The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling about an early voting period in Ohio known as “Golden Week.” The five-day period had allowed people to register to vote and cast ballots at the same time. It was first introduced in 2005, after voters complained about long lines at the polls the year before.
In 2014, Governor John Kasich eliminated Golden Week by signing a law that moved the first day of early voting to after the voter registration deadline. The Ohio Democratic Party filed a lawsuit to restore Golden Week, arguing that it disproportionately affected black voters, who had taken advantage of the early voting period.
The Democrats won at the district court level, but the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 against them, upholding the law that eliminated Golden Week. The Ohio Democratic Party then went to the Supreme Court, requesting a stay on the ruling until after the 2016 election, which would keep Golden Week alive for the time being.
On Tuesday, the Court denied the request for a stay, so Golden Week will not be reinstated.
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