Columbus, OH — Vivek Ramaswamy released the following statement after today’s decision by the Seneca County Board of Elections to rescind a previous resolution that would have banned anyone who advocates against the use of voting machines from serving as an election manager.
“I applaud the Seneca County Board of Elections for rescinding its previously unconstitutional resolution. As I argued in The Wall Street Journal earlier this month, this is a victory for the First Amendment. Thank you to the people of Seneca County for standing up for free speech. This decision reaffirms a fundamental truth: no government body has the authority to impose unconstitutional loyalty tests on American citizens. As governor, I will always stand with the people of our state against government overreach, no matter which political party it comes from, and fight to protect the constitutional freedoms that make our country the best in the world.” – Vivek Ramaswamy, Candidate for Governor of Ohio
TIMELINE
August 26: Seneca County Board of Elections approves a motion blocking otherwise eligible Ohioans from serving as poll managers.
September 10: The Wall Street Journal publishes an op-ed by Vivek Ramaswamy arguing that preventing Ohioans who oppose electronic voting machines from working as a poll manager is a clear violation of the First Amendment.
September 15: Vivek releases statement reiterating his strong opposition to the resolution and committed to work with residents of Seneca County to take legal action if the Board of Elections failed to reverse its decision.
September 19: Vivek announces he would attend the Seneca County Board of Elections meeting on September 23 to urge the board to rescind its resolution.
September 23: Vivek provides public comment at the Seneca County Board of Elections meeting; Board of Elections votes to rescind its unconstitutional resolution.