Bye Bye Issue 2 and hello same-day registration

It has just been called. Issue 2 has officially lost in Ohio. The votes are as follows: "yes"-33% "no"-63%. Now, the collective bargaining law (Senate Bill 5) that has been in effect since 1983, has been voted to be repealed and the middle class is celebrating. Public workers now once again have the power to bargain for changes from one contract to another instead of being subjected to the same policies, bad and good. They have even regained the power to strike. To me, it is mind boggling that this bill passed in the first place. What good is the first amendment if our right to freedom of speech (strike) can be taken away by law? It was my understanding that the law is supposed to protect our rights, not trample over them.

In addition to this, Same-Day Registration has been upheld in Maine despite the Republican controlled legislatures attempts to abolish it (under the pretense of voter fraud and stress to municipal clerks). Here is an excerpt form an article that addresses the issue of voter fraud:

"In 38 years of same-day voter registration, there have only been two cases of voter fraud, and those individuals were prosecuted and convicted," Bellows says. "So when you look at the facts, you're talking not about one voter whose vote might be negated, you're talking about tens of thousands of Mainers who would be denied their right to vote on Election Day."

Obviously, voter fraud doesn't seem to be much of an issue. With only two cases, a law that could potentially prevent thousands of people from voting in a state that has had same-day registration for over 40 years.... well that does seem a bit extreme. In my opinion, a law like this has no grounds in a representative democracy. People are supposed to vote. That is how our government runs, so why try to prevent people from voting?

Here is the link to a sight that gives a basic overview and a list of what issue 2 does.

http://www.cleveland.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/11/issue_2_early_ohio_election_re.html