Disability Rights Ohio calls for paid postage for Absentee Ballots

September 10, 2020

Disability Rights Ohio recently reached out to members of the Ohio Controlling Board to express the importance of prepaid postage for absentee ballots in the upcoming general election. The Ohio Secretary of State has requested $3M in state funding for prepaid return postage for absentee ballots. This funding would allow all Ohioans to exercise their right to participate in the election while staying safe from the dangers of COVID-19.

“Many voters with disabilities will be disproportionately disenfranchised in the November 2020 General Election if they are not able to submit absentee ballots by mail,” DRO Executive Director Kerstin Sjoberg said in the letter. “These barriers for voters with disabilities are inconsistent with the legal principles of equal access and opportunity under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).”

Ohioans with disabilities face barriers to voting, and without this funding we fear that many votes within our robust disability community would be suppressed. All voices deserve to be heard, regardless of age, race, or disability.

If you would like to contact the Controlling Board and express the importance of paid postage for absentee ballots and the need to increase access to voting, visit their website. The board will be voting on these measures on Monday, September 14th.

If you need help registering to vote, please visit our special web resource. For assistance with specific issues, please contact our Intake Department by clicking here or calling 614-466-7264 or 1-800-282-9181 and selecting option 2.