Relatives and friends delivering ballots for voters with disabilities should be allowed to use drop boxes, according to a lawsuit filed Friday by the Ohio Democratic Party and two voters.
The lawsuit challenges a new directive from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose , which requires relatives delivering ballots to sign a form inside a county boards of elections office during operating hours. This prevents them from using drop boxes stationed outside county boards of elections.
The directive came after a federal judge ruled in July that Ohio’s election law violated the rights of people with disabilities by limiting who could drop off their ballots.
More: Ohio election law violates rights of voters with disabilities, federal judge says
Last week, LaRose’s office clarified that boards of elections were “highly encouraged” to create a drive-through ballot drop-off option, especially during high turnout times. This option must be staffed by at least one Republican and one Democrat, making it unlikely that the service will be offered 24 hours a day, according to the lawsuit.