With the November elections looming, debates over ballot drop boxes have intensified across various U.S. states and municipalities, reflecting deep divisions on their use and implications for voter access.

As the U.S. approaches Election Day, numerous states and localities grapple with the precise manner of appropriate implementation of the drop boxes, stirred by concerns over election security and recent legal rulings, as Just the News reports.

During the 2020 presidential elections, the use of ballot drop boxes surged as a safe alternative for voters amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

This method allowed voters to submit their absentee ballots directly into secure boxes distributed across various locations, aiming to reduce physical contact and potential virus transmission risks.

Ohio's Restrictive Moves Spark Controversy

In response to the growing popularity of ballot drop boxes, several regions have begun to reassess their utility and security. Ohio has become a focal point of this national debate.

Following a July federal court decision, Ohio's Secretary of State, Frank LaRose, issued a directive that tightened rules on how ballots could be returned, effectively limiting the process primarily to the voters themselves.

This directive was a consequence of a lawsuit by the League of Women Voters, which argued that previous absentee ballot return restrictions disproportionately affected disabled voters. However, the new regulations have been met with significant opposition. Ohio Democrats and the League of Women Voters have both criticized these changes, claiming they reduce the flexibility and accessibility of absentee voting.

Despite the controversy, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has expressed support for maintaining the current practices regarding ballot drop boxes, praising the state’s effective election management and dismissing the need for their removal. "I think we do a very good job in Ohio running elections. I think anyone who wants to change what we do has a burden of proof to show there’s a problem with what we do now," DeWine stated.

Legal and Practical Challenges in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania

The debate extends beyond Ohio. In Wisconsin, the municipalities of Brookfield and New Berlin have decided to eliminate the use of ballot drop boxes. This decision followed a state Supreme Court ruling that cast doubts on their legality and questioned their security measures.

Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, several counties including Westmoreland, Beaver, Butler, and Fayette have opted out of using ballot drop boxes for the upcoming election. Officials in these counties cited cost concerns and logistical challenges as primary reasons for their decision, indicating a financial and administrative strain in maintaining these boxes.

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray also issued a directive against the use of ballot drop boxes. He argued that they are not secure and not sanctioned by state law, presenting a clear stance against their implementation.

Contrarily, the County Clerks’ Association of Wyoming defended their use, interpreting state election code as permitting ballot drop boxes at the discretion of individual County Clerks.

Voices from the Frontlines of Election Management

Amid these legal skirmishes, statements from key figures highlight the ongoing battle over ballot access.

"This directive provides that an assistant delivering a ballot for another must sign an attestation that they comply with applicable state and federal law," explained LaRose. He added, "Voter-assisted ballots must be returned inside the board office, where the voter assistant will be asked to complete the attestation form."

LaRose also commented on the implications of the recent court ruling, suggesting it inadvertently encouraged practices that could undermine election security.

"The court ruling effectively creates an unintended loophole in Ohio’s ballot harvesting law that we must address. I suspect this is exactly the outcome the [League of Women Voters] intended. Under the guise of assisting the disabled, their legal strategy seeks to make Ohio’s elections less secure and more vulnerable to cheating, especially as it relates to the use of drop boxes," he asserted.

Conversely, Jen Miller of the League of Women Voters of Ohio highlighted the practical difficulties imposed by the new rules. "This would mean that lots of voters would have to be available during working hours to get their ballots back for loved ones. It’s an unnecessary hurdle that’s going to make it harder for voters and elections officials," Miller remarked.

As the November election draws nearer, the debate over ballot drop boxes continues to evolve, reflecting a complex interplay of legal, practical, and political considerations. Each state's approach to this issue may significantly influence voter turnout and the overall integrity of the election process.