COLUMBUS– Today, the Ohio Voters Rights Coalition (OVRC) issued the following statement in support of Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s request of the Controlling Board to authorize his office to use internal funding to pre-pay return postage for absentee ballots:

"For months the OVRC has been advocating to make Ohio’s absentee voting system easier and more user-friendly. Secretary LaRose’s request to use his own office’s funds to pre-pay return postage for absentee ballots will do just that. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we know more Ohioans than ever will be voting by mail this election; many of whom who have never done so before. Forcing Ohioans to pay out of pocket to cast their absentee ballot is just wrong.

We are calling on the Ohio Controlling Board to support Secretary LaRose in his effort to provide pre-paid return postage for absentee ballots. Removing this monetary barrier is good for voter safety, good for voter access, and good for democracy itself. Voters deserve to have safe and accessible voting options this November. Approving Secretary LaRose’s request will move Ohio one step closer to having an election of which voters can be proud."