The Ohio Chamber of Commerce has said that the employees and consumers of Ohio companies will use their voices to reinforce the principle that all Ohioans should be able to participate fully in the country’s democracy.

“The Ohio Chamber of Commerce believes the right to vote is a fundamental right and essential to a well-functioning democracy,” the Ohio Chamber of Commerce said in a statement signed by Julie Wagner Feasel, Vice President, Communications in response to the Republican Party majority-led Ohio House of Assembly consideration of changes to Ohio law regarding election procedures and voting.

“In addition, we believe economic freedom is essential for democracy to thrive, and that free enterprise thrives when democracy is secured.”

The Chamber said “as an organization representing the interests of the business community, the Ohio Chamber does not seek to determine what elections processes are best. However, the employees and consumers of Ohio companies expect that we will use our voices to reinforce the principle that all Ohioans should be able to participate fully in our democracy.”

“We know that, in the 2020 General Election, a record number of Ohioans voted. The 2018 election likewise saw record turnout for a gubernatorial election. This was due, in part, to recent, significant reforms to modernize our election system and increase opportunities to vote, and in part due to Ohio’s built-in bipartisan election oversight.”

It added that “broad participation is vital to fostering trust in the election process. Therefore, as lawmakers consider changes to Ohio law regarding election procedures and voting, the Ohio Chamber asks that they work across the aisle to ensure that voting in Ohio remains easy, safe, accurate, and secure.”