Military groups oppose Obama campaign Ohio lawsuit

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Fifteen military groups are opposing a federal lawsuit in Ohio brought by President Barack Obama's campaign because they say it could threaten voter protections afforded to service members, such as the extended time they have to cast a ballot.

AMVETS, the National Guard Association of the United States, the Association of the U.S. Army and other organizations asked a judge late Wednesday to dismiss the lawsuit.

The military groups say federal and state law recognizes that service members need extra time to cast their ballots. They say they fear the precedent that could be set if a court finds that military voters shouldn't be treated differently than other voters.

"Efforts to facilitate and maximize military voting should be welcomed, not viewed with constitutional suspicion," the groups said in a court filing that seeks to intervene in the case. (Full Story)