The NAACP and American Civil Liberties Union sued the state earlier this year over changes in Ohio’s voting schedule, saying they hit African-American voters the hardest.
One change eliminated the so-called “golden week,” in which people could register to vote and cast a ballot on the same day. The second set times with limited after-hours voting and no Sunday voting.
Under orders from a federal judge, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted has expanded those hours, but this lawsuit continues.
The brief from the Justice Department doesn’t ask for a specific ruling, but says the state of Ohio misinterpreted part of the Voting Rights Act in arguing against the lawsuit.
Matt McClellan, a spokesman for Husted’s office, maintains all voters have ample time to cast a ballot, and says the Justice Department shouldn’t be picking out Ohio when other states offer fewer early voting days.
The DOJ has also filed a brief in Wisconsin against a voter ID law there.
