Anti-Voter Fraud Billboards In Ohio And Wisconsin Removed After Claims Of Voter Suppression

Anti-voter fraud billboards in Ohio and Wisconsin are in the process of being removed due to complaints about voter suppression. A total of 140 billboards were determined to be in violation of the sign company’s policy mandating that political-themed advertisements must not be posted by anonymous customers.

The billboards depicted a large judge’s gavel image and the test, “Voter Fraud is a Felony.” The signs in Wisconsin and Ohio also noted the punishments for engaging in such crimes. Critics of the political advertisements reportedly feel that the signs were intended as a form of voter suppression and were allegedly placed primarily in minority communities.

Ohio State Senator Nina Turner had this to say about the anti-voter fraud signs:

“The billboard is nothing but a symbol of pure, unadulterated voter suppression to target an African American community.”

Clear Channel Outdoor has declined to name the customer who rented the billboard space, but did note that is was a private family foundation. Crews began taking down 60 signs in the Columbus and Cleveland areas in Ohio on Monday. A total of 85 signs in Milwaukee are also coming down this week, NewsNet5 notes.

The billboard company decided to hang 10 signs in the Cleveland area which read, “Voting is a Right. Not a Crime!” as an alleged response to the outcry about the voter fraud advertisements. Cleveland City Councilwoman, Phyllis Cleveland, was one of the most outspoken opponents to the signs, which she claims related to voter suppression. Although the signs will soon be gone, the Ohio politician still wants to know who ordered the advertisement, according to the Huffington Post.