Rep. Russo: GOP election bill sets stage for confusion and chaos in November

COLUMBUS—Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) issued a statement today as Republican lawmakers voted to fast-track legislationthat does little to prepare the state’s Boards of Elections to safely conduct a presidential election amid the worst global pandemic in more than a century.

House Bill (HB) 680 shortens the time for voters to request absentee ballots, eliminates the ability for the secretary of state to prepay return postage for ballot applications, and bars the Health Director and other officials from affecting the conduct of elections—even at the risk of public health.

“This country was founded on the principles of a government that is ‘for the people, of the people, and by the people’,” Rep. Russo said. “It is our job to safeguard these principles for all Ohioans, especially during a global pandemic.  Ohio’s most recent Primary Election highlighted that we must make absentee voting easier and more efficient.  HB 680 does neither of these things—it simply maintains the status quo, which is woefully unprepared for our current public health crisis.  In November, many Ohioans will still be forced to make the unconscionable choice between jeopardizing their health and safety and exercising their constitutional right to vote.”

The bill stands in stark contrast to the Democrats’ proposal, HB 687, which would expand online registration, make it easier for Ohioans to vote by mail, and protect safe, accessible in-person voting opportunities amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 2,000 Ohioans.

Democrats offered several amendments on the floor, including:

• Removing the prohibition on officials from affecting the conduct of elections, which would limit the ability of Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton to determine if in-person voting is safe this November, which was sponsored by Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington).
• Allowing the secretary of state to prepay return postage for ballot applications and absentee ballots, sponsored by Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland).
• Removing confusion by allowing ballots to be postmarked by Election Day, rather than the day before Election Day, which was sponsored by Rep. Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati).
• Mailing ballots to every voter for this November’s presidential election, sponsored by Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown).
• Removing language that ends Early Voting at 6 p.m. the Friday before the election, sponsored by Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo).

Republicans rejected each of the Democratic amendments along party lines. 

After a party-line vote, HB 680 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

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