The Current Rule: One Box Per County
As of the November 2026 election, the rule in Ohio is straightforward: each of the state's 88 counties is permitted to have only one absentee ballot drop box. This single drop box must be located at the county's board of elections office. This directive began as an order from the Secretary of State's office in 2020 and was later codified into state law by the Ohio legislature in 2023. The boxes are required to be secure and under surveillance, and they remain open 24 hours a day for ballot drop-offs until the polls close at 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
The Battle Over Access
The one-per-county limit was not established without a fight. The rule originated with a 2020 directive from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, when demand for absentee
voting surged. Local election boards and voting rights advocates, including the League of Women Voters of Ohio, argued for the ability to install multiple drop boxes to improve accessibility, especially in large, populous counties where a single location could be a significant distance for many residents. This led to lawsuits, with courts initially criticizing the limit but ultimately finding it within the Secretary of State's authority to set. By writing the one-box rule into state law, the Ohio legislature solidified the policy, moving it from a temporary directive to a permanent fixture of the state's election code.
Who Can Use the Drop Box?
The rules also specify who can return a ballot using a drop box. According to a 2024 directive from the Secretary of State, drop boxes are intended for voters returning their own personal ballot. If you are assisting another voter by returning their ballot, you are generally not permitted to use the outdoor drop box. Instead, that ballot must be taken inside the board of elections office, where the person assisting is required to sign an attestation form. However, an important exception exists for voters with disabilities. Following a July 2024 federal court ruling, voters with disabilities have the right to have a trusted person of their choice deliver their ballot for them, which can include using the drop box.
The Arguments: Security vs. Accessibility
The debate over drop boxes hinges on two competing values: security and accessibility. Proponents of the one-per-county limit, including state officials, argue that it ensures uniformity and enhances election security by concentrating resources and monitoring on a single, known location. They contend that Ohio's lengthy early in-person voting period and reliable mail-in system already provide ample opportunity for voters to cast their ballot securely. On the other side, opponents argue that limiting drop boxes places an undue burden on voters, particularly those with transportation challenges, disabilities, or inflexible work schedules. Groups like the ACLU of Ohio have consistently advocated for expanding drop box access, arguing it is a proven, safe, and convenient method that eases pressure on the postal service and reduces lines on Election Day.
What This Means For Your Vote
For Ohio voters choosing to vote by absentee ballot, planning is key. Your completed ballot must be received by your county board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day; postmarks are no longer sufficient. If you plan to use a drop box, you must travel to your county's single board of elections office. Given the strict return deadline, dropping off your ballot in person—either at the drop box or inside the office—is the surest way to know it has been received on time. If you cannot return your own ballot, be aware of the specific rules for assistance and ensure the person helping you follows the correct procedure by going inside the office if required.
