Name: Judge: Ohioans can send absentee ballot requests by email or fax; LaRose to appeal
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Judge: Ohioans can send absentee ballot requests by email or fax; LaRose to appeal

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&nbsp;A&nbsp;Franklin County Common Pleas Court ruled Friday that Ohioans can send their applications for absentee ballots via email or fax.In late July, the Ohio Democratic Party filed a lawsuit, saying Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, should accept Ohioans' mail-in ballot applications&nbsp;via email or fax.Currently, Ohioans who want to vote via the mail must fill out a paper application and send it to their county board of elections by mail or in-person at board offices.Democrats argued that nothing in Ohio law prohibits LaRose from allowing Ohioans to email their applications to the county board of elections.Attorneys for LaRose argued that switching to submitting online applications so soon before the November election could cause problems."While it might theoretically be possible to eventually implement an electronic process for returning absentee ballot applications, the undisputed evidence is that it cannot be done safely in time for the 2020 general election," according to the filing.However, Democrats noted that overseas and military voters already can email ballot requests.Judge Stephen L. McIntosh sided with the Democrats and&nbsp;granted a preliminary injunction allowing voters to submit requests by email or fax."Nowhere in (state law) does it prohibit qualified electors to submit their absentee ballotapplications by email or fax and states that applications need not be in 'any particular form,'" McIntosh wrote. "Because the Secretary&nbsp;of State and the boards already accept absentee ballots in this manner, the Court can assume that&nbsp;a policy or protocol is already in place."Attorneys for LaRose suggested accepting requests by email and fax would increase the burden on election officials processing those requests. McIntosh said any additional burden on the boards is outweighed by the public interest of "additional and easier access" to an absentee ballot."Any argument that places more emphasis on the amount of work that may be required of the boards than the additional access afforded eligible voters cannot stand," he wrote.The Enquirer has requested comment from LaRose.This story will be updated.Columbus Bureau Chief Jackie Borchardt contributed reporting.Choose the plan that’s right for you. Digital access or digital and print delivery.

&nbsp;A&nbsp;Franklin County Common Pleas Court ruled Friday that Ohioans can send their applications for absentee ballots via email or fax.In late July, the Ohio Democratic Party filed a lawsuit, saying Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, should accept Ohioans' mail-in ballot applications&nbsp;via email or fax.Currently, Ohioans who want to vote via the mail must fill out a paper application and send it to their county board of elections by mail or in-person at board offices.Democrats argued that nothing in Ohio law prohibits LaRose from allowing Ohioans to email their...

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Judge: Ohioans can send absentee ballot requests by email or fax; LaRose to appeal

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