Voting Rights Groups Drop Federal Lawsuit Over Additional Ballot Drop Boxes

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In this April 28, 2020 file photo, Marcia McCoy drops her ballot into a box outside the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections in Cleveland, Ohio.
Tony Dejak

A federal lawsuit against Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose that could have allowed counties to add more ballot drop boxes at various locations for the November election has been dropped.

League of Women Voters of Ohio Executive Director Jen Miller said the groups dropped the lawsuit after a federal appellate court set a timetable last week that pushed further activity in the case past Election Day.

“We are so close to the election. It is unlikely that we are going to get a ruling that benefits voters so we are now focusing our attention elsewhere," Miller says.

Miller says her group is focused on helping voters with information on candidates and voting now. However she says they will continue to fight for more drop boxes after the election.

Earlier this month, the federal court ruled LaRose should and could add more drop boxes but put a stay on its order while the lawsuit was appealed.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

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Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.
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