The debate over ballot drop boxes is heating up as several states and municipalities grapple with decisions on whether to allow their use in the upcoming November election.
As the early voting period approaches in numerous jurisdictions, concerns about election security and the management of drop boxes have ignited debate across the country, as Just the News reports.
Ballot drop boxes, which became more common during the 2020 presidential election, are now at the center of legal and political discussions. Some states and municipalities are considering new restrictions, while others are opting to ban them altogether as they weigh concerns about security, legality, and practical implementation.
In Ohio, Secretary of State Frank LaRose recently issued a directive requiring that voters return their own absentee ballots via drop boxes. This directive came after a federal court partially struck down a state law on absentee voting for disabled individuals, a decision spurred by a lawsuit from the League of Women Voters of Ohio. The lawsuit aimed to protect the voting rights of those who need assistance.
LaRose's directive also mandates that assistants delivering ballots for others sign a legal attestation. In a letter to Republican leaders in the state legislature, he urged them to consider removing ballot drop boxes altogether, citing security concerns. However, the directive has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and voting rights groups. Jen Miller, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio, expressed concern, arguing that the directive places an unnecessary burden on voters.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, however, has dismissed the idea of banning ballot drop boxes. DeWine emphasized that Ohio's election system is already robust and secure. He argued that any proposed changes to the state's voting procedures would need substantial evidence to justify them.
Meanwhile, Ohio remains one of the key battlegrounds where election officials are facing pressure from both sides of the political aisle. The focus is on how the use of drop boxes might impact the election's accessibility and security.
In Wisconsin, the legal landscape surrounding drop boxes took another turn when the state Supreme Court ruled in July to permit their use. This decision overturned a prior 2022 ruling that had banned drop boxes, much to the relief of voting rights advocates.
Despite the court ruling, two municipalities in Waukesha County -- Brookfield and New Berlin -- voted to ban drop boxes locally. Brookfield officials pointed to extended absentee voting hours and options for drive-up voting for disabled voters as reasons for their decision, asserting that the drop boxes were no longer necessary. In New Berlin, officials cited logistical and resource concerns, arguing that managing ballot drop boxes created more hassle than it was worth. As a result, both towns will go forward without drop boxes for the November election, leaving voters to use alternative absentee voting methods.
The debate is also playing out in Pennsylvania, where several counties have chosen not to use drop boxes in the upcoming election. Westmoreland County made this decision as early as March, pointing to the high costs associated with operating and transporting ballots from the boxes.
Other counties, including Beaver, Butler, and Fayette, have also opted out, citing similar concerns. This decision has sparked conversations among Pennsylvania voters about the impact it will have on absentee and early voting participation in those areas. The absence of drop boxes could place greater pressure on other voting systems, as county officials aim to maintain election security while managing the costs of the process.
In Wyoming, Secretary of State Chuck Gray has taken a firm stance against drop boxes. In June, Gray rescinded a previous directive that allowed for their use, stating that they are neither safe nor secure according to the Wyoming Election Code. He has also argued that drop boxes do not have a statutory basis for absentee voting.
Gray’s decision was met with opposition from the County Clerks’ Association of Wyoming. The association’s president, Malcolm Ervin, countered that the election code permits the use of drop boxes at the discretion of individual county clerks. He also expressed frustration with the lack of legislative clarity on the matter. Gray remains resolute in his belief that drop boxes should not be part of Wyoming’s future elections, citing the need for security and trust in the process.
