reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.11 | Quantity of Ballots to Be Provided.

Effective:
August 15, 2012
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 295 - 129th General Assembly
(A) The ballots, with the stubs attached, shall be bound into tablets for each precinct, which tablets shall contain at least one per cent more ballots than the total registration in the precinct, except as otherwise provided in division (B) of this section. Upon the covers of the tablets shall be written, printed, or stamped the designation of the precinct for which the ballots have been prepared. All official ballots shall be printed uniformly upon the same kind and quality of paper and shall be of the same shape, size, and type.
Electors who have failed to respond within thirty days to any confirmation notice shall not be counted in determining the number of ballots to be printed under this section.
(B)(1) A board of elections may choose to provide ballots on demand. If a board so chooses, the board shall have prepared for each precinct at least five per cent more ballots for an election than the number specified below for that kind of election:
(a) For a primary election or a special election held on the day of a primary election, the total number of electors in that precinct who voted in the primary election held four years previously;
(b) For a general election or a special election held on the day of a general election, the total number of electors in that precinct who voted in the general election held four years previously;
(c) For a special election held at any time other than on the day of a primary or general election, the total number of electors in that precinct who voted in the most recent primary or general election, whichever of those elections occurred in the precinct most recently.
(2) If, after the board complies with the requirements of division (B)(1) of this section, the election officials of a precinct determine that the precinct will not have enough ballots to enable all the qualified electors in the precinct who wish to vote at a particular election to do so, the officials shall request that the board provide additional ballots, and the board shall provide enough additional ballots, to that precinct in a timely manner so that all qualified electors in that precinct who wish to vote at that election may do so.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.12 | Type Size and Voting Instructions.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
The board of elections shall cause to be printed in English in twelvepoint type on paper or cardboard instructions as issued by the secretary of state for the guidance of electors in marking their ballots. Such instructions shall inform the voters as to how to prepare the ballots for voting, how to obtain a new ballot in case of accidentally spoiling one, and, in a smaller type, a summary of the important sections of the penal law relating to crimes against the elective franchise. The precinct election officials shall cause to be posted immediately in front of or on the polling place and in each voting shelf one or more of such cards of instructions.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.13 | Contract for Printing Ballots.

Effective:
April 3, 2023
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 487 - 134th General Assembly
(A) A contract for the printing of ballots involving a cost in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars shall not be awarded until after a proposal period of fifteen days. During the proposal period, a notice shall be published once in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county, may be posted electronically by email or other electronic means by the board of elections, and may be given by mail by the board of elections, addressed to the responsible printing offices.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in this section, each proposal for a contract described in division (A) of this section must be accompanied by a bid bond in a sum of ten per cent of the amount of the proposal. No proposal unaccompanied by such bid bond shall be considered by the board.
(C) The contract shall be awarded to the most qualified responsible proposer that meets the minimum standards established by the secretary of state under division (D) of this section. The proposer shall post a performance bond equal to one hundred per cent of a single election's contract amount. If the contract is for multiple elections, then the board instead may require the proposer to post a performance bond of a sum equal to one hundred per cent of the board's estimated ballot printing costs for the largest election to be conducted during the contract period.
(D) The secretary of state shall adopt rules establishing printing, mailing, and security standards for vendors that print ballots under contracts entered into under this section, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.
Last updated January 24, 2023 at 12:16 PM
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.14 | Printed Proofs of Ballot.

Effective:
April 3, 2023
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 487 - 134th General Assembly
After the awarding of the contract for the printing of the ballots as provided in section 3505.13 of the Revised Code, the board of elections shall secure from the printer printed proofs of the ballot, and shall notify the chairperson of the local executive committee of each party or group represented on the ballot by candidates or issues, and post such proofs in a public place in the office of the board for a period of at least twenty-four hours for inspection and correction of any errors appearing thereon. The board shall cause such proofs to be read with care and after correcting any errors shall return the corrected copy to the printer.
Last updated January 24, 2023 at 12:17 PM
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.15 | Ballot Packaging.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
The board of elections shall make adequate provision for the inspection of the printing of the ballots. The person to whom the contract for printing the ballots is let shall seal them securely in packages, one package for each precinct in the county or civil division in which the election is to be held, place a paper cover over them, and indicate on such cover the number of ballots contained therein with a space to indicate the precinct, and deliver them to the board at such time and place as the board directs. The board, upon receiving such package, shall give a receipt for the ballots indicating the number of ballots in each package and the number of the precinct in each case.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.16 | Ballot Boxes and Supplies Placement at Polling Place.

Effective:
February 25, 2014
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 109 - 130th General Assembly
Before the opening of the polls, the package of supplies and the ballot box shall be opened in the presence of the precinct officials. The ballot box, the package of ballots, registration forms, and other supplies shall at all times be in full sight of the observers, and no ballot box or unused ballots during the balloting or counting shall be removed or screened from their full sight until the counting has been closed and the final returns completed and the certificate signed by the judges.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.17 | Lost or Destroyed Ballots or Supplies.

Effective:
February 25, 2014
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 109 - 130th General Assembly
If by accident or casualty the ballots or other required papers, lists, or supplies are lost or destroyed, or in case none are delivered at the polling place, or if during the time the polls are open additional ballots or supplies are required, the board of elections, upon requisition by telephone or in writing and signed by a majority of the precinct election officials of the precinct stating why such additional supplies are needed, shall supply them as speedily as possible.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.19 | Affidavit of Religious Objection to Being Photographed.

Effective:
April 7, 2023
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 458 - 134th General Assembly
(A) An elector who does not have photo identification because the elector has a religious objection to being photographed may complete an affidavit of religious objection in lieu of providing photo identification for the purpose of casting a provisional ballot.
(B) The secretary of state shall prescribe the form of the affidavit of religious objection, which shall be substantially as follows:
"Affidavit of Religious Objection
I, _______________________ (first and last name of elector), declare under penalty of election falsification that I do not have photo identification because I have a sincere religious objection to being photographed.
The last four digits of my Social Security number are: ______
________________________
(Signature of individual)
WHOEVER COMMITS ELECTION FALSIFICATION IS GUILTY OF A FELONY OF THE FIFTH DEGREE."
(C) Upon receiving a completed affidavit of religious objection, the board of elections shall transmit the information in the affidavit to the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall consult the database of the bureau of motor vehicles to determine whether the registrar of motor vehicles or a deputy registrar has issued a currently unexpired photo identification to the elector and shall notify the board of the result.
(D) An affidavit of religious objection is not valid if either of the following apply:
(1) The last four digits of the elector's social security number, as provided on the affidavit, are different from the last four digits of the elector's social security number in the statewide voter registration database.
(2) The registrar of motor vehicles or a deputy registrar has issued a currently unexpired photo identification to the elector.
Last updated January 31, 2023 at 4:45 PM
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.22 | Impersonating an Elector.

Effective:
June 1, 2006
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 3 - 126th General Assembly
If any precinct officer has reason to believe that a person is impersonating an elector, that person, before being given a ballot, shall be questioned as to the person's right to vote, and shall be required to sign the person's name or make the person's mark in ink on a card to be provided. If, in the opinion of a majority of the precinct officers, the signature is not that of the person who signed the name in the registration forms, that person shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.24 | Providing Assistance to Blind, Disabled or Illiterate Electors.

Effective:
June 26, 2013
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 109, Senate Bill 10, Senate Bill 205 - 130th General Assembly
Notwithstanding any provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, any elector who does both of the following may be accompanied in the voting booth and aided by any person of the elector's choice, other than the elector's employer, an agent of the elector's employer, or an officer or agent of the elector's union, if any:
(A) Appears to vote on the day of an election or appears at the office of the board of elections to cast absent voter's ballots in person; and
(B) Declares to the presiding judge of elections or to the election official who is accepting applications to cast absent voter's ballots in person that the elector is unable to mark the elector's ballot by reason of blindness, disability, or illiteracy.
The elector also may request and receive assistance in the marking of the elector's ballot from two election officials of different political parties. Any person providing assistance in the marking of an elector's ballot under this section shall thereafter provide no information in regard to the marking of that ballot.
Any election official may require a declaration of inability to be made by the elector under oath before the election official. Assistance shall not be rendered for causes other than those specified in this section, and no candidate whose name appears on the ballot shall assist any person in marking that person's ballot.
The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.26 | Closing Polls Procedures.

Effective:
February 25, 2014
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 109 - 130th General Assembly
At the time for closing the polls, the voting location manager shall by proclamation announce that the polls are closed.
The precinct election officials shall then in the presence of observers proceed as follows:
(A) Count the number of electors who voted, as shown on the pollbooks;
(B) Count the unused ballots without removing stubs;
(C) Count the soiled and defaced ballots;
(D) Insert the totals of (A), (B), and (C) on the report forms provided therefor in the pollbook;
(E) Count the voted ballots. If the number of voted ballots exceeds the number of voters whose names appear upon the pollbooks, the voting location manager shall enter on the pollbooks an explanation of that discrepancy, and that explanation, if agreed to, shall be subscribed to by all of the precinct election officials. Any precinct official having a different explanation shall enter it in the pollbooks and subscribe to it.
(F) Put the unused ballots with stubs attached, and soiled and defaced ballots with stubs attached, in the envelopes or containers provided therefor, certify the number, and then proceed to count and tally the votes in the manner prescribed by section 3505.27 of the Revised Code and certify the result of the election to the board of elections.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.27 | Counting and Tallying of Ballots.

Effective:
June 1, 2006
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 3 - 126th General Assembly
Unless otherwise ordered by the secretary of state or the board of elections, the counting and tallying of ballots shall be conducted according to procedures prescribed by the board of elections that assure an accurate count of all votes cast and that include all of the following:
(A) The counting and tallying of ballots at the appropriate office, as designated by the board, in the full view of members of the board and observers;
(B) The recording on a worksheet or other appropriate document of the number of votes cast for each candidate and the number of votes cast for and against each question or issue;
(C) The periodic reporting to the public and the office of the secretary of state of the number of votes cast for each candidate and the number of votes cast for and against each question or issue as tallied at the time of the report;
(D) An examination and verification by the appropriate authority, as designated by the board, of the votes so tallied and recorded in the pollbook under section 3505.26 of the Revised Code.
The board shall prescribe additional procedures as necessary to assure an accurate count of all votes cast. These procedures shall be followed until all of the ballots that are required to be counted on the day of the election after the close of the polls have been counted.
All work sheets that are prepared at the polling locations shall be preserved and placed inside the pollbook and returned to the board.
If there is any disagreement as to how a ballot should be counted, it shall be submitted to the members of the board for a decision on whether or to what extent the ballot should be counted. If three of the members do not agree as to how any part of the ballot shall be counted, only that part of the ballot on which three of the members do agree shall be counted. A notation shall be made upon the ballot indicating what part has not been counted, and the ballot shall be placed in an envelope marked "Disputed Ballots."
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.28 | Rejection of Ballots.

Effective:
August 15, 2012
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 295 - 129th General Assembly
No ballot shall be counted which is marked contrary to law, except that no ballot shall be rejected for any technical error unless it is impossible to determine the voter's choice. If two or more ballots are found folded together among the ballots removed from a ballot box, they shall be deemed to be fraudulent. Such ballots shall not be counted. They shall be marked "Fraudulent" and shall be placed in an envelope indorsed "Not Counted" with the reasons therefor, and such envelope shall be delivered to the board of elections together with other uncounted ballots.
No ballot shall be rejected because of being marked with ink or by any writing instrument other than one of the pencils provided by the board of elections.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.29 | Precinct Election Officials Not to Separate or Leave Until Counting Completed.

Effective:
February 25, 2014
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 109 - 130th General Assembly
From the time the ballot box is opened and the count of ballots begun until the ballots are counted and certificates of votes cast are made out, signed, certified and given to the voting location manager for delivery to the headquarters of the board of elections, the precinct election officials in each precinct shall not separate, nor shall a precinct election official leave the polling place except from unavoidable necessity. In cases of illness or unavoidable necessity, the board may substitute another qualified person for any precinct official so incapacitated.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.30 | Summary Statement of Results.

Effective:
February 25, 2014
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 109 - 130th General Assembly
When the results of the ballots have been ascertained, such results shall be embodied in a summary statement to be prepared by the precinct election officials in duplicate, on forms provided by the board of elections. One copy shall be certified by the precinct election officials and posted on the front of the polling place, and one copy, similarly certified, shall be transmitted without delay to the board in a sealed envelope along with the other returns of the election. The board shall, immediately upon receipt of such summary statements, compile and prepare an unofficial count and upon its completion shall transmit prepaid, immediately by telephone, facsimile machine, or other telecommunications device, the results of such unofficial count to the secretary of state, or to the board of the most populous county of the district which is authorized to canvass the returns. Such count, in no event, shall be made later than twelve noon on the day following the election. The board shall also, at the same time, certify the results thereof to the secretary of state by certified mail. The board shall remain in session from the time of the opening of the polls, continuously, until the results of the election are received from every precinct in the county and such results are communicated to the secretary of state.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.34 | Canvass of Abstracts of Votes for State Executive Offices by General Assembly.

Effective:
April 7, 2023
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 458 - 134th General Assembly
During the first week of the regular session of the general assembly following a regular state election, the president of the senate, in the presence of a majority of the members of each house of the general assembly, shall open, announce, and canvass the abstracts of the votes cast for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor of state, treasurer of state, and attorney general, as contained in the Form No. 2 sent to the president of the senate as required by section 3505.33 of the Revised Code, and shall determine and declare the results of such election for such offices. The joint candidates for governor and lieutenant governor and the candidate for each other office who received the largest number of votes shall be declared elected to such office. If two or more candidates for election to the same office, or two or more sets of joint candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, receive the largest and an equal number of votes, one of them, or one set of joint candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, shall be declared elected to such office by a majority of the votes of all of the members of the senate and the house of representatives of the general assembly. If said Form No. 2 has not at such time been received by the president of the senate from the board of elections of any county, the secretary of state, upon request of the president of the senate, shall furnish to the president of the senate such copies of said Form No. 2 as have not been received by the president of the senate. When said canvass has been completed and the results of the election declared, the president of the senate shall certify to the secretary of state the names of the persons declared elected together with the title of the office to which each has been elected, and from such certification the secretary of state shall issue a certificate of election to the officials declared elected and so certified to the secretary of state. Thereupon the governor shall forthwith issue a commission to each of the persons elected to such offices.
Last updated January 24, 2023 at 3:59 PM
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.35 | Canvass of Abstracts by Secretary of State.

Effective:
August 22, 1995
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly
When the secretary of state has received from the board of elections of every county in the state Form No. 2, as provided for in section 3505.33 of the Revised Code, the secretary of state shall promptly fix the time and place for the canvass of such abstracts, and the time fixed shall not be later than ten days after such abstracts have been received by the secretary of state from all counties. The secretary of state shall notify the governor, auditor of state, attorney general, and the chairman of the state central committee of each political party of the time and place fixed. At such time and in the presence of such of the persons so notified who attend, the secretary of state shall canvass the abstracts contained in said Form No. 2 and shall determine and declare the results of all elections in which electors throughout the entire state voted. If two or more candidates for election to the same office, or two or more sets of joint candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, receive the largest and an equal number of votes, such tie shall be resolved by lot by the secretary of state. Such declaration of results by the secretary of state shall be in writing and shall be signed by the secretary of state. It shall bear the date of the day upon which it is made, and a copy thereof shall be posted by the secretary of state in a conspicuous place in his office. The secretary of state shall keep such copy posted for a period of at least five days.
Such declaration of results made by the secretary of state, insofar as it pertains to the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor of state, treasurer of state, and attorney general, is only for the purpose of fixing the time of the commencement of the period of time within which applications for recounts of votes may be filed as provided by section 3515.02 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.36 | Canvass of Abstracts of Multi County Candidates and Issues.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
When the board of elections of the most populous county of a district comprised of more than one county but less than all of the counties of the state has received from the board of every county in such district certified copies of parts of abstracts pertaining to an election in which only the electors of such district voted, such board shall canvass such parts of abstracts and determine and declare the results of the elections determined by the electors of such district. If more than the number of candidates to be elected to an office receive the largest number and an equal number of votes, such tie shall be resolved by lot by the chairman of such board in the presence of all of the members of such board. Such declaration of results by such board shall be in writing and shall be signed by at least a majority of the members of such board. It shall bear the date of the day upon which it was made, and a copy thereof shall be posted by the board in a conspicuous place in its office. The board shall keep such copy posted for a period of at least five days.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.37 | Canvass of Abstracts by County Where Major Portion of a Subdivision Involved Is Located.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
When the board of elections of a county in which the major portion of the population of a subdivision located in more than one county is located receives from the boards of each county in which other portions of such subdivision are located parts of abstracts pertaining to an election in which only the electors of such subdivision voted, such board shall canvass such parts of abstracts and determine and declare the results of the elections determined by the electors of such subdivision. If more than the number of candidates to be elected to an office receive the largest number and an equal number of votes, such tie shall be resolved by lot by the chairman of such board in the presence of a majority of the members of such board. Such declaration of results by such board shall be in writing and shall be signed by at least a majority of the members of such board. It shall bear the date of the day upon which it is made, and a copy thereof shall be posted by such board in a conspicuous place in its office. The board shall keep such copy posted for a period of at least five days.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.38 | Certificates of Election.

Effective:
April 7, 2023
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 458 - 134th General Assembly
Election officials who are required to declare the results of a special or general election in which persons were elected to offices shall, unless otherwise provided by law, issue to the persons declared elected by them appropriate certificates of election in such form as is prescribed by the secretary of state. Such certificates of election shall be issued by such election officials after the time within which applications may be made for recounts of votes has expired, and after recounts of votes which have been applied for are completed.
All persons declared to be elected by the president of the senate as provided for in section 3505.34 of the Revised Code shall be issued certificates of election by the secretary of state as provided for in such section and shall be issued commissions for such offices by the governor, provided that the board of elections required to determine and declare the results of the election for candidates for election to the office of member of the house of representatives of the congress of the United States or member of the state board of education shall, in lieu of issuing a certificate of election, certify to the secretary of state the names of such candidates declared elected, and the secretary of state, from such certification, shall issue to the persons certified to the secretary of state as elected as a member of the house of representatives of the congress of the United States or member of the state board of education a certificate of the person's election, signed by the governor, sealed with the great seal of the state, and countersigned by the secretary of state. Certificates of election of members of the house of representatives of the congress of the United States shall be forwarded by registered mail to the clerk of the house of representatives of the congress of the United States, Washington, D.C., and the person elected to such office shall be advised by letter from the secretary of state that the person's certificate of election has been forwarded to said clerk.
Last updated January 24, 2023 at 4:00 PM
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3505 | General and Special Election Ballots › Section 3505.40 | Electoral Vote to Be Cast for Party Nominees.

Effective:
November 14, 1969
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 500 - 108th General Assembly
A presidential elector elected at a general election or appointed pursuant to section 3505.39 of the Revised Code shall, when discharging the duties enjoined upon him by the constitution or laws of the United States, cast his electoral vote for the nominees for president and vice-president of the political party which certified him to the secretary of state as a presidential elector pursuant to law.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3506 | Voting and Tabulating Equipment › Section 3506.02 | Manner of Adopting Voting Machines, Marking Devices, and Automatic Tabulating Equipment.

Effective:
July 2, 2010
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly
Voting machines, marking devices, and automatic tabulating equipment may be adopted for use in elections in any county in the following manner:
(A) By the board of elections;
(B) By the board of county commissioners of such county on the recommendation of the board of elections;
(C) By the affirmative vote of a majority of the electors of such county voting upon the question of the adoption of such equipment in such county.
If a petition signed by electors equal in number to two per cent of the total votes cast in the county for the office of governor at the most recent general election for that office is filed with the board of elections, such board shall submit to the electors of such county at the next general election occurring not less than ninety days thereafter the question "Shall voting machines, marking devices, and automatic tabulating equipment be adopted in the county of ________________________?" Upon the filing of such petition, the board of elections shall forthwith notify the board of county commissioners, and the board of county commissioners shall forthwith determine whether it would prefer to purchase or lease such equipment in whole or in part for cash and if so whether it will be necessary or advisable to issue bonds to provide funds for the purchase of such equipment, if adopted. If the board of county commissioners determines that it is necessary or advisable to issue bonds therefor, it shall by resolution provide for the submission on the same ballot, but as a separate issue, the question of issuing such bonds. The question of issuing such bonds shall be submitted as required by division (A) of section 3506.03 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3506 | Voting and Tabulating Equipment › Section 3506.021 | Use of Electronic Pollbook.

Effective:
February 25, 2014
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 109 - 130th General Assembly
(A) A board of elections may adopt the use of any electronic pollbook that has been certified for use in this state in accordance with section 3506.05 of the Revised Code, instead of using poll lists or signature pollbooks. A board of elections that opts to use electronic pollbooks shall notify the secretary of state of that decision.
(B) The secretary of state shall provide each board of elections that adopts the use of electronic pollbooks under division (A) of this section with rules, instructions, directives, and advisories regarding the examination, testing, and use of electronic pollbooks, including rules regarding the sealing of the information in those pollbooks as required under section 3505.31 of the Revised Code.
(C) As used in this section, "electronic pollbook" has the same meaning as in section 3506.05 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3506 | Voting and Tabulating Equipment › Section 3506.03 | Acquisition of Equipment.

Effective:
July 22, 1994
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 143 - 120th General Assembly
Upon the adoption of voting machines, marking devices, and automatic tabulating equipment either by the action of the board of elections or by the board of county commissioners, on the recommendation of the board of elections or by the affirmative vote of a majority of the electors voting on the question of the adoption of such equipment, such board of county commissioners shall acquire the equipment by any one or by any combination of the following methods:
(A) By purchasing in whole or in part such equipment and paying the purchase price therefor in cash; or out of the proceeds of the issuance and sale of bonds, provided the question of issuing bonds for such purpose was submitted to the vote of the electors of the county pursuant to section 133.18 of the Revised Code and provided the issuance of such bonds was approved;
(B) By purchasing in whole or in part such equipment and paying the purchase price in a series of consecutive annual approximately equal installments the number of which shall not exceed the estimated number of years of usefulness of such equipment, as determined by the fiscal officer of the county and by issuing to the seller negotiable promissory notes of the county, evidencing the annual installments to become due, specifying the terms of purchase, and bearing interest at a rate not exceeding the rate determined as provided in section 9.95 of the Revised Code, which notes shall be public obligations as defined in division (GG)(2) of section 133.01 of the Revised Code and shall not be subject to Chapter 133. of the Revised Code, provided the legislation authorizing the issuance of such notes shall make provision for levying and collecting annually by taxation amounts sufficient to pay the interest on such notes and to provide for the payment of the principal thereof when due, and provided that the amounts of such tax so levied each year may be reduced by the amount by which revenues available for appropriation for the payment of the expenses of conducting elections are appropriated for, and applied to, the payment of such interest and principal of such notes;
(C) By leasing such equipment in whole or in part under contract of lease which shall provide for the rental, and also may provide for an option to purchase them or parts of them at a fixed price with the rentals paid to be applied to the purchase price, and payments under such contracts of lease may be made by the county out of funds of the county not otherwise appropriated; or which may be appropriated by the board of county commissioners, out of funds appropriated by the board of county commissioners to the board of elections for the costs and expenses of elections, with the approval of the board of elections; or out of the funds the board of county commissioners is authorized to provide by a levy and collection thereof annually by taxation.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3506 | Voting and Tabulating Equipment › Section 3506.04 | Acquisition of Equipment in Stages.

Effective:
August 22, 1995
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly
(A) If it is impracticable to supply each election precinct with voting machines or marking devices for use at the next election following the adoption of such equipment, as many shall be supplied for that election and the succeeding elections as it is practicable to procure either by purchase or lease, or by a combination of both, and such equipment may be used in election precincts within the county as the board of elections directs until such time as it is practicable to provide the total number of voting machines or marking devices necessary to supply all precincts within the county, provided that the total number of voting machines or marking devices necessary to supply all precincts shall be procured by purchase or lease, or by a combination of both as soon as practicable after their adoption.
(B) The board of elections shall be charged with the custody of all equipment acquired by the county, and shall see that all such equipment is kept in proper working order and in good repair. The board of county commissioners of any county or the board of elections, upon recommendation of the board of elections, may, prior to the adoption of such equipment, acquire by purchase or lease or by loan, for the experimental use in a limited number of precincts, such equipment, and such experimental use shall be valid for all purposes as if such equipment had been formally adopted, provided that such equipment has been approved by the board of voting machine examiners for experimental use.
(C) All equipment acquired by any county by any of the methods provided for in this section shall be exempt from levy and taxation.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3506 | Voting and Tabulating Equipment › Section 3506.06 | Marking Device Specifications.

Effective:
September 29, 2017
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly
No marking device shall be approved by the board of voting machine examiners or certified by the secretary of state, or be purchased, rented, or otherwise acquired, or used, unless it fulfills the following requirements:
(A) It shall permit and require voting in absolute secrecy, and shall be so constructed that no person can see or know for whom any other elector has voted or is voting, except an elector who is assisting a voter as prescribed by section 3505.24 of the Revised Code.
(B) It shall permit each elector to vote at any election for all persons and offices for whom and for which the elector is lawfully entitled to vote, whether or not the name of any such person appears on a ballot as a candidate; to vote for as many persons for an office as the elector is entitled to vote for; and to vote for or against any question upon which the elector is entitled to vote.
(C) It shall permit each elector to write in the names of persons for whom the elector desires to vote, whose names do not appear upon the ballot, if such write-in candidates are permitted by law.
(D) It shall permit each elector, at all presidential elections, by one mark to vote for candidates of one party for president, vice president, and presidential electors.
(E) It shall be durably constructed of material of good quality in a neat and workerlike manner, and in form that shall make it safely transportable.
(F) It shall be so constructed that a voter may readily learn the method of operating it and may expeditiously cast the voter's vote for all candidates of the voter's choice.
(G) It shall not provide to a voter any type of receipt or voter confirmation that the voter legally may retain after leaving the polling place.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3506 | Voting and Tabulating Equipment › Section 3506.07 | Automatic Tabulating Equipment.

Effective:
September 29, 2017
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly
No automatic tabulating equipment shall be approved by the board of voting machine examiners or certified by the secretary of state, or be purchased, rented, or otherwise acquired, or used, unless it has been or is capable of being manufactured for use and distribution beyond a prototype and can be set by election officials, to examine ballots and to count votes accurately for each candidate, question, and issue, excluding any ballots marked contrary to the instructions printed on such ballots, provided that such equipment shall not be required to count write-in votes or the votes on any ballots that have been voted other than at the regular polling place on election day.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3506 | Voting and Tabulating Equipment › Section 3506.08 | Printed Ballot Card Specifications.

Effective:
August 22, 1995
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly
When a marking device designed for use with printed ballot cards has been approved by the secretary of state pursuant to section 3506.05 of the Revised Code, the secretary of state shall for each election prescribe specifications for the printing of such ballot cards that will present to voters the same information with respect to candidates, offices, questions, and issues obtainable from paper ballots for the same election prepared pursuant to Chapter 3505. of the Revised Code.
Each ballot card shall have attached two stubs, each of the width of the ballot and each at least one-half inch in length, except that, if the board of elections has an alternate method to account for the ballots that the secretary of state has authorized, each ballot card may have only one stub that shall be the width of the ballot and not less than one-half inch in length. In the case of ballot cards with two stubs, the stubs shall be separated from the ballot card and from each other by perforated lines. One stub shall be known as Stub A and shall have printed on its face "Stub A" and "Consecutive Number _____" The other stub shall be known as Stub B and shall have printed on its face "Stub B" and "Consecutive Number _____" and the instructions to the voter which shall be printed in upper and lower case ten point type. Each ballot card of each kind of ballot provided for use in each precinct shall be numbered consecutively by printing such number upon both of the stubs attached thereto. The board of elections may order the ballot type, part, rotation series, and the precinct designation printed and pre-punched at the top of each ballot card. This information shall be separated from the remaining portion of the ballot card.
The secretary of state shall further prescribe the supplementary means, whether paper ballots, ballot envelopes, or other, by which a voter may write in the names of candidates whose names do not appear on the ballot.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3506 | Voting and Tabulating Equipment › Section 3506.09 | Marking Devices Designed for Use With Electronic Data Processing Cards.

Effective:
August 22, 1995
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly
Where a marking device designed for use with electronic data processing cards has been approved by the secretary of state pursuant to section 3506.05 of the Revised Code, the secretary of state shall for each election prescribe for use with such marking device ballot labels that will present to voters the same information with respect to candidates, offices, questions, and issues obtainable from paper ballots for the same election prepared pursuant to Chapter 3505. of the Revised Code.
Each ballot card shall have attached two stubs, each of the width of the ballot and each at least one-half inch in length, except that, if the board of elections has an alternate method to account for the ballots that the secretary of state has authorized, each ballot card may have only one stub that shall be the width of the ballot and not less than one-half inch in length. In the case of ballot cards with two stubs, the stubs shall be separated from the ballot card and from each other by perforated lines. One stub shall be known as Stub A and shall have printed on its face "Stub A" and "Consecutive Number _____" The other stub shall be known as Stub B and shall have printed on its face "Stub B" and "Consecutive Number _____" and the instructions to the voter which shall be printed in upper and lower case ten point type. Each ballot card of each kind of ballot provided for use in each precinct shall be numbered consecutively by printing such number upon both of the stubs attached thereto. The board of elections may order the ballot type, part, rotation series, and the precinct designation printed and pre-punched at the top of each ballot card. This information shall be separated from the remaining portion of the ballot card.
The secretary of state shall further prescribe the supplementary means, whether paper ballots, ballot envelopes, or other, by which a voter may write in the names of candidates whose names do not appear on the ballot.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3506 | Voting and Tabulating Equipment › Section 3506.11 | Rotation of Candidates' Names.

Effective:
February 5, 2014
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 193 - 130th General Assembly
The names of all candidates for an office shall be arranged in a group under the title of the office and printed on labels so that they may be rotated on the voting machine as provided in section 3505.03 of the Revised Code. Under the name of each candidate nominated at a primary election, nominated by petition under section 3517.012 of the Revised Code, or certified by a party committee to fill a vacancy under section 3513.31 of the Revised Code, the name of the political party that nominated or certified the candidate shall be printed in less prominent typeface than that in which the candidate's name is printed.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 35 | Elections › Chapter 3506 | Voting and Tabulating Equipment › Section 3506.12 | County Board to Combine, Rearrange or Enlarge Precincts - Counting Stations.

Effective:
April 6, 2023
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 281 - 134th General Assembly
In counties where marking devices, automatic tabulating equipment, voting machines, or any combination of these are in use or are to be used, the board of elections:
(A) May combine, rearrange, and enlarge precincts; but the board shall arrange for a sufficient number of these devices to accommodate the number of electors in each precinct as determined by the number of votes cast in that precinct at the most recent election for the office of governor, taking into consideration the size and location of each selected polling place, available parking, accessibility for persons with disabilities and other accessibility to the polling place, and the number of candidates and issues to be voted on. Notwithstanding section 3501.22 of the Revised Code, the board may appoint more than four precinct officers to each precinct if this is made necessary by the number of voting machines to be used in that precinct.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in this division, shall establish one or more counting stations to receive voted ballots and other precinct election supplies after the polling precincts are closed. Those stations shall be under the supervision and direction of the board of elections. Processing and counting of voted ballots, and the preparation of summary sheets, shall be done in the presence of observers approved by the board. A certified copy of the summary sheet for the precinct shall be posted at each counting station immediately after completion of the summary sheet.
Last updated March 10, 2023 at 12:13 PM