COLUMBUS, Ohio — As we get closer to November, there’s more friction between groups pushing to make voting more accessible. For years, Ohio’s ballot boxes have been a point of contention. Not just the fact that the state only allows one per county, but also who can place ballots inside them.

What You Need To Know

  • A state law specified a limited number of family members who could drop off a ballot for a voter

  • The list didn't include caregivers and grandchildren until recently due to a recent ruling 

  • LaRose says the recent ruling could potentially compromise election security 

Until this summer, a state law specified a limited number of family members could drop off a ballot for a voter, and that list didn’t include caregivers or grandchildren. But, a federal judge says that law violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Voting Rights Act.

“As you can imagine, someone who is disabled chooses to vote absentee or vote by mail and they don’t have family,” said Catherine Turcer, the Executive Director of Common Cause Ohio. “So they ask a caregiver to drop off their ballot.” 

Secretary of State Frank LaRose says he believes the accessibility could compromise election security.

“This is a really bad decision by a judge,” said LaRose. “It has called into question the security and really the ongoing utility of these drop boxes.” 

In the wake of the ruling, LaRose issued a directive forcing anyone who drops off someone else’s ballot to go inside the board of elections and sign a form that confirms they’re following the rules. LaRose says it’s to prevent “ballot harvesting.” That’s where someone passes off another individual’s ballot as their own.

“By simply signing that attestation,” LaRose said, “You’re protecting yourself against that kind of accusation.” 

Larose wants to go a step further, and is calling on state lawmakers to consider removing ballot boxes all together.

“It’s not likely that it happens before the 2024 election,” LaRose said. “So, this will likely be a conversation for next winter, next spring, when the General Assembly is back in session. But these have created a lot more questions and vulnerabilities than they’re probably worth.”

But where does Ohio stand compared to other states when it comes to election security? Case Western Reserve law professor Atiba Ellis says it’s near the top of the list.

“It’s fair to say that Ohio’s laws are some of the most restrictive in the country,” Ellis said. “In terms of narrowing the access to voting and requiring the highest number of demands of voters before they can exercise the ballot.”