In a recent federal court ruling, Judge Bridget Meehan Brennan struck down a provision in Ohio’s voting law that restricted who could deliver sealed absentee ballots. The legislation, House Bill 458 of the 134th General Assembly, limited ballot delivery to specific family members, excluding caregivers, facility employees, and other non-relative helpers. Advocates, like Barbara Friedman Yaksic, raised concerns about the impact on voters with disabilities, who may rely on non-family members for assistance. The League of Women Voters of Ohio and the ACLU filed a lawsuit, arguing that the law violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Voting Rights Act.
While legislators claimed the law aimed to prevent ballot harvesting, critics believe it was designed to disenfranchise certain voters. Despite concerns of voter fraud, there is no evidence of widespread issues. The ruling by Judge Brennan is seen as a victory for advocates like Yaksic, who emphasize the importance of enabling all eligible voters to exercise their rights.
The defendants in the case, including the attorney general’s office and the secretary of state’s office, are considering their options following the court’s decision. The fight for fair voting rights continues in Ohio, with advocates pushing for anti-gerrymandering reform to hold lawmakers accountable. Moving forward, the focus remains on ensuring equitable access to the ballot box for all Ohioans, including those with disabilities.
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