Rep. Sweeney Stands with Disabled Voters Being Discriminated Against by Secretary LaRose

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Westlake) today released the following statement related to the lawsuit filed Friday by two voters against Secretary of State Frank LaRose for his new directive that makes it harder for voters with disabilities to cast in-person absentee ballots in Ohio:

"Ensuring Ohioans with disabilities have the freedom to vote should not only be a top priority for Secretary of State LaRose but it is part of his sworn duty as our chief elections officer. Embarrassingly, Larose has spent his time supporting legislation that has been deemed by our courts to attack the freedom of disabled Ohioans to participate in our democracy.

Instead of doing the right thing and respecting our judicial system, LaRose has attempted to erect new barriers for some of our most vulnerable citizens, who just want to have a say in their government like everyone else. This is wrong and he must be stopped.

I am hopeful the court upholds access to the most fundamental freedom in a democracy for voters with disabilities and not the political sideshow of a rogue elections officer who continues to rewrite the rules every time he loses."