WARREN, Ohio - The Trumbull County Board of Elections will maintain only one absentee ballot drop box in its Youngstown Road parking lot even though Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has authorized placement of additional ballot receptacles at all 88 board of election offices.

“We have no plans to put in an additional drop box,” elections Director Stephanie Penrose told 21 News Wednesday. She said the size of the lot is not conducive for placing a second box in a location where drivers could easily access it. Voters have to leave their vehicles to deposit their ballots in the board’s only drop box.

Earlier this week, LaRose issued directives for boards to place “secure receptacles” at their offices and “outside of the county board of elections at convenient drive-through ballot drop offs.” Penrose said meeting that directive could require another box with a chute where drivers could deposit their ballots without leaving their vehicles.

“It would be wonderful to have one, but acquiring it would be a logistical nightmare,” the director said. “By the time we’d get one, the election would be over.”

According to figures provided by LaRose’s office, more than two million Ohioans have requested absentee ballots, most of which voters are expected to be return by mail. A news release from LaRose states that under Ohio law, ballots can be received by boards “up to ten days after the election as long as they are postmarked by November 2nd”—one day before the general election. LaRose, however, has declined to approve drop box placement at any location in a county other than a board of elections office.

 

 

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