New Rules For Voters In Jail

A federal judge rules inmates awaiting trial must be given the same voting rights as other Ohio citizens…this, in a 2018 lawsuit filed against Ohio’s secretary of state by two Montgomery County inmates. The lawsuit argues state law violates the U.S. Constitution by treating pre-trial inmates differently than other voters. Ohio law grants voters confined in hospitals by unforeseen medical emergencies until 3 p.m. Election Day to apply for an absentee ballot, while inmates have a deadline of noon the Saturday before an election.