Antonio Disapproves of Republican Voter Suppression Bill

Today, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) voted against Senate Bill 293, a bill that reduces the amount of time a voter’s ballot may be counted in Ohio. 

“This legislation is voter suppression at its core,” said Leader Antonio. “This bill will make it more difficult for Ohio voters to have their votes count, depriving them of their preferred representation within their local, state, and federal governments. Many Ohioans may experience delays in their mail due to a variety of reasons, including a reduction in federal funding for the U.S. Postal Service, mismanagement and partisan sabotage of our U.S. mail service, and even where they live in the state. This bill further constrains voters and makes it possible that their voice will not be heard, and their ballots will literally be cast aside and not counted. This is absolutely voter suppression.”

This legislation would eliminate the grace period that allows absentee ballots postmarked by the day before Election Day to be counted if they arrive in the mail up to four days after Election Day. Ballots would instead need to be delivered to county boards of elections by the time that polls close on Election Day.

Senate Bill 293 now heads to the Ohio House of Representatives for consideration.