Dear Representative,

As an Ohio lawmaker, you have the power to make voting safe for voters, poll workers, and election officials this November. During the primary, voters were frustrated and confused, and countless ballots were lost or denied for unsubstantial reasons. I am concerned that instead of implementing commonsense reforms, the Ohio House is considering legislation that could make Ohio’s General Election function even worse.

Instead, State Rep. Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) introduced a bill that would make the election unduly complicated. House Bill 680 would reverse the long-standing, bipartisan practice of

sending absentee ballot applications to all registered voters prior to major elections, while making voting-by-mail harder for everyone, including veterans serving overseas. It would tie the hands of the Secretary of State on how federal funding would most effectively be used. Finally, it would make responding nimbly to an emergency nearly impossible.

I ask you to oppose HB 680.

Improving vote-by-mail and early voting will benefit all voters from across Ohio by reducing lines on Election Day and ensuring that everyone’s voice can be heard.

We ask you to:

-support Senate Bill 191 to allow for online applications for an absentee ballot

-allocate funds for prepaid postage for applications and ballots

-permit multiple early vote centers and drop boxes in each county

-maintain and improve in-person voting in ways that are safe for voters and poll workers

-provide funds for BOE staffing, supplies, and capital expenses

-improve poll worker recruitment, and more.

Together, we can make sure that this election is safe, secure, and accessible – even if public health concerns continue. We ask that you learn from Ohio’s problematic primary and truly listen to the needs of voters, poll workers, and elections officials. For more information, contact Jen Miller, ED of LWVO at [email protected].