Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose wants to send postage-paid absentee ballots to millions of Ohioans as part of his plan to complete the state’s presidential primary election, delayed over coronavirus concerns.
LaRose on Saturday announced his plan, which would send postage-paid absentee ballot applications to every registered voter who hadn’t yet cast an early vote for the primary, which was postponed from March 17.
Voters who complete the application would get the postage-paid ballots, which they could submit until June 2, when LaRose wants to hold in-person voting.
But the plan would allow LaRose to call off in-person voting by April 24, if Ohio health officials haven’t rescinded the public-health order that closed the polls in the first place by then.
LaRose’s plan, which he said is backed by Gov. Mike DeWine, would require approval and funding from state lawmakers.