Secretary Brunner Makes Elections Recommendations in New Report

Wednesday, 22 April 2009 00:00

Press Release from Ohio Secretary of State Brunner

Columbus, OH - Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner released Wednesday to Gov. Ted Strickland and the Ohio General Assembly a cost-effective blueprint for enhancing Ohio’s elections. The recommendations resulted from a several months-long bipartisan process, including the Ohio Elections Summit and Conference.

The Secretary of State’s report, “Elections Enhancements for Ohio,” draws heavily from the final report from Mr. Lawrence Norden from the Brennan Center for Justice, as well as specific recommendations from the Ohio Association of Elections Officials, the County Commissioners Association of Ohio, and experienced elections administrators with the Secretary of State’s office.

"I am convinced that the recommendations presented in this report are a means to build on the successes of the 2008 presidential election while enhancing election administration for the future. Thanks to a deliberative, months-long process, we were able to develop broad, bipartisan agreement on a host of vital elections enhancements for Ohio,” Secretary Brunner said.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT “ELECTIONS ENHANCEMENTS FOR OHIO"

“Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner has been a leader on the issue of election reform. Her approach, through a bipartisan and comprehensive elections summit and conference and working with election officials, has led to recommendations for real change.”

-Tom McCabe, Director of the Mahoning County Board of Elections

“Election reform must be thoughtful and deliberate. Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner is to be commended for her leadership in partnering with the respected Brennan Center for Justice, elections officials and many others on this report. It should be given strong consideration by Gov. Ted Strickland and legislative leaders.”

-Sally Krisel, Director of the Hamilton County Board of Elections

“The format of the Elections Conference was open and honest in the best tradition of a transparent process. Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner brought together experts from the elections world, academics, lawmakers and others to create an incubator for positive change.”

-Kelly Pallante, Director of the Trumbull County Board of Elections

“As she has with many of her efforts, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner’s Elections Conference showed that a transparent process works.

Her work with the Brennan Center for Justice shows that true election reform must be borne out of a comprehensive and bipartisan process.”

-Betty L. McGary, Director of the Butler County Board of Elections

“The Elections Summit and Elections Conference organized by Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner have given us a great opportunity to inspire support of election improvements and innovations for the enhancement of future elections in Ohio.”

-Dale H. Fellows, Member, Lake County Board of Elections.

“The Elections Conference that was held in March was a continuation of trying to look at how to streamline the elections process while maintaining the integrity of the election system and increasing voter participation.”

-Duane Feher, Deputy Director of the Ashtabula County Board of Elections

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