Current:Home > FinanceDemocrats challenge Ohio order preventing drop-box use for those helping voters with disabilities-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
Democrats challenge Ohio order preventing drop-box use for those helping voters with disabilities
lotradecoin deposit and withdrawal fees View Date:2024-12-26 05:20:04
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Democratic Party and two affected voters sued the state’s Republican elections chief on Friday over his recent directive preventing the use of drop boxes by people helping voters with disabilities.
The lawsuit, filed at the Ohio Supreme Court, says Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s order violates protections for voters with disabilities that exist in state law, the state constitution and the federal Voting Rights Act.
“Frank LaRose’s illegal attempt to deprive Ohioans of their right to return their ballot at a drop box with assistance is in violation of both Ohio and federal law,” party chair Liz Walters said in a statement. “The Ohio Democratic Party alongside Ohioans impacted by LaRose’s illegal directive are taking every action necessary to protect the constitutional right of every Ohioan to participate in our democracy.”
LaRose issued the directive after a federal judge struck down portions of Ohio’s sweeping 2023 election law in July that pertained to the issue. The affected provisions had prohibited anyone but a few qualifying family members from helping people with disabilities deliver their ballots, thus excluding potential helpers such as professional caregivers, roommates, in-laws and grandchildren.
LaRose’s order allows those additional individuals to help voters with disabilities deliver their ballots, but it requires them to sign an attestation inside the board of elections office and during operating hours.
The lawsuit says those conditions subject absentee voters and their assistants to “new hurdles to voting,” and also mean that “all voters will be subjected to longer lines and wait times at their board of elections offices.”
A message was left with LaRose’s office seeking comment.
In his directive, LaRose said that he was imposing the attestation rule to prevent “ballot harvesting,” a practice in which a person attempts to collect and return someone else’s absentee ballot “without accountability.” That’s why he said that the only person who can use a drop box is the voter.
In the new lawsuit, the Democratic Party argued that federal law allows voters with disabilities to have a person of their choice aid them in returning their ballots, while Ohio law broadly allows voters to have certain, delineated family members do the same. “Neither imposes special attestation burdens to do so,” the lawsuit said.
veryGood! (79995)
Related
- Democrats try to block Green Party from presidential ballot in Wisconsin, citing legal issues
- WayV reflects on youth and growth in second studio album: 'It's a new start for us'
- Baton Rouge police officer arrested in deadly crash, allegedly ran red light at 79 mph
- Company charged in 2018 blast that leveled home and hurt 3, including 4-year-old boy
- 'Alien: Romulus' movie review: Familiar sci-fi squirms get a sheen of freshness
- Kenya is raising passenger fares on a Chinese-built train as it struggles to repay record debts
- 'Selling Sunset' returns for 7th season: Release date, cast, trailer, how to watch
- Florida attorney general, against criticism, seeks to keep abortion rights amendment off 2024 ballot
- What to stream: Post Malone goes country, Sydney Sweeney plays a nun and Madden 25 hits the field
- Jason Aldean stands behind 'Try That in a Small Town' amid controversy: 'I don't feel bad'
Ranking
- Lady Gaga’s Brunette Hair Transformation Will Have You Applauding
- Gunman arrested after taking at least 1 hostage at post office in Japan
- Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged for a second straight meeting
- Bulgaria expels Russian journalist as an alleged threat to national security
- New York county signs controversial mask ban meant to hide people's identities in public
- Chic and Practical Ways to Store Thanksgiving Leftovers
- Newspaper publisher and reporter arrested and accused of revealing grand jury information
- Tim Scott secures spot in third GOP debate following campaign strategy overhaul
Recommendation
-
Andrew Shue's Sister Elisabeth Shares Rare Update on His Life Amid Marilee Fiebig Romance
-
Kim Kardashian's Son Saint West Debuts Buzzed Hair and Tattoo Look for Halloween
-
Mother, son charged with kidnapping after police say they took a teenager to Oregon for an abortion
-
5 Things podcast: One Israeli and one Palestinian cry together for peace
-
Get 10 free boneless wings with your order at Buffalo Wild Wings: How to get the deal
-
Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin dunks on Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher as only Kiffin can
-
RHOBH's Kyle Richards Reveals Secret About Mauricio Umansky Amid Marriage Troubles
-
Only debate of Mississippi governor’s race brings insults and interruptions from Reeves and Presley