June 18, 2024
Yesterday, the United States filed a statement of interest (SOI) in League of Women Voters v. Frank LaRose, No. 23-cv-02414 (N.D. Ohio), in which private plaintiffs allege Ohio law unlawfully restricts who may assist voters with disabilities with voting absentee in violation of Title II of the ADA, Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act, and other laws. Ohio’s law criminalizes who may possess or return another person’s absentee ballot. The SOI states that Section 208 permits voters with disabilities to receive assistance from a person they choose, but not an agent of the voter’s employer or union. The SOI also states Title II requires public entities provide equal opportunities to vote absentee and allows voters with disabilities to use an assistor of their choice as a reasonable modification.
To find out more about the ADA, visit ada.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information line at 1-800-514-0301 (voice) or 1-833-610-1264 (TTY).