Ohio Secretary of State and voters tangle over absentee ballot rules on eve of early vote

Ohioans around the state will begin lining up at their county election boards to cast their ballots in 2024 general election Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Ohio Democratic Party and two voters are facing off against the Secretary of State over a directive requiring people dropping off someone else’s ballot to sign an attestation that they are complying with state law.

The controversy goes back to a federal case filed late last year by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and disability rights advocate Jennifer Kucera. That case argued Ohio’s newly-passed restrictions on who could return absentee ballots violates federal law, which allows people with disabilities to get help returning ballots from anyone other than their employer or union rep. A federal judge agreed and granted an injunction on Ohio’s restrictions for disabled voters.

Rather than accept that carve out, Secretary of State Frank LaRose issued a directive requiring anyone returning someone else’s ballot — regardless of their relation — to sign a form stating they’re complying with state law.

The state supreme court laid out a rapid timeline for the lawsuit on the eve of early voting. Since that case was filed a week and a half ago, three justices have recused themselves, the Ohio Republican Party has filed to intervene, the League of Women Voters of Ohio has filed an amicus brief and the Secretary of State has filed his brief in response to the complaint.




https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/10/07/ohio-secretary-of-state-and-voters-tangle-over-absentee-ballot-rules-on-eve-of-early-vote/