Ohio Drop Box Limitations Challenge

Petition filed by the Ohio Democratic Party and two voters against Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) challenging the secretary’s recent directive restricting the use of drop boxes for authorized individuals returning absentee ballots on behalf of a family member or voters with disabilities. In August 2024, the secretary released Directive 2024-21 to state election officials that requires authorized individuals  who deliver an absentee ballot on behalf of a family member or a voter with a disability to sign a statement inside of the board of elections office confirming that they are lawfully returning the ballot. The directive also states that “only a voter’s personal ballot may be returned via drop box,” meaning authorized individuals who were once able to deliver absentee ballots on behalf of family or a voter with a disability via drop box must now take the additional step of signing a statement in-person at the board of elections office. The plaintiffs claim this directive violates Ohio law, the Ohio Constitution and Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act. They ask the Ohio Supreme Court to order the secretary to rescind Directive 2024-21 and to instruct election officials to accept absentee ballots from authorized family members and assistants submitted via drop boxes without a signed attestation.

RESULT: On Oct. 15, 2024, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled against the plaintiffs. Authorized individuals will not be allowed to use the state’s drop boxes to deliver absentee ballots on behalf of a family member or voter with a disability in the November 2024 general election.

Last updated: October 15, 2024 11:19 am EST