Ohio Treasurer Sprague Targets Drop Boxes in Secretary of State Campaign
Term-limited Treasurer Robert Sprague releases campaign ad featuring puppet character criticizing ballot drop boxes ahead of Tuesday’s GOP primary for secretary of state.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — State Treasurer Robert Sprague has released a campaign advertisement ahead of Tuesday’s Republican primary that targets ballot drop boxes as insecure, as the term-limited treasurer seeks to move to another statewide office as Ohio’s secretary of state.
Sprague faces GOP primary challenger Marcell Strbich on May 5, with the winner advancing to face either Democrat Bryan Hambley or Allison Russo in November’s general election for secretary of state.
Campaign Ad Features Puppet Character
In the recent campaign ad, Sprague walks past brownstones and approaches a ballot drop box positioned next to a garbage can. “Seen one of these in your neighborhood?” he asks in the video.
The ad features Sesame Street-style graphics and introduces a character called “Lefty the Cheat,” described as an Oscar the Grouch rip-off, who emerges from the drop box. Sprague declares “ballot boxes just aren’t secure” while the puppet character responds “they make elections messy!”
Campaign Promises on Election Security
During the advertisement, Sprague makes several campaign pledges. “I’ll support President Trump. I’ll ditch the drop boxes. I’ll verify American citizenship for new voter registration” and ensure “cheaters get kicked to the curb,” he states in the video.
The state treasurer, who would become Ohio’s chief elections officer if elected secretary of state, concludes the ad by saying “don’t let Democrats trash your vote.”
Drop Box Usage and History
Ballot drop boxes have been utilized for decades in both red and blue states as a convenient method for voters to submit their ballots without depending on mail delivery, according to the Ohio Capital Journal reporting. The boxes gained increased popularity during the pandemic as an alternative to in-person voting.
Sprague brings seven years of experience in statewide office and previously served four terms as a state representative. The drop boxes became a target for GOP criticism during the 2020 election cycle, despite their longstanding use across various states without significant controversy.
The Republican primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, with early voting already underway in Ohio. The secretary of state position oversees elections administration throughout the state and serves as the chief elections officer.
