ACLU of Ohio Condemns Signing of Anti-Democratic Bill, SB 293, by Governor DeWine

COLUMBUS, OH - On December 19, Governor DeWine signed into law Senate Bill 293, anti-democratic legislation that would close the post-election window for mailed ballots to be delivered to the Board of Elections. The bill also includes a litany of voting restrictions that place undue burdens on elections officials and voters alike. SB 293 will be detrimental to Ohio’s democratic processes, requiring redundant documentation, the purging of eligible voters, and an increase in the number of provisional ballots.

The ACLU of Ohio condemns the signing by Governor DeWine:

“Governor DeWine’s decision to sign SB 293 did nothing to advance the integrity of elections. To the contrary, it created unnecessary barriers for eligible voters to cast their ballots, while trammeling our already overworked and under-supported Boards of Elections. Introduced just over two months ago, this legislation was rushed haphazardly through the committee process without adequate time for public comment or critical input from Elections Officials. Hundreds of thousands of Ohio voters rely on vote-by-mail, especially elderly and rural voters, those with mobility issues or other disabilities, and voters with limited transportation.

Rather than increasing voter accessibility and ensuring every eligible Ohioan can cast their ballot, our lawmakers continue to manufacture ‘solutions’ to nonexistent problems, which only leads to further voter suppression. SB 293’s grab bag of unfunded mandates, specifically its voter purge provisions, are bad policy, dangerous, and unlawful. They will lead to wrongful removals of eligible voters and are in violation of federal law. The ACLU of Ohio condemns SB 293 and the Governor’s decision to sign it. We will remain steadfast in our advocacy for all eligible Ohio voters.”