The Ohio Democratic Party has filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Frank LaRose over his directive limiting the number of ballot drop boxes in the state. LaRose had previously issued a directive allowing only one drop box per county for the upcoming general election. However, the Democratic Party argues that this directive disproportionately affects large urban counties with high populations, where voters may face challenges in accessing the drop box.
The lawsuit claims that LaRose’s directive violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution, as well as Ohio’s laws regarding the administration of elections. The Democratic Party argues that voters in counties like Cuyahoga, Franklin, and Hamilton, which are home to major cities like Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, would face longer distances and wait times to access a drop box compared to voters in smaller, rural counties.
The lawsuit comes amid a contentious election season marked by concerns over voter suppression and mail-in voting. Democrats have criticized Republican officials for what they see as efforts to restrict access to voting, particularly in urban areas where Democratic voters are more concentrated. LaRose, a Republican, has defended his directive as a way to maintain uniformity and security in the state’s election process.
In response to the lawsuit, LaRose’s office has stated that they are confident in the legality of the directive and will vigorously defend it in court. The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for how Ohioans are able to vote in the upcoming general election, as well as broader implications for voting rights and access in the state.
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