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Some Fear Ohio’s Shortened Canvass Period Could Lead To Voter Disenfranchisement

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (Statehouse News Bureau) — Some Democratic state lawmakers want to know why Republican Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is shortening the amount of time counties can have to finish the official count from November’s election.

A worker pulls a pallet of ballots
[Dan Konik | Statehouse News Bureau]
Ohio House Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney says state law allows until November 24th to complete the official canvass. That’s the period of time when county boards of elections can count ballots and handle provisional votes. Secretary of State Frank LaRose recently issued a directive that shortened that period by six days.

Sweeney says Ohio is projecting a huge voter turnout, with many early voters and first-time voters. That could mean more voter confusion and mistakes that would need to be corrected. Plus, she says there have been ballot printing delays and changes in mail service that make it less reliable. So she says boards of elections need the maximum time they can get to count ballots. And she fears without enough time, voters could be disenfranchised.

“One person who could have had their ballot counted who didn’t, that’s one too many,” Sweeney says.

A spokesman for LaRose says the expedited deadline will ensure there would be enough time for recounts if necessary.

Updated at 6 p.m. with a statement from LaRose’s office. You can read it here.