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Hegseth could lead troops who'd face getting fired for actions he's done in the past; Strong Santa Ana winds return for SoCal; Southeast Asian refugees in MA fear deportation, seek Biden pardon; RSV rise puts Indiana hospitals on alert; CT lawmakers urged to focus on LGBTQ+ legislation.

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The Special Counsel's report says Donald Trump would have been convicted for election interference. Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth faces harsh questioning from Senate Democrats, and law enforcement will be increased for next week's inauguration.

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"Drill, baby, drill" is a tough sell for oil and gas companies in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, rising sea levels create struggles for Washington's coastal communities, and more folks than ever are taking advantage of America's great outdoors.

Controversy erupts over Ohio's proposed drop-box ban

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Thursday, September 5, 2024   

As Ohio gears up for the upcoming election, debates over new voting regulations are heating up. The recent proposal by Secretary of State Frank LaRose to eliminate ballot drop boxes has sparked significant controversy.

Sen. Bill Demora, D-Columbus, is a vocal advocate for voting rights and says it's already difficult to use drop boxes around the state with just one drop box in each county.

"It's ridiculous," he said. "And all that it does is hurt working people and working families and college students to make it tougher for people to vote."

Demora added that the proposal disproportionately affects those with limited access to transportation or tight schedules. However, LaRose's proposal stems from concerns over ballot harvesting, where unauthorized individuals collect and submit multiple ballots, a practice illegal under Ohio state law.

Supporters of the proposal argue that such measures are necessary to prevent potential voter fraud and ensure the integrity of the election process.

Alex Triantafilou, state Republican party chair, said there's a month before early voting begins, so this gives everyone a chance to understand the rules.

"This is a simple safeguard that we have for anyone who decides they're going to cast a ballot for another citizen," he said.

Despite these assurances, critics remain unconvinced, pointing out that the timing of these changes, just weeks before an election, could lead to confusion and deter voter participation.

Rep. Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, was among Democrats gathered outside the Board of Elections who pointed to voter intimidation.

"If you are taking your grandmother to drop off her ballot and she says, 'Sweetheart, can you please take my ballot and just drop it off at the box right over there?' you could be facing jail time?" he said

Other Democrats say with fewer than 70 days before the election, new rules for Ohioans could impact how they cast their ballots. While the debate continues, voters will need to navigate these changes to ensure their voices are heard on Election Day.


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