06:47	that in Ohio, before this
00:06:47	judge ruled that a grandchild
00:06:52	that in Ohio, before this
00:06:52	judge ruled that a grandchild
00:06:53	could not return the absentee
00:06:53	ballot of their grandparent,
00:06:56	could not return the absentee
00:06:56	ballot of their grandparent,
00:06:56	nieces and nephews could.
00:06:58	But grandkids,
00:06:58	grandkid kids couldn't.
00:07:00	And that if a grandkid did,
00:07:02	they could face a felony
00:07:02	charge.
00:07:04	That's what we are
00:07:04	looking at, a very narrow
00:07:06	ruling about the elderly
00:07:06	and those with mobility
00:07:09	challenges and disabilities
00:07:11	being able to choose
00:07:11	the helper that they need.
00:07:14	Too many Ohioans
00:07:16	don't have someone on that
00:07:16	limited list,
00:07:18	and it could mean
00:07:18	the difference
00:07:20	between voting and not.
00:07:22	And that was the lawsuit
00:07:22	that you won.
00:07:25	And part of that law was then
00:07:25	this is the big 458,
00:07:28	the big law that, required
00:07:28	photo, photo ID.
00:07:31	Limited counties
00:07:31	to one ballot, Dropbox,
00:07:32	all of these things,
00:07:34	that part of that law
00:07:34	is not allowed to be enforced.
00:07:37	The judge put a hold on that.
00:07:38	Laura says that's part of why
00:07:38	he's put this directive out
00:07:42	there now.
00:07:42	But he's also saying
00:07:42	he wants to ban
00:07:45	ballot drop boxes entirely,
00:07:45	which is a switch from in
00:07:48	previous years.
00:07:49	He said ballot drop
00:07:49	boxes were fine
00:07:51	as long as the legislature
00:07:51	was okay with them.
00:07:53	What about banning
00:07:53	ballot drop boxes?
00:07:55	Again,
00:07:55	many conservative states
00:07:58	have a lot more drop
00:07:58	boxes per county
00:08:00	than we do, and drop
00:08:00	boxes are incredible secure.
00:08:03	than we do, and drop
00:08:03	boxes are incredible secure.
00:08:03	Let's keep in mind
00:08:03	that the election process,
00:08:06	if if you're using the mail,
00:08:06	you might run out of time.
00:08:10	Or maybe you don't
00:08:10	have a stamp,
00:08:12	or maybe you just really feel
00:08:12	better getting it directly
00:08:15	to the Board of Elections.
00:08:17	The fact that these are open
00:08:17	24 over seven
00:08:20	with surveillance
00:08:20	the entire time
00:08:23	with surveillance
00:08:23	the entire time
00:08:23	they are incredibly secure
00:08:23	and direct way of
00:08:28	they are incredibly secure
00:08:28	and direct way of
00:08:28	submitting your elections mail
00:08:28	to the boards of elections.
00:08:31	They're common sense
00:08:32	They're common sense
00:08:33	and lawmakers who want to
00:08:33	change some of the voting laws
00:08:38	that are out there,
00:08:38	because there is a big bill
00:08:39	that's
00:08:39	still in the legislature
00:08:40	that would make
00:08:40	some other changes.
00:08:42	They say that these changes
00:08:42	are necessary to keep Ohio's
00:08:45	They say that these changes
00:08:45	are necessary to keep Ohio's
00:08:46	voting system at the gold
00:08:46	standard, that it is that it
00:08:49	protects election integrity
00:08:49	and nobody's perfect.
00:08:52	We should constantly be
00:08:53	striving for more security
00:08:53	and integrity.
00:08:57	striving for more security
00:08:57	and integrity.
00:08:57	You've raised concerns
00:08:58	about a lot of the voting laws
00:08:58	that have come forward.
00:09:01	Why not pass
00:09:01	some of these changes?
00:09:03	Doesn't that just help
00:09:03	with election security?
00:09:06	So we have incredibly secure
00:09:06	elections.
00:09:08	And in fact, both the AG
00:09:09	and the Secretary of state
00:09:09	continue
00:09:11	to say
00:09:11	that we have
00:09:12	the most secure elections
00:09:12	in the country, and I agree.
00:09:15	the most secure elections
00:09:15	in the country, and I agree.
00:09:15	We have safeguards around
00:09:15	every aspect of our elections.
00:09:18	We have the strictest voter
00:09:18	ID in the country.
00:09:21	We have very secure absentee
00:09:21	voting.
00:09:24	Our machines are not hooked
00:09:24	to the internet.
00:09:27	Our machines are not hooked
00:09:27	to the internet.
00:09:27	Our boards of
00:09:28	elections are bipartisan
00:09:28	and run by community servants.
00:09:31	elections are bipartisan
00:09:31	and run by community servants.
00:09:32	And and so,
00:09:33	when we look
00:09:33	at changing elections,
00:09:36	we need to look
00:09:36	at all of the consequences
00:09:40	we need to look
00:09:40	at all of the consequences
00:09:40	that this idea
00:09:41	that we
00:09:42	would get rid of dropboxes
00:09:43	this idea of folks having
00:09:43	to go in and fill out a form.
00:09:47	this idea of folks having
00:09:47	to go in and fill out a form.
00:09:47	First and foremost,
00:09:48	this is going to cost
00:09:48	a lot more money
00:09:50	and a lot more staff time
00:09:51	for our boards of elections
00:09:51	that are already overworked.
00:09:54	It's going to be harder
00:09:54	on voters,
00:09:56	and it's not actually going
00:09:56	to increase security at all.
00:09:59	Any legislative proposal
00:09:59	needs to do the due
00:10:02	diligence of truly ensuring
00:10:02	that it's meeting the goal.
00:10:06	And a lot of the proposals
00:10:06	I've seen
00:10:09	doesn't would not change,
00:10:12	the security of elections,
00:10:13	but they would make them
00:10:13	more expensive
00:10:15	and more challenging
00:10:16	for boards of elections
00:10:16	and voters alike.
00:10:18	That bill that I referenced,
00:10:18	House Bill 374,
00:10:21	That bill that I referenced,
00:10:21	House Bill 374,
00:10:21	would allow the use of
00:10:21	hand-counting of ballots if,
00:10:25	would allow the use of
00:10:25	hand-counting of ballots if,
00:10:25	by rather than by machines.
00:10:28	If the Board of Elections
00:10:28	made that decision, county
00:10:30	commissioners
00:10:30	or voters made that decision.
00:10:32	It will require
00:10:32	nearly all voters
00:10:34	to have a driver's license
00:10:34	or state ID
00:10:36	when registering to vote
00:10:36	or voting by mail,
00:10:38	and would ban
00:10:38	boards of elections
00:10:39	from scanning early ballots
00:10:41	before the polls
00:10:41	close on Election Day.
00:10:43	Have you has the league
00:10:43	seen this bill,
00:10:45	and what are your thoughts
00:10:45	on it?
00:10:46	So again,
00:10:47	one of the challenges
00:10:47	with elections
00:10:50	is that they're
00:10:50	incredibly complex.
00:10:51	The way I like to say it
00:10:51	is, it's like a wedding,
00:10:54	but you know,
00:10:54	all the different details
00:10:55	of a wedding,
00:10:56	but it's a wedding
00:10:57	in every neighborhood
00:10:57	in Ohio on the same day.
00:11:00	in every neighborhood
00:11:00	in Ohio on the same day.
00:11:00	We can't make these wholesale
00:11:03	massive charges to election
00:11:03	changes to elections
00:11:06	without first thinking about
00:11:06	the unintended consequences.
00:11:11	And that bill has all kinds
00:11:11	of unintended
00:11:13	consequences in terms of cost
00:11:13	and challenges to the system,
00:11:17	consequences in terms of cost
00:11:17	and challenges to the system,
00:11:17	without making it more secure.
00:11:19	So one example would be,
00:11:22	this hand concept,
00:11:22	that's incredibly expensive.
00:11:26	Keep in mind
00:11:26	that the way it works today
00:11:26	is that there's a paper backup
00:11:30	that the way it works today
00:11:30	is that there's a paper backup
00:11:31	for every vote
00:11:31	counted on a machine,
00:11:34	for every vote
00:11:34	counted on a machine,
00:11:34	and so a voter can actually
00:11:36	check their paper backup
00:11:36	before they even leave.
00:11:39	check their paper backup
00:11:39	before they even leave.
00:11:39	And if, elections are close
00:11:42	and we need to do a recount,
00:11:42	we have those paper backups.
00:11:46	That's a very good way
00:11:46	right now
00:11:48	that's more efficient
00:11:48	for elections officials,
00:11:51	that's more efficient
00:11:51	for elections officials,
00:11:51	but has the backup
00:11:51	if we need it.
00:11:53	the great thing
00:11:53	about our system
00:11:55	that's unlike other states
00:11:55	is that, boards of elections
00:11:59	can, start processing,
00:12:02	basically verifying
00:12:02	the identity of absentee
00:12:05	basically verifying
00:12:05	the identity of absentee
00:12:05	ballots,
00:12:05	verifying the validity,
00:12:07	I should say, of absentee
00:12:07	ballots.
00:12:10	And then not counting. Right.
00:12:13	They just get everything
00:12:13	processed and then it takes,
00:12:16	They just get everything
00:12:16	processed and then it takes,
00:12:17	one Republican, one Democrat
00:12:19	to make those calculations
00:12:19	happen.
00:12:21	But, at the
00:12:22	beginning of the night,
00:12:22	when we start to see those
00:12:25	results come in, that's
00:12:25	from those absentee ballots.
00:12:28	If they had to wait
00:12:28	to open them, verify
00:12:31	the identity of the voters,
00:12:31	all those kinds of things,
00:12:34	the identity of the voters,
00:12:34	all those kinds of things,
00:12:34	it would be days and days
00:12:34	and days
00:12:36	till we would have an idea
00:12:36	of accurate vote counts.
00:12:39	And so what it does
00:12:41	is it creates more work
00:12:41	for boards of elections,
00:12:45	makes it harder
00:12:45	for reporters and voters
00:12:48	and everyone else
00:12:48	to know what the results are.
00:12:51	But it's not going to make
00:12:51	anything more secure.
00:12:53	We hear often that it's
00:12:55	the goal is to make it easy
00:12:55	to vote and hard to cheat.
00:12:57	Is it easy to vote in
00:12:57	hard to cheat in Ohio?
00:12:59	It really depends on who
00:12:59	you are.
00:13:00	It's certainly hard to cheat.
00:13:02	And I'm very proud
00:13:02	of the work, actually,
00:13:05	that the Secretary of State
00:13:05	has done,
00:13:06	that the league has advocated
00:13:06	for that.
00:13:08	Boards of elections,
00:13:10	work on to make sure
00:13:10	that there are safeguards.
00:13:13	Throughout the process,
00:13:13	cheaters are caught.
00:13:16	Throughout the process,
00:13:16	cheaters are caught.
00:13:16	It is very rare,
00:13:16	for someone to cheat.
00:13:20	In fact, something like voter
00:13:20	impersonation is unheard of.
00:13:24	This idea
00:13:24	that someone pretends
00:13:26	to be someone else and votes.
00:13:27	Usually it's things
00:13:29	like someone forgets
00:13:29	that they voted, absentee
00:13:32	and then they go on
00:13:32	election day.
00:13:34	Things like that
00:13:34	sometimes occur
00:13:36	with elderly, but
00:13:36	it's very hard to cheat it.
00:13:40	with elderly, but
00:13:40	it's very hard to cheat it.
00:13:40	It is also sometimes
00:13:40	hard to vote.
00:13:42	So especially now that we have
00:13:42	the strictest voter
00:13:45	ID in the country,
00:13:45	that particularly harms
00:13:47	people with disabilities
00:13:47	who may not drive,
00:13:50	the elderly, who may not drive
00:13:50	anymore, students who may
00:13:53	not want cars.
00:13:54	not want cars.
00:13:55	And so
00:13:56	these barriers does mean that
00:13:56	some Ohio
00:13:59	voters, have a harder time
00:13:59	getting to the ballot box.
00:14:03	And at the end of the day,
00:14:03	that's our job.
00:14:04	Our job is to make sure
00:14:06	that everyone
00:14:06	can have their voice heard.
00:14:08	But at the same time
00:14:08	that our elections are secure.
00:14:11	And that's a balance
00:14:12	that the secretary
00:14:12	of state, boards of elections
00:14:15	advocates like myself
00:14:15	and the legislature
00:14:18	needs to strive to.
00:14:19	And we need to be mindful
00:14:19	before we make changes.
00:14:22	The deadline to register to
00:14:22	vote in Ohio is October 7th.
00:14:25	The deadline to register to
00:14:25	vote in Ohio is October 7th.
00:14:25	And organizations
00:14:25	are sending out mailers
00:14:27	and conducting campaigns
00:14:29	trying to rack up new voter
00:14:29	registrations.
00:14:31	One of those
00:14:32	is the League of Women
00:14:32	Voters of Ohio,
00:14:34	and they're starting
00:14:34	at college campuses.
00:14:36	State House correspondent
00:14:36	Joe Ingles went to Delaware
00:14:39	to see one of those events.
00:14:40	Register to vote.
00:14:42	As Ohio Wesleyan students
00:14:42	walked to class this week,
00:14:46	As Ohio Wesleyan students
00:14:46	walked to class this week,
00:14:46	they saw a colorful 19ft
00:14:46	Airstream trailer.
00:14:50	they saw a colorful 19ft
00:14:50	Airstream trailer.
00:14:50	Music bubbles and volunteers
00:14:50	with clipboards
00:14:54	Music bubbles and volunteers
00:14:54	with clipboards
00:14:54	ready to register them
00:14:54	to vote.
00:14:56	The League of Women
00:14:56	Voters of Ohio
00:14:58	is taking its traveling voter
00:14:58	registration effort
00:15:01	is taking its traveling voter
00:15:01	registration effort
00:15:01	to 15 colleges
00:15:01	throughout the state before
00:15:04	the October 7th registration
00:15:04	deadline.
00:15:07	the October 7th registration
00:15:07	deadline.
00:15:07	Volunteers
00:15:07	are talking to students
00:15:09	about the state's new require
00:15:09	to show photo ID
00:15:13	about the state's new require
00:15:13	to show photo ID
00:15:13	when voting in person,
00:15:13	and are helping students
00:15:16	navigate the process
00:15:17	of getting absentee ballots
00:15:17	if they want them.
00:15:20	of getting absentee ballots
00:15:20	if they want them.
00:15:20	Ashley Beiser, co-director
00:15:20	of the Arneson Institute
00:15:24	for Practical Politics at Ohio
00:15:26	Wesleyan, says the university
00:15:26	is working
00:15:29	to accommodate students
00:15:29	who want to vote
00:15:31	and making sure
00:15:31	their questions are answered.
00:15:34	That's right.
00:15:34	So we're engaged in a couple
00:15:34	different kinds of things
00:15:37	sort of leading up
00:15:37	to the election.
00:15:39	One is obviously making sure
00:15:40	that students understand their
00:15:40	right to vote.
00:15:42	Whether that's here
00:15:42	in Delaware or in their home
00:15:45	states, making sure
00:15:45	that they have the ability
00:15:47	to get their absentee ballot
00:15:49	so that they can exercise that
00:15:49	right to vote.
00:15:51	But then also,
00:15:51	we're really invested in
00:15:53	making sure
00:15:54	that they have a good
00:15:55	understanding
00:15:55	of what the issues are
00:15:56	that are at stake
00:15:56	in the election,
00:15:58	so that when they go
00:15:58	into the polls or,
00:16:00	you know,
00:16:00	fill out their ballots,
00:16:01	that they,
00:16:02	have an understanding
00:16:03	of what they care about
00:16:03	and how the different
00:16:06	candidates fit with that.
00:16:07	On this day, sophomore
00:16:07	Ethan Sander is taking a break
00:16:11	from his three
00:16:11	majors and microbiology,
00:16:14	from his three
00:16:14	majors and microbiology,
00:16:14	free dentistry and psychology
00:16:14	to register to vote.
00:16:17	free dentistry and psychology
00:16:17	to register to vote.
00:16:18	He says his biggest issue
00:16:18	is protecting the environment.
00:16:21	He says his biggest issue
00:16:21	is protecting the environment.
00:16:21	Yeah, well, it's important for
00:16:21	especially the
00:16:23	younger generation
00:16:23	to get their voices
00:16:25	heard and to make sure,
00:16:25	that we are,
00:16:28	you know,
00:16:28	getting our voices heard
00:16:30	and that our opinion
00:16:30	is out there
00:16:31	and that
00:16:31	because
00:16:31	we do make a difference
00:16:33	as a younger generation and
00:16:34	and that that's something
00:16:34	that really needs
00:16:36	to be pushed more forward
00:16:36	both in college
00:16:39	and as you grow
00:16:39	into adulthood.
00:16:41	Senior Natalie Guyer
00:16:43	says human rights are her
00:16:43	big issue.
00:16:45	Definitely a lot of women's
00:16:45	rights issues
00:16:47	because that
00:16:47	directly affects me,
00:16:49	but also ones that don't
00:16:51	directly affect me,
00:16:51	like LGBTQ issues
00:16:53	and like issues
00:16:53	with people of color,
00:16:56	human rights
00:16:56	issues are also important.
00:16:58	For sophomore Gwendolyn
00:16:58	Archer Park.
00:17:01	I feel like a lot of women's
00:17:01	rights are very important
00:17:04	because I know
00:17:04	that's been kind
00:17:04	of stripped away lately
00:17:06	and like
00:17:07	questioning and also like
00:17:07	when it comes to social issues
00:17:10	and like
00:17:11	places like Gaza, that's
00:17:11	I think that's very important
00:17:13	to kind of talk
00:17:13	about as a community.
00:17:15	Freshman Daphne Nonaka,
00:17:15	Bruce says as a U.S.
00:17:19	citizen,
00:17:20	she wants to vote on issues
00:17:20	that she says
00:17:23	make people feel welcome
00:17:23	in this country.
00:17:26	Social issues
00:17:27	that have to do with racism,
00:17:27	sexism and gender issues.
00:17:31	I want everyone to feel safe,
00:17:31	happy and welcome in America.
00:17:34	Oh. Was.
00:17:35	Beiser says she knows college
00:17:37	students
00:17:37	are one of the hardest
00:17:39	voting blocks to get
00:17:39	fully engaged in the process.
00:17:42	voting blocks to get
00:17:42	fully engaged in the process.
00:17:43	I think we're pretty typical
00:17:43	in that sense.
00:17:46	Students are nervous
00:17:46	about talking about politics.
00:17:49	They don't love conflict.
00:17:52	And, so trying to help them
00:17:52	see how politics can actually
00:17:57	be important to their lives
00:17:57	is, is a hard challenge.
00:18:00	be important to their lives
00:18:00	is, is a hard challenge.
00:18:00	And so
00:18:00	but we're doing our best
00:18:02	to help them
00:18:02	see the stakes
00:18:02	in this election,
00:18:04	as well as the ways in which
00:18:04	they can get involved.
00:18:07	as well as the ways in which
00:18:07	they can get involved.
00:18:07	Exit polls from last year show
00:18:07	only about a third of
00:18:10	younger voters cast ballots
00:18:10	because of their schedules,
00:18:14	younger voters cast ballots
00:18:14	because of their schedules,
00:18:14	a lack of information
00:18:15	about how to do it,
00:18:15	or something else.
00:18:18	Some students say they know
00:18:18	it might be hard to energize
00:18:21	their peers to become involved
00:18:21	in the political process.
00:18:24	their peers to become involved
00:18:24	in the political process.
00:18:24	But Melody
00:18:24	Rebello says that difficulty
00:18:27	shouldn't be confused
00:18:27	with apathy of young voters.
00:18:30	shouldn't be confused
00:18:30	with apathy of young voters.
00:18:31	We do care.
00:18:32	A lot of us do care.
00:18:34	A lot of us do care.
00:18:36	I might
00:18:36	not be, as I know many people.
00:18:38	I myself might not be as vocal
00:18:38	as some people are,
00:18:41	I myself might not be as vocal
00:18:41	as some people are,
00:18:42	but I do care.
00:18:44	It's my life as well.
00:18:45	It's all of our lives.
00:18:47	So we.
00:18:50	We don't care
00:18:50	as much as people think.
00:18:52	We don't.
00:18:53	And it's in our hands
00:18:53	to make a change
00:18:56	in this world, no matter
00:18:56	what kind of change it is.
00:18:59	Joe Ingles,
00:18:59	statehouse news bureau.
00:19:02	Joe Ingles,
00:19:02	statehouse news bureau.
00:19:02	Busses are back on the streets
00:19:02	in Ohio carrying
00:19:04	both kids, going to classes
00:19:04	in the public school district
00:19:07	on the side of the bus,
00:19:08	as well as kids
00:19:08	in the district
00:19:10	who are going to private
00:19:10	or charter schools.
00:19:12	By law, districts have to
00:19:12	transport the latter group.
00:19:15	By law, districts have to
00:19:15	transport the latter group.
00:19:16	And that's getting more
00:19:16	challenging as taxpayer paid
00:19:18	vouchers have been expanded
00:19:18	to any family that wants them.
00:19:22	vouchers have been expanded
00:19:22	to any family that wants them.
00:19:22	And thousands of families
00:19:22	in the Columbus City Schools,
00:19:25	the state's largest district,
00:19:25	are taking advantage of them.
00:19:28	The district has to transport
00:19:28	37,000 kids,
00:19:31	The district has to transport
00:19:31	37,000 kids,
00:19:31	9000 of them in private
00:19:31	or charter schools,
00:19:34	and they go to 113 Columbus
00:19:34	City Schools buildings
00:19:37	and they go to 113 Columbus
00:19:37	City Schools buildings
00:19:37	and up to 167
00:19:37	nonpublic school buildings.
00:19:41	and up to 167
00:19:41	nonpublic school buildings.
00:19:41	The district has declared 1380
00:19:41	private and charter students
00:19:45	The district has declared 1380
00:19:45	private and charter students
00:19:45	transportation impractical,
00:19:45	based on one of six factors
00:19:49	such as their homes, distance
00:19:49	from the school,
00:19:51	or the cost of providing
00:19:51	that transportation.
00:19:54	On Thursday,
00:19:54	Republican Attorney General
00:19:56	Dave Yost filed a lawsuit
00:19:56	in the Ohio
00:19:57	Supreme Court
00:19:57	against the district
00:19:59	after issuing
00:19:59	an earlier warning
00:20:01	that it must resume bussing.
00:20:03	These students or
00:20:03	it will be breaking the law.
00:20:05	We've got kids, who are
00:20:05	having their plans disrupted.
00:20:10	We've got kids, who are
00:20:10	having their plans disrupted.
00:20:10	The solution of will
00:20:10	just come back to Columbus
00:20:13	City schools because,
00:20:13	you know, we're great.
00:20:16	City schools because,
00:20:16	you know, we're great.
00:20:16	The parents have already made
00:20:16	a decision that they want
00:20:19	to avail themselves
00:20:19	of one of other
00:20:21	the other options
00:20:21	that Ohio law allows.
00:20:24	the other options
00:20:24	that Ohio law allows.
00:20:25	And this kind of strong arm
00:20:25	tactic will not stand.
00:20:30	And this kind of strong arm
00:20:30	tactic will not stand.
00:20:30	But this battle showcases
00:20:32	a problem that's been going on
00:20:32	in districts
00:20:33	around the country
00:20:33	for the last four years.
00:20:36	And it's
00:20:36	getting more challenging
00:20:37	in Ohio as families
00:20:37	use vouchers.
00:20:39	It's a shortage of school bus
00:20:39	drivers like Ben Grace, who's
00:20:43	been driving a bus in Columbus
00:20:43	for 23 years.
00:20:46	been driving a bus in Columbus
00:20:46	for 23 years.
00:20:46	it is a very rewarding career.
00:20:49	I love to schedule Monday
00:20:49	through Friday.
00:20:51	I don't have to work
00:20:51	any weekends.
00:20:53	So that's a big plus.
00:20:55	Anita Roman
00:20:56	also loves the schedule
00:20:56	and how the job changes daily.
00:20:59	also loves the schedule
00:20:59	and how the job changes daily.
00:21:00	Every day is different.
00:21:00	Every day is different.
00:21:02	I mean, we've got an office
00:21:02	with the view guaranteed.
00:21:05	Office with the view.
00:21:05	Who can beat that?
00:21:07	And, the kids just every day
00:21:07	is just so, so much fun.
00:21:12	Like,
00:21:12	you don't know what's going
00:21:13	to come out of these kids
00:21:13	mouth.
00:21:15	And, you know, it's
00:21:16	it's like a little comedy show
00:21:16	with the kids, so it's fun.
00:21:20	it's like a little comedy show
00:21:20	with the kids, so it's fun.
00:21:20	And, you'll never be bored.
00:21:23	I promise you'll never be
00:21:23	bored working this job.
00:21:26	I promise you'll never be
00:21:26	bored working this job.
00:21:26	Roman and Grace
00:21:26	also train bus drivers,
00:21:29	but not as many
00:21:29	as the district needs.
00:21:31	The pandemic, retirements
00:21:31	and competition
00:21:34	from trucking companies
00:21:34	and delivery services
00:21:37	have shrunk
00:21:37	the number of drivers
00:21:39	who want to take on the task
00:21:40	of getting dozens of kids
00:21:40	to school every day.
00:21:43	of getting dozens of kids
00:21:43	to school every day.
00:21:43	Before Covid,
00:21:43	there were 760 bus drivers
00:21:46	for Columbus City Schools.
00:21:47	As of last week, there are 426
00:21:50	As of last week, there are 426
00:21:51	and more families
00:21:51	going to nonpublic schools.
00:21:53	Adds to the workload.
00:21:55	We look at what areas
00:21:55	we can offset the driver
00:21:59	shortages with
00:22:00	and we develop our routes
00:22:00	based on the staffing
00:22:03	that we have available.
00:22:04	And then we look
00:22:04	at the resources
00:22:06	that we have through
00:22:06	the legislature
00:22:08	and things of that nature
00:22:08	and the tools and the rules
00:22:11	and the guidelines
00:22:11	in a revised code
00:22:14	that gives us ways to combat
00:22:14	the shortage of drivers.
00:22:18	that gives us ways to combat
00:22:18	the shortage of drivers.
00:22:18	For instance,
00:22:18	they make sure all busses
00:22:20	are full, sometimes
00:22:20	with one bus doing two routes,
00:22:23	are full, sometimes
00:22:23	with one bus doing two routes,
00:22:23	which makes for long rides
00:22:23	for some kids.
00:22:25	And they've had to make
00:22:25	some tough calls.
00:22:27	Under state law,
00:22:29	we looked at the
00:22:30	ineligibility,
00:22:30	and that falls under 33, 2701
00:22:34	ineligibility,
00:22:34	and that falls under 33, 2701
00:22:34	where it deems that
00:22:34	if a charter nonpublic school
00:22:37	where it deems that
00:22:37	if a charter nonpublic school
00:22:37	is more than 30 minutes
00:22:37	by direct travel
00:22:40	from the school of assignment
00:22:40	for that public school,
00:22:42	and we had to start using
00:22:42	those as part of our tools
00:22:45	and we had to start using
00:22:45	those as part of our tools
00:22:46	to efficiently root
00:22:46	for the students
00:22:48	that we are 100% obligated
00:22:48	to provide transportation for.
00:22:51	that we are 100% obligated
00:22:51	to provide transportation for.
00:22:52	that means kids
00:22:52	within a two mile
00:22:53	radius of their schools,
00:22:53	public chartered or private,
00:22:56	are not offered
00:22:56	transportation.
00:22:58	And some charter
00:22:58	and private school parents
00:23:00	are getting money to help
00:23:00	get their kids to school.
00:23:03	are getting money to help
00:23:03	get their kids to school.
00:23:03	it starts out at, I believe
00:23:03	it's about 550, $152,
00:23:08	it starts out at, I believe
00:23:08	it's about 550, $152,
00:23:08	and the maximum amount
00:23:08	is about $1,121 or so.
00:23:12	and the maximum amount
00:23:12	is about $1,121 or so.
00:23:12	But some families say
00:23:12	they count on the bus
00:23:14	because they can't
00:23:14	take their kids,
00:23:16	or their kids don't feel safe
00:23:16	riding public transit.
00:23:19	or their kids don't feel safe
00:23:19	riding public transit.
00:23:19	It really is happening
00:23:19	all over the state.
00:23:22	Every school district
00:23:22	is taking a different approach
00:23:24	to this.
00:23:25	Some districts are taking
00:23:26	all of their high school
00:23:26	students
00:23:27	and putting them on
00:23:27	mass transit,
00:23:30	which relieves a big burden.
00:23:32	That, and many school
00:23:32	districts that I've worked
00:23:35	with, are changing
00:23:35	bell schedules
00:23:36	to increase route time
00:23:36	between schools.
00:23:39	to increase route time
00:23:39	between schools.
00:23:39	Doug Palmer
00:23:39	is the senior transportation
00:23:41	School Boards Association.
00:23:41	consultant for the Ohio
00:23:44	we're operating
00:23:45	in an environment
00:23:45	now where schools open up
00:23:48	in an environment
00:23:48	now where schools open up
00:23:48	often, you know, many schools,
00:23:48	there are districts
00:23:51	that have twice or three times
00:23:51	as many nonpublic buildings
00:23:55	to serve us now than they did
00:23:55	ten or 12 or 15 years ago.
00:23:59	So all of this has an impact
00:23:59	on how much a bus can do.
00:24:02	So all of this has an impact
00:24:02	on how much a bus can do.
00:24:02	Palmer and stuff
00:24:03	will say it's time
00:24:03	for a holistic approach
00:24:05	to the driver shortage,
00:24:07	bringing in districts,
00:24:07	private and charter schools
00:24:09	and lawmakers
00:24:11	who can control the money
00:24:11	that comes to schools.
00:24:13	And I really think
00:24:13	the collaboration between
00:24:16	nonpublic and public
00:24:18	schools really has to be at
00:24:18	the forefront of our thinking.
00:24:22	schools really has to be at
00:24:22	the forefront of our thinking.
00:24:22	We have to think
00:24:22	about this differently.
00:24:24	We want children on busses.
00:24:26	We don't want to eliminate
00:24:26	bus rides for children.
00:24:29	It's the safest way
00:24:29	to get to school.
00:24:31	back on the bus.
00:24:32	Anita Roman is happy to
00:24:32	recommend her career choice.
00:24:35	Anita Roman is happy to
00:24:35	recommend her career choice.
00:24:36	Well, here you're actually
00:24:36	being part of the community
00:24:41	Well, here you're actually
00:24:41	being part of the community
00:24:41	and you're helping a child
00:24:41	get their education.
00:24:45	and you're helping a child
00:24:45	get their education.
00:24:46	Some children may not have
00:24:46	a ride to school at all.
00:24:49	Some children may not have
00:24:49	a ride to school at all.
00:24:49	And so I think it's
00:24:49	very important to,
00:24:52	to make sure
00:24:52	that you can give back
00:24:54	and help a kid
00:24:54	in any way that you can.
00:24:57	and help a kid
00:24:57	in any way that you can.
00:24:58	A survey of districts done
00:24:58	for the Ohio School Boards
00:25:00	Association revealed around
00:25:00	7% report being fully
00:25:04	staffed with an adequate
00:25:04	number of substitute drivers.
00:25:07	staffed with an adequate
00:25:07	number of substitute drivers.
00:25:07	Nearly a third of districts
00:25:09	needs SOBs and extra trips
00:25:09	to transport all students.
00:25:12	needs SOBs and extra trips
00:25:12	to transport all students.
00:25:13	In about 13% of districts,
00:25:13	office
00:25:15	staff and mechanics
00:25:15	are driving regular routes.
00:25:18	staff and mechanics
00:25:18	are driving regular routes.
00:25:19	And about 9% of districts
00:25:20	say no solution to the bus
00:25:20	driver shortage is working.
00:25:23	say no solution to the bus
00:25:23	driver shortage is working.
00:25:24	And that is it for this week
00:25:24	for my colleagues
00:25:26	at the Statehouse News
00:25:26	Bureau of Ohio
00:25:27	Public Radio and Television.
00:25:27	Thanks for watching.
00:25:30	Please check out our website
00:25:30	at State news.org
00:25:32	or find us online by searching
00:25:32	State of Ohio Show.
00:25:35	or find us online by searching
00:25:35	State of Ohio Show.
00:25:35	You can also hear more
00:25:35	from the Bureau
00:25:37	on our podcast,
00:25:37	The Ohio State House scoop.
00:25:40	Look for it
00:25:40	every Monday morning
00:25:41	wherever
00:25:41	you get your podcasts.
00:25:43	And please join us again
00:25:43	next time here for the State
00:25:46	of Ohio.
00:25:47	of Ohio.
00:25:55	A. Support for the Statehouse
00:26:07	News Bureau
00:26:07	comes from Medical Mutual,
00:26:09	dedicated to the health
00:26:09	and well-being of Ohioans,
00:26:12	offering health insurance
00:26:12	plans, as well as dental,
00:26:14	vision and wellness programs
00:26:14	to help people
00:26:16	achieve their goals
00:26:16	and remain healthy.
00:26:18	More at Med mutual.com.
00:26:21	The law offices of Porter,
00:26:21	right, Morris and Arthur LLP.
00:26:24	Porter Wright is dedicated
00:26:24	to bringing inspired legal
00:26:27	outcomes to the Ohio business
00:26:27	community.
00:26:29	More at porterwright.com.
00:26:31	Porter Wright
00:26:31	inspired Every day
00:26:33	in Ohio Education Association,
00:26:33	representing 120,000
00:26:37	educators who are united
00:26:37	in their mission
00:26:39	to create the excellent
00:26:39	public schools.
00:26:41	Every child
00:26:41	deserves more at OHEA.org.
00:26:44	Every child
00:26:44	deserves more at OHEA.org.

Note : Transcripts are compiled from uncorrected captions