Federal court strikes down Ohio

A federal court has invalidated parts of Ohio's House Bill 458 that restricted assistance to disabled voters, ruling that such limitations violate the Voting Rights Act. The law previously mandated that only close relatives could help disabled individuals with absentee ballots, making it a felony for others, including caregivers and friends, to provide assistance. The ACLU of Ohio, representing the League of Women Voters and disabled voters, argued that the law disenfranchised many individuals who rely on non-family members for support in voting. U.S. District Judge Bridget Brennan ruled that federal law supersedes state law in this instance, emphasizing the right of voters to choose their assistants. The decision has been celebrated as a significant victory for disabled voters in Ohio, although state officials are considering an appeal. Meanwhile, a separate case in North Carolina regarding a voter residency requirement was dismissed for lack of standing, allowing that law to remain in effect.