#AdvocacyMatters: Plan Your Vote
April 28, 2023 / #AdvocacyMatters
We’ve been trying to reach you about your….voting rights! Ohio’s newest election law, HB 458, makes voting harder for many Ohioans, especially those with disabilities. This new law limits they kind of ID you can use to vote and changed important deadlines for absentee voting. These changes create additional barriers to voting, especially for voters with disabilities.
While we can’t change the law before Election Day, we can try our best to get the word out about the barriers voters now face. The May 2nd election happens next Tuesday, so this weekend is the last time to make sure you have everything you need to secure your vote.
There are two areas of concern with this bill that you should know about. The first is having a valid form of photo ID for in-person voting. We’ve made a voter ID graphic to help you with these changes, which you can find here: New Voter ID Rules. Additionally, since this means obtaining a state ID, you can find our resource on that here: Obtaining a State ID card in Ohio.
Secondly, this new law affects the timeline for returning absentee ballots and voting early. Under the prior law, your ballot had to be postmarked the day before Election Day and received by the Board of Elections within ten days. Now, your ballot not only has to be postmarked on the day before Election Day, but it also has to be received by the Board of Elections within four days. Additionally, you can no longer vote early on Monday, May 1st, the day before this election.
We aren’t the only ones screaming into the megaphone about these changes. The ACLU of Ohio, VoteRiders, and various other voting and news organizations have not only spoken up about these changes but are uplifting our advocacy as well.
Here are some of the many news stories that have hosted this discussion and amplified our message:
While we appreciate all the news and voting organizations who have helped us spread our message, they only matter if they reach the most people. With a crucial election happening in a few days, we hope you’ll help us share this message. Your #AdvocacyMatters for voters with disabilities to receive a fair voting experience and have their vote count.
*Links in this story are bolded and underlined*