A federal judge in Cleveland has ruled against a portion of Ohio's 2023 election law that restricted assistance for voters with disabilities in casting absentee ballots. The law, supported by Republicans, had faced criticism from voting rights groups for its limitations on who could help individuals with disabilities deliver their ballots.
The court's decision, issued on Monday, was hailed as a victory for democracy and voters by voting advocates. The ruling allows Ohioans with disabilities to have the option of casting their ballots with the assistance of a trusted individual of their choice, rather than being restricted to only a few qualifying family members.
The lawsuit challenging the law was filed by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and a voter named Jennifer Kucera, who has a form of muscular dystrophy. They argued that the law violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by imposing unnecessary restrictions on ballot assistance.
One of the contested provisions of the law made it a felony for anyone other than an election official or mail carrier to possess or return the absentee ballot of a voter with a disability, unless the helper was a close relative. Supporters of the law claimed it was necessary to safeguard election integrity and address concerns about voter confidence, particularly in the wake of baseless claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
Voting rights advocates in Ohio emphasized that many voters with disabilities face challenges in accessing polling places, mailboxes, or ballot drop boxes, making assistance crucial for their participation in the electoral process. The court's ruling is seen as a step towards ensuring greater inclusivity and accessibility in Ohio's elections.
