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Appeals Court Removes Ohio Voter Intimidation Rules

Federal court on Friday had placed restrictions on partisan poll watchers

Democrats sought new restrictions on voter intimidation in light of Donald Trump’s comments on poll watchers. (Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Democrats sought new restrictions on voter intimidation in light of Donald Trump’s comments on poll watchers. (Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call file photo)

The 6th U.S. Court of Appeals removed restrictions on partisan poll watchers in Ohio, handing a win to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

On Friday, a U.S. District Court judge said those who monitor election activity could not question voters within 100 feet of a polling place, block them from entering, or photograph them.

That ruling came after Democrats pushed for tightening rules after Trump’s comments that encouraged poll watchers to question voters.

But Trump campaign attorney Chad Readler argued on Saturday that the “plaintiff’s case rested on rhetoric, not evidence.”

The Ohio Democratic Party criticized the Sunday ruling and said it might appeal.

Democrats have previously taken voter intimidation claims to court in Nevada, Arizona, and Pennsylvania.

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