Amy Hansen / StateImpact Ohio
Some Democratic state lawmakers say they might vote against the proposed transportation budget because of a provision they say would restrict voting rights by making it more difficult for out-of-state college students to vote in Ohio.The provision in the budget says to vote in Ohio, you have to register your car here, if you have one, and get an Ohio driver’s license.Democrats say it is intimidation of college students and a violation of the federal voting rights act.But John Fortney with the Senate Republicans said it merely lays down residency requirements for all Ohioans, not just college students, and it’s not intimidation as Democrats claim.“They are just not being honest with Ohioans," he said. "This is strictly a residency issue.”But Rep. Kathleen Clyde, a Kent Democrat, said if the issue centered on residency, students should then receive in-state tuition, which would allow out-of-state students to attend college in Ohio at a greatly reduced rate.But Clyde said lawmakers are not proposing that as part of this plan.Democrats said they may vote against the transportation budget if the provision isn’t removed.