Rep. Bryant Bailey Slams GOP's End-of-Year Push to Strip Away Voting Rights
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Bryant Bailey (D–Cincinnati) today issued a warning to Ohioans as Republican lawmakers attempt to rush three voter-suppression bills through the legislative process before the end of the year. Rep. Bryant Bailey called the package a “coordinated attack on Ohioans’ voting rights” and made clear that she will not stand by while politicians manipulate the rules to hold onto power.
“The people of Ohio deserve free, fair, and accessible elections—period. What we’re seeing this week is not about ‘integrity,’ it’s not about ‘security,’ and it’s definitely not about serving the public,” said Rep. Bryant Bailey. “This is about the Republican party trying to change the rules of the game because they’re afraid of voters. I won’t stand for it, and neither should the people of this state.”
The most significant bill, Senate Bill (SB) 293, eliminates Ohio’s four-day grace period for absentee ballots, automatically rejecting any mailed ballot that arrives after Election Day. Rep. Bryant Bailey emphasized that SB 293 would disenfranchise voters across the political spectrum, especially those who rely on vote-by-mail due to distance, health, or work schedules.
“This bill does exactly what the Trump administration has been pushing for: undermining trust in absentee voting when they don’t like the outcome,” said Rep. Bryant Bailey. “The truth is, protecting absentee voting isn’t a partisan issue, it’s about keeping the doors of our democracy open to every eligible voter. This legislation will disproportionately affect Ohio's seniors, rural residents, and individuals with disabilities. SB 293 throws out valid votes—not because of anything a voter did wrong, but because the mail was slow. That’s unacceptable.”
SB 153 also moves this week, adding new barriers to voter registration based on a false claim of widespread noncitizen voting. The bill also makes it harder for Ohioans to pursue citizen-led ballot initiatives.
Rep. Bryant Bailey urges Ohioans to speak out and make their voices heard as these bills rapidly move through the legislature.
“Our democracy belongs to the people—not to whichever party is in charge today,” said Rep. Bryant Bailey. “I will fight these bills every step of the way, but Ohioans deserve to know exactly what’s happening here. These proposals would silence voters, weaken our elections, and erode public trust. I refuse to let that happen quietly.”
Rep. Bryant Bailey encourages constituents to contact the committee chairs and let them know that Ohioans will not stand for these attacks.