A federal judge struck down parts of Ohio’s 2023 election law changes, stating they infringe upon the rights of certain voters.
The lawsuit, initiated by the League of Women Voters of Ohio, challenged the provisions of the law which severely limited assistance for disabled voters in handling their absentee ballots.
The contested law, effective from April 2023, prohibited anyone other than election officials, mail carriers, or a few qualifying family members from possessing or returning absentee ballots on behalf of disabled voters.
Judge Bridget Meehan Brennan, in her ruling, invoked Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act, which explicitly allows disabled voters to select a person of their choice to assist them with voting, including the return of their ballot.
Brennan declared that federal election law takes precedence over Ohio’s restrictive measures, thereby ordering the cessation of the 2023 law’s enforcement.
The League argued that many disabled voters are unable to travel to polling places or access mailboxes or drop boxes.
They also may not have family members available from the authorized list to provide the necessary assistance.
The restricted list included only spouses, parents, in-law parents, grandparents, siblings, adopted parents or children, stepparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, or nephews. Excluded were roommates, professional caregivers, and grandchildren, who often play significant roles in the lives of disabled individuals.
However, those people are not prohibited from placing the ballot in the mail box for mail carriers to receive.
The Ohio Secretary of State’s Office, a defendant in the case, expressed strong disagreement with the ruling.
Ben Kindel, media relations and press secretary for State Secretary Frank LaRose, stated, “We obviously disagree with the decision, and we’ll be consulting with our counsel, the attorney general, on next steps. This is a challenge to a law passed by the General Assembly, which has the exclusive authority to set the rules of Ohio’s elections, so they’ll likely be considering the court’s ruling here as well.”
On the other side, Freda Levenson, ACLU of Ohio legal director, hailed the ruling as a victory for democracy. “We are thrilled that the court ordered the state to stop denying Ohioans with disabilities the opportunity to cast their ballots via assistance from a trusted person of their choice,” she stated.
Election day, no mail ins except special cases, i.e. military and disabled. Stop the bullshit. we got along for many years by going to the polls on election day. let’s have an honest election for once in 35 years.
YES!!!
“The times, places and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature…” Article 1, Section 4.
IOW, the feds – including fed courts – have no say. Tell them to pound sand.