Ohio postal workers say residents need option to vote by mail

By Nadia Ramlagan

Mail carriers in Ohio said it is critical for residents to have the option to vote by mail.

The American Postal Workers Union has launched a new campaign across the state urging the expansion of vote-by-mail options.

Jen Lemke, executive vice president of the American Postal Workers Union Local 170 in Toledo, said transportation issues, disabilities, military deployment and a host of other reasons can keep people from getting to the polls in person.

"I handle ballots every single day during election season and I see how important it is when people come in and they want to mail their ballots in and they're handing me over their ballots," Lemke recounted. "They're very, very proud to give it to us.'

President Donald Trump’s recent executive order mandates the U.S. Postal Service to refuse to deliver ballots sent by anyone not included on newly created federal mail voter lists. In the 2024 general election, more than 18% of Ohio voters cast mail ballots, according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

Lemke added Postal Service mail service is critical for serving particularly rural communities year-round, not just during election season. She noted older adults and others who need regular prescriptions rely on the service to ensure they have access to their medications.

"A lot of people can't get out of their houses, can't get into the city, can't get into a pharmacy," Lemke explained. "They rely on us to get their medication to them every single day."

The Buckeye State has been at the center of voting by mail since the Civil War era. According to the union, the first mail votes cast were by Ohio voters serving in the Union Army in 1864. A new poll from Hart Research and North Star Opinion Research found more than 60% of voters across the political aisle have confidence the Postal Service can deliver their ballots safely.