OMB Control No. 3265-0006 1 

Expiration Date 4/30/2017 

U.S. ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION 

 2016 Election Administration & Voting Survey 

Statutory Overview

 

In order to better understand state laws governing Federal elections, the U.S. Election Assistance 

Commission, as part of its biennial Election Administration and Voting Survey, is collecting 

information on state election laws and procedures. These answers will help EAC to better 

understand the quantitative data relating to the 2016 general election that we are collecting from 

all U.S. states and territories. 

EAC understands that responding to this Statutory Overview may require significant staff time on 

the part of your office. Please be assured that we have attempted to minimize the burden, and we 

appreciate your cooperation in this very important project. 

Information Supplied By 

Name

Title

Office/Agency Name

Address 1

Address 2

City

State

Zip Code

E-mail Address

Telephone (area Code and number)

Fax Number (area code and number)

Brandi Laser Seskes Deputy Elections Administrator & Elections Counsel Ohio Secretary of State 180 E. Broad St., 15th Floor Columbus Ohio 43215 bseskes@OhioSecretaryofState.gov 614-466-2585
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DIRECTIONS AND EXAMPLE 

As appropriate, please provide your state’s legal citation for the responses to the questions beginning on the 

following page. 

Please answer each question to the best of your ability. If a term or concept is ambiguous, please explain why. If 

a question is not applicable to your state, please explain why. If a definition or term lacks statutory reference in 

your state but is widely used in practice, please explain. If election procedures vary at the local level within your 

state, please explain these variations to the best of your ability. 

The Statutory Overview data collection document has two columns below each question. 

 On the left, we have provided you with the answer your state provided for the 2014 Statutory 

Overview. If there has not been a change in your state’s laws or legal citation in the response to 

a question, please mark the box labeled No Change since 2014 at the top of the left column. 

 If the response has changed since 2014 – or your state has not answered this question previously 

for some reason— please mark the box labeled Changed since 2014 at the top of the right 

column and then provide the new answer in the text box provided. If your response is too long to 

fit in the box, please make a note in the text box and place your response in the “Notes” page at 

the end of the document. Additionally, if a law was repealed in full, please answer “repealed in 

full” in the box. 

If any of your state laws are currently enjoined or otherwise blocked from enforcement by a state or federal court 

or by executive decision, please specify. 
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Example: 

A1. How does your state define the following terms related to votes and ballots? Please provide your 

state’s legal citation defining these terms, where applicable. 

Over-vote 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

 

Under-vote 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

a)

b)

State code 1.11 - An attempt to vote for a larger 

number of candidates than is allowed.

This term has no legal definition. State code 1.12 - An attempt to vote for a 

smaller number of candidates than is allowed.
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SECTION A: GENERAL 

A1. How does your state define the following terms related to votes and ballots? Please provide your 

state’s legal citation defining these terms, where applicable. 

a) Over-vote 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

 

b) Under-vote 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

There is no statutory definition of “over-vote” in Ohio law. 

Ohio law addresses over-votes in R.C. 3506.10(C) and R.C. 

3506.21(B)(3). R.C. 3506.10(C) prohibits certification of any 

voting machine that does not preclude an elector from voting 

1) for more persons for any office than the elector is entitled 

to vote for and 2) from voting for any candidates for the 

same office or upon any question more than once. R.C. 

3506.21(B)(3) provides that, if an elector over-votes for one 

race, the ballot shall not be invalidated for other races in 

which he or she did not over-vote.

There is no statutory definition of “under-vote” in Ohio law
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c) Blank ballot 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014

d) Void/Spoiled ballot 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014

 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

There is no statutory definition of “blank ballot” in Ohio law. 

In general, Ohio election administrators and election officials 

refer to a “blank ballot” as a ballot that was not marked by a 

voter.

There is no statutory definition of a “void” or “spoiled” ballot 

in Ohio law. Ohio law addresses spoiled ballots in R.C. 

3505.12, which provides that ballot instructions shall inform 

voters how to obtain a new ballot in case of accidentally 

spoiling one.
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e) Provisional/Challenged ballot 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014

f) Absentee 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014

 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

Provisional ballots are explained in Ohio Revised Code 

sections 3505.181, .182, and .183.

Absentee ballots are addressed in Chapters 3509 and 3511 of 

the Ohio Revised Code. Absentee ballot procedures are also 

addressed in Secretary of State Directives 2014-18 and 

2014-19.

Absentee ballots are addressed in Chapters 3509 and 3511 of the 

Ohio Revised Code. Ohio law does not define specifically the term 

"absentee." An absentee ballot is a ballot issued to an eligible voter 

prior to Election Day, either during in-person absentee voting or by 

mail.
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g) Early voting 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014

 

h) Active Voter 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014

 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

Ohio does not have “early voting”. However, in-person 

absentee voting is often referred to as “early voting”.

“Active voter” is not statutorily defined in Ohio law.
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i) Inactive Voter 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014

 

j) Other terms (please specify) ________________ 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014

 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

“Inactive voter” is not statutorily defined in Ohio law.

N/A
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A2. Please provide the legal citation for any significant changes to election laws or procedures that have 

been enacted or adopted since the previous Federal election. “Significant” does not include routine or 

technical changes (such as changes to election district boundaries or polling place changes). However, 

EAC would like to learn about any new identification requirements for voters or registrants; changes in 

eligibility for voting or registering; adoption of alternative voting methods; and other changes that you 

believe represent a significant change in the way your state runs its elections. 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2014 Response: 2016 Response:

This year, the Ohio General Assembly amended the law 

providing the start date for regular absentee voting. The 

amendment changed the start date from the 35th day before 

an election to the day after the close of voter registration 

before an election. Ohio Senate Bill 238, 130th G.A. The 

Secretary of State has been enjoined from enforcing the law 

change enacted by the Ohio General Assembly. Ohio State 

Conference of the Nat’l Ass’n for the Advancement of 

Colored People, et al., v. Husted, et al., S.D.Ohio No. 

2:14-cv-404, 2014 WL 4377869 (Sept. 4, 2014). Though the 

decision by the district court has been appealed, as of 

September 26, 2014, the start date for absentee voting is the 

35th day prior to the election. 

The Ohio General Assembly also made changes regarding 

the casting and counting of provisional ballots. Ohio Senate 

Bill 216, 130th G.A. The provisional ballot affirmation 

statement is prescribed by statute and requires the elector to 

provide his or her printed name, signature, current address, 

date of birth, and acceptable identification. A county board of 

elections may use the affirmation statement to update the 

provisional voter’s information or to register the provisional 

voter. R.C. 3503.182. If a provisional voter is unable to 

provide acceptable identification on Election Day, that voter 

may appear at the office of the board of elections within the 

seven days following the election to provide identification. 

R.C.3503.181(B)(7). 

An elector who moves within the same precinct, changes his 

or her name, and does not update his or her address is eligible 

to cast a regular ballot (instead of a provisional ballot) if that 

elector provides proof of a legal name change to the precinct 

election officials at the elector’s precinct polling place on 

Election Day. R.C. 3503.16. 

Boards of elections now are required by statute to notify an 

absentee voter of any error or omission on the absentee ballot 

identification envelope that causes the absentee voter’s ballot 

not to be counted. Ohio Senate Bill 205, 130th G.A. The 

voter can correct or provide information for his/her absentee 

ballot identification envelope by completing a form and 

returning it to his/her county board of elections. R.C.3509.0 

(D)(3)(b).

The start date for regular (i.e., non-UOCAVA) absentee voting is 

the first day after the close of voter registration for that election. 

Pursuant to a settlement agreement in Ohio State Conference of 

the Nat’l Ass’n for the Advancement of Colored People, et al., v. 

Husted, et al., S.D.Ohio No. 2:14-cv-404, each county board of 

elections is required to be open specific hours (determined by the 

type of election) for in-person absentee voting prior to an 

election. 

As of the date these survey responses are being submitted, 

litigation is pending regarding the information required to be 

provided by a voter in order to count a returned absentee ballot or 

a provisional ballot cast by a voter. Northeast Ohio Coalition for 

the Homeless, et al., v. Husted, U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Cir. 

Case Nos. 16-3603/3691.
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Expiration Date 4/30/2017 

SECTION B: VOTER REGISTRATION 

B1. Is your state’s voter registration database system best described as a bottom-up, a top-down, or a 

hybrid? (Note: A bottom-up system generally uploads information retained at the local level and 

compiled at regular intervals to form the statewide voter registration list. A top-down system is hosted 

on a single, central platform/mainframe and is generally maintained by the state with information 

supplied by local jurisdictions. A hybrid is some combination of both systems described above.) 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

If your state uses a bottom-up or hybrid system, how often do local jurisdictions transmit registration 

information to the state list? 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

Bottom-up.

Continuously.
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B2. Please describe the process used in your state to move voters from the active list to the inactive list, 

and from the inactive list to the active list. Is a different process used for UOCAVA voters? 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

B3. Please describe your state’s process for removing voters from the voter registration rolls (not merely 

moving them from active to inactive). Please include information regarding notices and confirmations. 

Are these procedures the same for UOCAVA voters? 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

The procedures are outlined in Secretary of State Directive 

2014-14. The procedures are the same for UOCAVA voters.

The procedures are outlined in Secretary of State Directive 

2015-25. The procedures are the same for UOCAVA voters.

The procedures are outlined in Secretary of State Directive 

2014-14. The procedures are the same for UOCAVA voters.

The procedures are outlined in Secretary of State Directives 

2015-25, 2016-17, and 2016-20. The procedures are the same for 

UOCAVA voters.
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B4. Can your state’s voter registration database (or equivalent) share information electronically with 

your state’s driver’s license agency (for example, to match records or trace changes in address)? Can 

your voter registration database be similarly linked with databases in any other state or Federal 

agencies? Please describe these links, including any use of database matching to verify voter registration 

applications. 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

B5. Please describe how your state uses National Change of Address (NCOA). What has been your 

state’s experience with NCOA? 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

Information provided by voter registrants is compared with 

information contained in the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles 

(BMV) database to verify a registrant’s name, address, date 

of birth, driver’s license number, and/or last four digits of 

SSN. Additionally, when a registrant changes his or her 

address with BMV, that information is shared with the 

appropriate county board of elections. Secretary of State 

Directive 2013-08 provides details on this information 

verification program.

Information provided by voter registrants is compared with 

information contained in the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles 

(BMV) database to verify a registrant’s name, address, date of 

birth, driver’s license number, and/or last four digits of SSN. 

Additionally, when a registrant changes his or her address with 

BMV, that information is shared with the appropriate county board 

of elections. Secretary of State Directive 2015-25 provides details 

on this information verification program.

The Secretary of State matches voter records in the Statewide 

Voter Registration Database (SWVRD) against the NCOA 

database to compile the data for the NCOA process. Results 

are then forwarded to each county board of elections for 

processing per Ohio Secretary of State Directive 2014-14.

The Secretary of State matches voter records in the Statewide 

Voter Registration Database (SWVRD) against the NCOA 

database to compile the data for the NCOA process. Results are 

then forwarded to each county board of elections for processing 

per Ohio Secretary of State Directives 2016-17 and 2016-20.
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B6. Please describe your state’s voting eligibility requirements as they relate to individuals with a felony 

conviction. (For example, are convicted felons allowed to vote while in prison or while on parole or 

probation? Are voting rights automatically restored or does the individual have to apply for a pardon, 

certificate of eligibility or other similar certificate? Does an individual whose voting rights have been 

restored have to produce documentation of his/her status when registering to vote?) 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

B7. Does your state currently use the Internet in any way to facilitate voter registration? If yes, please 

describe how your state allows voters to use the Internet in the registration process (e.g., entire 

registration completed online; completed online but then must be printed, signed, and mailed by voter, 

etc.). 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

Pursuant to sections 2961.01 and 3503.21 of the Ohio 

Revised Code, any person convicted of a felony is 

incompetent to be an Ohio elector while the person is 

incarcerated for the felony conviction. An otherwise 

competent elector will lose his/her right to register and to 

vote upon being incarcerated for a felony conviction. 

An otherwise competent elector who is incarcerated for a 

felony conviction is allowed to reregister to vote upon being 

pardoned or placed on community or post-release control, 

parole, judicial release, or upon the final discharge of the 

imposed incarceration. 

Ohio law does not require a released felon to produce 

documentation of release when reregistering to vote. 

Additionally, Ohio law places no affirmative duty on the 

Secretary of State or boards of elections to notify an 

individual of his or her renewed competency to be an elector.

An individual may download and print a blank voter 

registration form from the Secretary of State’s website (to be 

completed by hand, signed, and returned by mail or in 

person). Alternatively, an individual may complete the 

application on the website and print, sign, and return the 

completed form by mail or in person.

An individual may download and print a blank voter registration 

form from the Secretary of State’s website (to be completed by 

hand, signed, and returned by mail or in person). Alternatively, an 

individual may complete the application on the website and print, 

sign, and return the completed form by mail or in person. 

Not earlier that January 1, 2017, the Ohio Secretary of State's 

office will launch an online voter registration system whereby an 

eligible individual can enter and submit electronically a voter 

registration application.
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SECTION C: ELECTION ADMINISTRATION 

 

C1. Please describe how all votes cast at a place other than the voter’s precinct of registration are 

tabulated (for example, please include descriptions of such votes as absentee ballots, mail-in ballots, 

votes cast at vote centers, provisional ballots, early voting locations, etc.). 

a. Are the votes counted centrally or at the precincts? 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

 b. If centrally tabulated, are the votes redirected to the appropriate 

 precinct for reporting in the canvass? 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

 c. Are the absentee, mail, etc., votes reported separately for each precinct, 

 or are they added to the in-precinct results and reported as just a single 

 number? 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

Absentee ballots (cast either in person or by mail) are 

tabulated centrally at the board of elections office. Valid 

provisional ballots are tabulated centrally at the board of 

elections office as part of the official canvass of an election.

Yes, as part of the official canvass of the election.

Boards have the option of reporting all absentee ballots as 

separate precincts for tabulation purposes or adding the 

absentee ballots to the in-precinct results for the unofficial 

canvass on election night. However, for the official canvass 

and reporting of results, all absentee ballots are included in 

the in-precinct results.
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 d. How are UOCAVA ballots counted and reported? 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

C2. Does your state require a reason for voting absentee, or does your state allow no-excuse absentee 

voting? (If a reason is required, please provide the legal citation.) 

 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

C3. Does your state provide for in-person early voting? If so, how is early voting defined? When early 

voting is used, are the ballots counted at the precinct or at a central location? How are these votes 

reported? 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

UOCAVA ballots are treated as other absentee ballots.

Under R.C. 3509.02(A), any elector may vote by absent 

voter’s ballot at an election. Ohio allows no-excuse absentee 

voting.

Ohio does not have “early voting”. However, in-person 

absentee voting is often referred to as “early voting”. 

This year, the Ohio General Assembly amended the law 

providing the start date for regular absentee voting. The 

amendment changed the start date from the 35th day before 

an election to the day after the close of voter registration 

before an election. Ohio Senate Bill 238, 130th G.A. The 

Secretary of State has been enjoined from enforcing the law 

change enacted by the Ohio General Assembly. Ohio State 

Conference of the Nat’l Ass’n for the Advancement of 

Colored People, et al., v. Husted, et al., S.D.Ohio No. 

2:14-cv-404, 2014 WL 4377869 (Sept. 4, 2014). Though the 

decision by the district court has been appealed, as of 

September 26, 2014, the start date for in-person absentee 

voting is the 35th day prior to the election. 

An Ohio elector may vote an absentee ballot in person at the 

elector’s board of elections office or other site designated by 

the board. While this may be referred to as “early voting,” the 

electors are simply voting absentee ballots that are tabulated 

in the same manner as an absentee ballot that is returned by 

mail.

Ohio does not have “early voting”. However, in-person absentee 

voting is often referred to as “early voting.” An Ohio elector may 

vote an absentee ballot in person at the elector’s board of elections 

office or other site designated by the board. While this may be 

referred to as “early voting,” the electors are simply voting 

absentee ballots that are tabulated in the same manner as an 

absentee ballot that is returned by mail. 

The start date for regular (i.e., non-UOCAVA) absentee voting is 

the first day after the close of voter registration for that election. 

Pursuant to a settlement agreement in Ohio State Conference of 

the Nat’l Ass’n for the Advancement of Colored People, et al., v. 

Husted, et al., S.D.Ohio No. 2:14-cv-404, each county board of 

elections is required to be open specific hours (determined by the 

type of election) for in-person absentee voting prior to an election. 
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C4. Do any jurisdictions in your state use a vote-by-mail system to replace (and not merely supplement) 

at-the-precinct voting in any elections? 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

C5. Please list each of the situations that require a provisional ballot in your state. Please provide the 

relevant legal citation for each situation. 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

No jurisdictions in this state have replaced a precinct voting 

system with a vote-by-mail system.

Provisional voting rules are explained in sections 3503.16, 

3503.19(C), 3505.181 - .183, and 3509.09 of the Ohio 

Revised Code. The following electors must cast a provisional 

ballot: 

-A registered elector who moves from one precinct to another 

within a county on or before the day of the election and did 

not file a notice of change of residence with the board of 

elections at least 30 days before the election. 

-A registered elector who moves from one precinct to another 

within a county and who changes his/her name but did not 

file a change of residence and change of name with the board 

of elections at least 30 days before the election. 

-A registered elector who moves from one county to another 

county within the state and did not register to vote in the new 

county at least 30 days before the election. 

-A registered elector who has changed his/her name, who did 

not file a notice of a change of name with the board of 

elections at least 30 days before the election, and who does 

not provide proof of a legal name change at his or her polling 

place on Election Day. If such an elector does provide proof 

of his/her name change on Election Day, he/she may be 

eligible to vote a regular ballot. 

-A voter whose name does not appear in the poll list or 

signature poll book on Election Day. 

-A voter who appears to vote on Election Day but does not 

provide one of the acceptable forms of identification. 

-A voter whose registration confirmation notice has been 

returned to the board of elections as undeliverable. R.C. 

3503.19(C). 

A hd b’bllb
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C6. Does your state count provisional ballots of voters who are registered in different precincts, or are 

those ballots automatically rejected? Please describe the process used by local election officials in 

determining whether to count a provisional ballot. 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2014 Response: 2016 Response:

Provisional ballots must be cast in the elector’s assigned 

precinct to be counted. Wrong-precinct ballots cast in the 

correct polling place of a multiple-precinct polling place must 

be counted for contests and issues for which the voter would 

have been eligible to vote had the voter cast the ballot in the 

correct precinct unless the precinct election official completes 

Secretary of State Form 12-D to demonstrate that the precinct 

election official directed the voter to the correct precinct and 

the voter refused to go there to vote. R.C. 3505.183(D).. See 

Secretary of State Directives 2014-20 for additional 

information.

Provisional ballots must be cast in the elector’s assigned precinct 

to be counted. Wrong-precinct ballots cast in the correct polling 

place of a multiple-precinct polling place must be counted for 

contests and issues for which the voter would have been eligible to 

vote had the voter cast the ballot in the correct precinct unless the 

precinct election official completes Secretary of State Form 12-D 

to demonstrate that the precinct election official directed the voter 

to the correct precinct and the voter refused to go there to vote. 

R.C. 3505.183(D). See Secretary of State Directive 2015-28 for 

additional information.
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C7. Please describe your state’s laws regarding post-election audits, if any. A post-election audit refers 

to hand-counting votes on paper records and comparing those counts to the corresponding vote counts 

originally reported, as a check on the accuracy of election results, and resolving discrepancies using 

accurate hand counts of the paper records as the benchmark. 

If your state has post-election auditing, consider including in your response information such as the unit 

being audited (e.g., precincts, machines); the sampling method (e.g., fixed percentages); whether there is 

a specific trigger for the audit; the location of the random selection (e.g., state, county); and the races 

that can be audited. 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2014 Response: 2016 Response:

There are no provisions in the Ohio Revised Code that 

require a post-election audit. Pursuant to a settlement 

agreement in the case of League of Women Voters, et al. v. 

Brunner, Case No. 3:05-CV-7309, United States District 

Court, Northern District of Ohio, post-election audits are 

required in statewide general elections during even-numbered 

years through 2014. The process for conducting a 

post-election audit is outlined in Secretary of State Directive 

2012-56.

There are no provisions in the Ohio Revised Code that require a 

post-election audit. Pursuant to Secretary of State Directive 

2016-24, a post-election audit is required to be conducted after 

each general election held in an even-numbered year and after 

each presidential primary election.
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C8. Please describe any state requirements for poll worker training. 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2014 Response: 2016 Response:

All precinct election officials are required to complete a 

program of instruction prior to assuming duties on Election 

Day. R.C. 3501.27(B) provides that each board of elections 

shall establish a program as prescribed by the Secretary of 

State for the instruction of election officials in the rules, 

procedures, and laws relating to elections. In each program, 

the boards shall use training materials prepared by the 

Secretary of State and may use additional materials prepared 

by the board of elections. Ohio Secretary of State Directive 

2014-21 outlines the mandatory training requirements for 

precinct election officials.

All precinct election officials are required to complete a program 

of instruction prior to assuming duties on Election Day. R.C. 

3501.27(B) provides that each board of elections shall establish a 

program as prescribed by the Secretary of State for the instruction 

of election officials in the rules, procedures, and laws relating to 

elections. In each program, the boards shall use training materials 

prepared by the Secretary of State and may use additional 

materials prepared by the board of elections. Ohio Secretary of 

State Directive 2015-24 outlines the mandatory training 

requirements for precinct election officials.
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SECTION D: ELECTION DAY ACTIVITIES 

D1. Please describe your state’s process for capturing “over-vote” and “under-vote” counts. 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

D2. What identification does your state require from voters in the following situations: 

a. registering to vote; 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

All voting machines used in a precinct on Election Day have 

the capability of detecting overvotes, and all county boards of 

elections are required to ensure that all voting machines 

over-vote detections are “on.”

Under section 3503.14 of the Ohio Revised Code, an 

individual registering to vote must provide one of the 

following forms of identification: 

1. His or her Ohio driver's license number; 

2. The last four digits of his or her Social Security number; 

3. A copy of his or her current and valid Ohio driver's 

license; 

4. A copy of his or her photo identification card issued by the 

State of Ohio or the United States government; 

5. A copy of his or her military identification; 

6. An original or copy of a utility bill; 

7. An original or copy of a bank statement; 

8. An original or copy of a paycheck; 

9. An original or copy of a government check; or 

10. An original or copy of another government document. 

If an individual does not have a Social Security number or 

Ohio driver's license number, the individual must write 

"none" on the application.
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b. casting an in-person ballot; 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

c. casting a mail-in or absentee vote; 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

Under section 3505.18 of the Ohio Revised Code, an elector 

casting a regular ballot at the polls on Election Day is first 

required to provide one of the following forms of 

identification: 

1. A current and valid Ohio driver’s license; 

2. A current and valid photo identification card issued by the 

State of Ohio or the United States government; 

3. Military identification; 

4. An original or copy of a current utility bill; 

5. An original or copy of a current bank statement; 

6. An original or copy of a current paycheck; 

7. An original or copy of a current government check; or 

8. An original or copy of a current other government 

document.

Under section 3509.05 of the Ohio Revised Code, an elector 

casting an absentee ballot is first required to provide one of 

the following forms of identification: 

1. His or her Ohio driver's license number; 

2. The last four digits of his or her Social Security number; 

3. A copy of his or her current and valid Ohio driver's 

license; 

4. A copy of his or her photo identification card issued by the 

State of Ohio or the United States government; 

5. A copy of his or her military identification; 

6. An original or copy of a current utility bill; 

7. An original or copy of a current bank statement; 

8. An original or copy of a current paycheck; 

9. An original or copy of a current government check; or 

10. An original or copy of a current other government 

document.
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Expiration Date 4/30/2017 

d. casting a ballot under UOCAVA; 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

e. any other stage in registration or voting process in which identification is required (please 

specify). 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

The identification requirements are the same as the 

identification requirements for a regular absentee voter.

Identification is also required when an elector submits an 

absentee ballot application. The identification requirements 

are the same as for casting an absentee ballot, which are 

noted above.
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D3. Please describe your state’s laws regarding access to the polling place for election observers. 

Election observers are people allowed inside the polling place who are not poll workers, election 

officials or voters. If decisions on access to observers are left to local jurisdictions, please explain. 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

2014 Response: 2016 Response:

Section 3505.21 of the Ohio Revised Code prescribes who or 

what entity may appoint an observer, who may be appointed 

to observe, and when an observer may observe. Secretary of 

State Directives 2012-21 and 2012-21-2 provide additional 

guidance on the appointment process and the rights and 

limitations of observers.

Section 3505.21 of the Ohio Revised Code prescribes who or what 

entity may appoint an observer, who may be appointed to observe, 

and when an observer may observe. Secretary of State Directive 

2016-23 provides additional guidance on the appointment process 

and the rights and limitations of observers.
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SECTION E: OTHER 

E1. Under HAVA, Section 402, states are required to establish and maintain administrative complaint 

procedures to remedy grievances. Has your state revised its administrative complaint procedures since 

they were first implemented? If so, how? 

 ☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

E2. Please add any additional comments or information about your state’s election administration 

processes that would help to inform the EAC’s interpretation of your data. 

☐ No Change since 2014 ☐ Changed since 2014 

* The information collection associated with the Election Administration and Voting Survey is required for the EAC to meet 

its statutory requirements under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15301), the National Voter 

Registration Act (NVRA) (42 U.S.C. 1973gg-1 et seq.), and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voters Act 

(UOCAVA) (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-1). Respondent’s obligation to reply to this information collection is mandatory as required 

under NVRA (42 U.S.C. 1973gg-1 et seq.) and UOCAVA (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-1). This part of the information collection is 

being requested to help the EAC to better understand state laws governing Federal elections. Respondents include the fifty 

states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Territories. This information will be made publicly available on the EAC 

website (www.eac.gov). According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a 

person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid 

OMB control number for this information collection is OMB Control No. 3265-0006 (expires 04/30/2017). The time required 

to complete this information collection is estimated to average 59 hours per state response. This estimate includes the time for 

reviewing the instructions, gathering information, and completing the form. Comments regarding this burden estimate should 

be sent the U.S. Election Assistance Commission – 2014 Election Administration and Voting Survey, 1335 East West 

Highway, Suite 4300, Silver Spring MD, 20910.

2016 Response: 2016 Response: 2014 Response: 2014 Response:

The State of Ohio has filed a plan for the implementation of 

the uniform, nondiscriminatory administrative complaint 

procedures required under Section 402 with the Elections 

Assistance Commission. The complaint mechanism required 

under Section 402 is established in the existing Ohio State 

Plan.

None
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Expiration Date 4/30/2017 

NOTES – please place longer responses below 
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