Federal Judge Blocks Ohio Restrictions On Ballot Drop Boxes

COLUMBUS, OH — A U.S. district court has ruled Ohio cannot limit the number of drop boxes available for the Nov. 3 general election.

Secretary of State Frank LaRose had initially allowed drop boxes only at county boards of election. Federal Judge Dan Polster ruled that LaRose's decision created a burden for more populous counties — like Cuyahoga, Franklin and Hamilton — and jeopardized residents' ability to vote, CNN reported.

"While it may be said that the 7,903 registered voters in Noble County may find a single drop box location sufficient, the record demonstrates that the 858,041 registered voters in Cuyahoga County will likely not," Polster wrote in his opinion.

Polster went on to chastise LaRose, noting that he has power under Ohio law to expand the number of drop boxes available for the election, but has refused to do so. The judge said LaRose's restrictions appeared arbitrary and he accused the secretary of state of refusing to address the problem.

LaRose asked Polster to stay his decision, so the secretary of state had time to appeal, but the judge refused. LaRose has argued Ohio's extensive absentee voting and early voting opportunities make it sufficiently easy to vote. Polster disagrees, saying those options gloss over the serious issues posed by COVID-19.