#AdvocacyMatters: Seeing it through

November 8, 2024 / #AdvocacyMatters

At the end of another election cycle, we're proud to share our team's work to advocate for equal access to the voting process.

This year brought new barriers for disabled voters. Restrictions posed by Ohio House Bill 458 limited a voter's ability to choose who could provide assistance, holding that only immediate family members could assist in returning an absentee ballot for a voter with a disability. This law was challenged, and in a victory for voting rights, a Federal Court struck down these restrictions. The Federal Court made it clear that Ohio voters can select a person of their choosing to assist them.

This victory was followed by another disappointing obstacle for disabled voters. A Directive issued by the Ohio Secretary of State's Office required that anyone delivering an absentee ballot for another individual must enter the County Board of Election office and sign a legal attestation certifying that the person delivering the ballot complied with state law.

In response to rapidly changing information, DRO remained committed to engaging with disabled voters and community partners to ensure that voting information was current and readily available. This information was provided and updated through DRO's voting outreach efforts, as well as DRO's website, social media pages, and voting publications. While conducting widespread outreach to Ohio voters with disabilities to inform and educate them on the most up-to-date voting information, DRO also encouraged voters to plan their vote before the election.

DRO visited 34 facilities in 17 counties in Ohio to provide voting information and education to approximately 867 individuals. Locations visited included regional psychiatric hospitals, county jails, developmental centers, private intermediate care facilities, day programs, an adult residential facility, a mental health community center, nursing homes, private psychiatric hospitals, Centers for Independent Living (CILs), county board of developmental disabilities, and a college program designed to support and engage students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

DRO's advocates and attorneys also staffed a Voter Hotline throughout Election Day, fielding calls and answering questions throughout the day.

Throughout this work disabled voters, facilities, organizations, and programs visited by DRO were overwhelmingly welcoming, inquisitive, and excited to receive voting information. DRO looks forward to continued engagement to increase awareness and participation in the voting process for Ohioans with disabilities.

#AdvocacyMatters