Reps. Russo, Brent, Bryant Bailey, and Synenberg Urge Secretary LaRose to Oppose Federal USPS Rule Threatening Vote-by-Mail Ballot Access

COLUMBUS — State Reps. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington), Juanita Brent (D- Cleveland), Ashley Bryant Bailey (D-Cincinnati), and Eric Synenberg (D-Beachwood) today called on Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose to oppose a recently finalized federal rule that could disrupt the delivery of absentee ballots through the United States Postal Service ahead of the November 3 general election.

In a letter sent to Secretary LaRose, the representatives urged the Secretary to join them in pushing back against what they described as an unnecessary and potentially harmful federal intrusion into the administration of Ohio elections.

The federal rule, stemming from Executive Order 14399, would impose new requirements on election-related mailings, including technical standards, voter information uploads to a USPS portal, and additional verification by postal workers before ballots can be accepted for delivery. The rule is currently enjoined by a federal court.

“Ohio has already spent months preparing for the 2026 election, with election officials, boards of elections and voters relying on established procedures and timelines,” the representatives said. “A last-minute federal change to the way ballots are mailed could create confusion, delays and unnecessary barriers for Ohio voters.”

Specific concerns were raised by a recent USPS whistleblower report, which alleges that the system needed to implement the rule has not been properly designed or tested and that work has continued despite court orders. They also cited an affidavit from Tammy Patrick, Chief Program Officer for the National Association of Election Officials, warning that the requirements cannot reasonably be implemented before the November election.

Patrick's affidavit explains that the rule would represent a significant departure from longstanding practices between election officials and USPS. Under the new requirements, a mailing containing even one noncompliant ballot mail piece could reportedly result in the rejection of the entire mailing. More than 800,000 votes were cast by mail in Ohio in the 2024 election, underscoring the importance of maintaining a reliable and predictable system for absentee ballot delivery.

Any disruption to ballot delivery could disproportionately affect military voters, older Ohioans, voters temporarily outside the state and other Ohioans who depend on reliable mail service to participate in elections.

“Ohio election officials have worked continuously to ensure that voters can receive, cast and return their ballots on time,” the representatives wrote. “They should not be forced to overhaul established election procedures weeks before Election Day because of a rushed federal mandate.”

The representatives stressed that protecting Ohio's elections requires ensuring that voters can access their ballots and that election officials have the time and resources necessary to administer elections effectively.

The letter is attached.