cleveland state ohio file federal court appeal thursday seek restore republican-backed limit early vote accelerate voter-registration measure see civil right group boost minority turnout u.s. district judge michael watson columbus rule tuesday ohio violate voters right reduce period ballot could cast election four weeks five weeks watson decision also strike ohio elimination seven-day window residents could register vote cast ballot week period know golden week ohio republican-controlled legislature abolish golden week shorten early vote seven days 2014 draw legal challenge american civil liberties union national association advancement color people watson side aclu naacp find change critics say directly limit opportunities minority participation elections violate vote right act 1965 unconstitutional thursday ohio secretary state jon husted republican petition 6th u.s. circuit court appeal review watson decision say scrap court-approved settlement state previously reach aclu naacp early vote settlement allow voters cast ballot multiple sundays lead presidential election provide additional even vote hours accord aclu document husted say golden week become administrative problem state elections officials increase potential voter fraud argue elimination broad bipartisan support ohio democratic party counter statement accuse republican state officials defend law clear data show impose stark discriminatory impact ohio african-american voters appeal come day ohio general assembly pass legislation would require resident organization post cash bond local court order keep poll station open late schedule election day judge ohio occasion order poll extend hours vote equipment problems major traffic issue severe weather include 2016 primaries opponents bill say violate 24th amendment u.s. constitution expressly prohibit imposition poll tax ohio appeal u.s. court decision favor early vote