Coronavirus: Extra ballot drop boxes banned for upcoming election, Ohio secretary of state says

COLUMBUS — Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is banning extra ballot drop boxes for the November general election.

Thursday, LaRose’s spokesperson said he would support more ballot drop boxes, but there is not time for the law change to make that happen.

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Instead, LaRose is directing boards of elections to each use one drop box, like in the primary. In a directive released this week, LaRose said the drop boxes have to be monitored 24/7. He said at least one republican and one democrat on each board or board of state must empty the box at least once a day.

LaRose had originally asked Attorney General Dave Yost for a legal opinion, but said that never came.

With a Sept. 1 deadline quickly approaching to provide around the clock security for the drop boxes, it was ultimately too late in LaRose’s view to make changes.

Cox Media Group