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Excellence and Expertise Oxford and Beyond

HWC Consultant Pens and Publishes Articles on Restrictive Ohio Voting Laws

In the wake of new Ohio laws that restrict voting, especially for out of state college students,  Howe Writing Center (HWC) writing consultant and intrepid Miami Student reporter Meredith Perkins has published three articles highlighting the laws and how they impact students exercising their right to vote.

Excellence and Expertise Oxford and Beyond

HWC Consultant Pens and Publishes Articles on Restrictive Ohio Voting Laws

In the wake of new Ohio laws that restrict voting, especially for out of state college students,  Howe Writing Center (HWC) writing consultant and intrepid Miami Student reporter Meredith Perkins has published three articles highlighting the laws and how they impact students exercising their right to vote.

Meredith Perkins is a sophomore Diplomacy & Global Politics and Creative Writing major with minors in French and History. Perkins was inspired to write on the topic after attending a presentation on HB 458 by Dr. Elizabeth Wardle, director of the Howe Center for Writing Excellence.

“After her presentation,” Perkins writes, “I spoke with her about the changes and she gave me a helpful handout that inspired further research about HB 458. As a student journalist, I had prior experience writing Op-Eds for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and my weekly Miami Student column, so I was inspired to use my writing skills to create more awareness among Ohio voters.” Perkins was especially inspired by her status as an out-of-state student and how the new Ohio voting laws would impact her and her contemporaries. “Being an out-of-state student, these laws affected populations like me immensely,” she writes, “so I wanted to use my voice to help other Ohioans who might struggle to navigate the complicated legislation.”

Perkins also emphasizes that these voting laws are a nonpartisan issue that impacts all voters, not just specific political parties. “Voter ID laws are ineffective and unnecessary, and the politicization of voting access is deeply frustrating,” she writes. “Lower voter turnout doesn't help either party, just like how higher voter turnout doesn't disproportionately help either party. Unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud threaten the legitimacy of the electoral system and scare the public into thinking their vote might not matter, but I want people to know the election process is secure and that every vote should count.”

Another important reason Perkins writes on voter ID laws is to spread awareness of the issue. “Ohio doesn't have widespread voter fraud, and voter ID laws don't actually deter real fraud in the first place,” she writes. “While debate exists surrounding whether voter ID laws actually significantly lower voter turnout, the real issue with voter ID laws is the fact that it adds another step to an already-secure voting process when we don't need this step in the first place.” Perkins posits that adding even more steps and obstacles to the voting process will deter voters and disenfranchise them further.

Perkins also suggests ways that voters can take action in response to these voting laws. “A great thing to do is to educate yourself and your friends about what exactly the voting laws are in your area,” she writes. “By staying informed, you can make sure your voice gets heard. You can volunteer with local organizations like the League of Women Voters or — even simpler — just start a conversation with your friends to make sure they have a plan to vote. You can also call your legislators to protest HB 458 if you believe this policy is disenfranchising voters.”

Perkins’ work can be found published in the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and The Miami Student. You can read more by clicking the links below:

All members of the Miami community are invited to an educational, nonpartisan event, Act Now to Protect Democracy, on May 4th, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., in the Howe Center for Writing Excellence in King Library. The event is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Oxford and the Wilks Institute for Leadership and Service  Attendees can learn more about the voting laws as well as other legislation currently being discussed in Columbus, and learn how to take action. Food and prizes provided, and no RSVP needed.