As Introduced

133rd General Assembly

Regular Session H. B. No. 687
2019-2020
Representatives Hicks-Hudson, Sweeney
Cosponsors: Representatives Blair, Boggs, Boyd, Brent, Brown, Cera, Clites,
Crawley, Denson, Galonski, Howse, Ingram, Kelly, Leland, Lepore-Hagan,
Lightbody, Liston, Miller, J., Miranda, O'Brien, Patterson, Robinson, Rogers,
Russo, Sheehy, Smith, K., Sobecki, Sykes, Upchurch, Weinstein, West, Skindell

A BILL
To amend sections 3501.05, 3501.10, 3501.11, 1
3501.22, 3501.29, 3503.09, 3503.10, 3503.14, 2
3503.16, 3503.19, 3503.20, 3503.21, 3503.28, 3
3505.18, 3505.181, 3505.182, 3505.183, 3509.02, 4
3509.05, 3509.051, 3509.06, 3509.07, 3509.09, 5
3511.09, 3511.11, and 3599.11; to enact sections 6
3509.052 and 3509.053; and to repeal section 7
3503.29 of the Revised Code to make changes to 8
the Election Law. 9

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1. That sections 3501.05, 3501.10, 3501.11, 10

3501.22, 3501.29, 3503.09, 3503.10, 3503.14, 3503.16, 3503.19, 11
3503.20, 3503.21, 3503.28, 3505.18, 3505.181, 3505.182, 12
3505.183, 3509.02, 3509.05, 3509.051, 3509.06, 3509.07, 3509.09, 13
3511.09, 3511.11, and 3599.11 be amended and sections 3509.052 14
and 3509.053 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows: 15

Sec. 3501.05. The secretary of state shall do all of the 16

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As Introduced

following: 17

(A) Appoint all members of boards of elections; 18

(B) Issue instructions by directives and advisories in 19

accordance with section 3501.053 of the Revised Code to members 20
of the boards as to the proper methods of conducting elections. 21

(C) Prepare rules and instructions for the conduct of 22

elections; 23

(D) Publish and furnish to the boards from time to time a 24

sufficient number of indexed copies of all election laws then in 25
force; 26

(E) Edit and issue all pamphlets concerning proposed laws 27

or amendments required by law to be submitted to the voters; 28

(F) Prescribe the form of registration cards, blanks, and 29

records; 30

(G) Determine and prescribe the forms of ballots and the 31

forms of all blanks, cards of instructions, pollbooks, tally 32
sheets, certificates of election, and forms and blanks required 33
by law for use by candidates, committees, and boards; 34

(H) Prepare the ballot title or statement to be placed on 35

the ballot for any proposed law or amendment to the constitution 36
to be submitted to the voters of the state; 37

(I) Except as otherwise provided in section 3519.08 of the 38

Revised Code, certify to the several boards the forms of ballots 39
and names of candidates for state offices, and the form and 40
wording of state referendum questions and issues, as they shall 41
appear on the ballot; 42

(J) Except as otherwise provided in division (I)(2)(b) of 43

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As Introduced

section 3501.38 of the Revised Code, give final approval to 44

ballot language for any local question or issue approved and 45
transmitted by boards of elections under section 3501.11 of the 46
Revised Code; 47

(K) Receive all initiative and referendum petitions on 48

state questions and issues and determine and certify to the 49
sufficiency of those petitions; 50

(L) Require such reports from the several boards as are 51

provided by law, or as the secretary of state considers 52
necessary; 53

(M) Compel the observance by election officers in the 54

several counties of the requirements of the election laws; 55

(N)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (N)(2) of 56

this section, investigate the administration of election laws, 57
frauds, and irregularities in elections in any county, and 58
report violations of election laws to the attorney general or 59
prosecuting attorney, or both, for prosecution; 60

(2) On and after August 24, 1995, report a failure to 61

comply with or a violation of a provision in sections 3517.08 to 62
3517.13, 3517.20 to 3517.22, 3599.03, or 3599.031 of the Revised 63
Code, whenever the secretary of state has or should have 64
knowledge of a failure to comply with or a violation of a 65
provision in one of those sections, by filing a complaint with 66
the Ohio elections commission under section 3517.153 of the 67
Revised Code. 68

(O) Make an annual report to the governor containing the 69

results of elections, the cost of elections in the various 70
counties, a tabulation of the votes in the several political 71
subdivisions, and other information and recommendations relative 72
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As Introduced

to elections the secretary of state considers desirable; 73

(P) Prescribe and distribute to boards of elections a list 74

of instructions indicating all legal steps necessary to petition 75
successfully for local option elections under sections 4301.32 76
to 4301.41, 4303.29, 4305.14, and 4305.15 of the Revised Code; 77

(Q) Adopt rules pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised 78

Code for the removal by boards of elections of ineligible voters 79
from the statewide voter registration database and, if 80
applicable, from the poll list or signature pollbook used in 81
each precinct, which rules shall provide for all of the 82
following: 83

(1) A process for the removal of using information 84

obtained from the national change of address service provided by 85
the United States postal service system through its licensees to 86
remove voters who have changed residence, which to a location 87
outside this state. That process shall be uniform, 88
nondiscriminatory, and in compliance with the Voting Rights Act 89
of 1965 and the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, 90
including a program that uses the national change of address 91
service provided by the United States postal system through its 92
licensees; 93

(2) A process for the removal of ineligible voters under 94

section 3503.21 of the Revised Code; 95

(3) A uniform system for marking or removing the name of a 96

voter who is ineligible to vote from the statewide voter 97
registration database and, if applicable, from the poll list or 98
signature pollbook used in each precinct and noting the reason 99
for that mark or removal. 100

(R) Prescribe a general program for registering voters or 101

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As Introduced

updating voter registration information, such as name and 102

residence changes, by boards of elections, designated agencies, 103
offices of deputy registrars of motor vehicles, public high 104
schools and vocational schools, public libraries, public 105
employment offices as described in section 4141.04 of the 106
Revised Code, OhioMeansJobs centers as defined in section 107
6301.01 of the Revised Code, and offices of county treasurers 108
consistent with the requirements of section 3503.09 of the 109
Revised Code; 110

(S) Prescribe a program of distribution of voter 111

registration forms through boards of elections, designated 112
agencies, offices of the registrar and deputy registrars of 113
motor vehicles, public high schools and vocational schools, 114
public libraries, public employment offices as described in 115
section 4141.04 of the Revised Code, OhioMeansJobs centers as 116
defined in section 6301.01 of the Revised Code, and offices of 117
county treasurers; 118

(T) To the extent feasible, provide copies, at no cost and 119

upon request, of the voter registration form in post offices in 120
this state; 121

(U) Adopt rules pursuant to section 111.15 of the Revised 122

Code for the purpose of implementing the program for registering 123
voters through boards of elections, designated agencies, and the 124
offices of the registrar and deputy registrars of motor vehicles 125
consistent with this chapter; 126

(V) Establish the full-time position of Americans with 127

Disabilities Act coordinator within the office of the secretary 128
of state to do all of the following: 129

(1) Assist the secretary of state with ensuring that there 130
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As Introduced

is equal access to polling places for persons with disabilities; 131

(2) Assist the secretary of state with ensuring that each 132
voter may cast the voter's ballot in a manner that provides the 133
same opportunity for access and participation, including privacy 134
and independence, as for other voters; 135

(3) Advise the secretary of state in the development of 136

standards for the certification of voting machines, marking 137
devices, and automatic tabulating equipment. 138

(W) Establish and maintain a computerized statewide 139

database of all legally registered voters under section 3503.15 140
of the Revised Code that complies with the requirements of the 141
"Help America Vote Act of 2002," Pub. L. No. 107-252, 116 Stat. 142
1666, and provide training in the operation of that system; 143

(X) Ensure that all directives, advisories, other 144

instructions, or decisions issued or made during or as a result 145
of any conference or teleconference call with a board of 146
elections to discuss the proper methods and procedures for 147
conducting elections, to answer questions regarding elections, 148
or to discuss the interpretation of directives, advisories, or 149
other instructions issued by the secretary of state are posted 150
on a web site of the office of the secretary of state as soon as 151
is practicable after the completion of the conference or 152
teleconference call, but not later than the close of business on 153
the same day as the conference or teleconference call takes 154
place. 155

(Y) Publish a report on a web site of the office of the 156

secretary of state not later than one month after the completion 157
of the canvass of the election returns for each primary and 158
general election, identifying, by county, the number of absent 159
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As Introduced

voter's ballots cast and the number of those ballots that were 160
counted, and the number of provisional ballots cast and the 161
number of those ballots that were counted, for that election. 162
The secretary of state shall maintain the information on the web 163
site in an archive format for each subsequent election. 164

(Z) Conduct a comprehensive voter education program 165

outlining voter identification, absent voters ballotvoter's 166
ballots, provisional ballot, and other voting requirements 167
through the use of broadcast, cable, or satellite 168
communications, radio stations, print media, or internet social 169
media outlets; 170

(AA) Establish a procedure by which a registered elector 171

may make available to a board of elections a more recent 172
signature to be used in the poll list or signature pollbook 173
produced by the board of elections of the county in which the 174
elector resides; 175

(BB) Disseminate information, which may include all or 176

part of the official explanations and arguments, by means of 177
direct mail or other written publication, broadcast, or other 178
means or combination of means, as directed by the Ohio ballot 179
board under division (F) of section 3505.062 of the Revised 180
Code, in order to inform the voters as fully as possible 181
concerning each proposed constitutional amendment, proposed law, 182
or referendum; 183

(CC) Be the single state office responsible for the 184

implementation of the "Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee 185
Voting Act," Pub. L. No. 99-410, 100 Stat. 924, 42 52 U.S.C. 186
1973ff, 20301 et seq., as amended, in this state. The secretary 187
of state may delegate to the boards of elections 188
responsibilities for the implementation of that act, including 189
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As Introduced

responsibilities arising from amendments to that act made by the 190

"Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act," Subtitle H of the 191
"National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010," Pub. 192
L. No. 111-84, 123 Stat. 3190. 193

(DD) Adopt rules, under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, 194
to establish procedures and standards for determining when a 195
board of elections shall be placed under the official oversight 196
of the secretary of state, placing a board of elections under 197
the official oversight of the secretary of state, a board that 198
is under official oversight to transition out of official 199
oversight, and the secretary of state to supervise a board of 200
elections that is under official oversight of the secretary of 201
state. 202

(EE) Adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to 203
establish procedures for maintaining election administration 204
plans required under division (BB) of section 3501.11 of the 205
Revised Code, including whether any information in an election 206
administration plan is not a public record under section 149.433 207
of the Revised Code. 208

(FF) Perform other duties required by law. 209

Whenever a primary election is held under section 3513.32 210

of the Revised Code or a special election is held under section 211
3521.03 of the Revised Code to fill a vacancy in the office of 212
representative to congress, the secretary of state shall 213
establish a deadline, notwithstanding any other deadline 214
required under the Revised Code, by which any or all of the 215
following shall occur: the filing of a declaration of candidacy 216
and petitions or a statement of candidacy and nominating 217
petition together with the applicable filing fee; the filing of 218
protests against the candidacy of any person filing a 219
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As Introduced

declaration of candidacy or nominating petition; the filing of a 220

declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate; the filing of 221
campaign finance reports; the preparation of, and the making of 222
corrections or challenges to, precinct voter registration lists; 223
the receipt of applications for absent voter's ballots or 224
uniformed services or overseas absent voter's ballots; the 225
supplying of election materials to precincts by boards of 226
elections; the holding of hearings by boards of elections to 227
consider challenges to the right of a person to appear on a 228
voter registration list; and the scheduling of programs to 229
instruct or reinstruct election officers. 230

In the performance of the secretary of state's duties as 231

the chief election officer, the secretary of state may 232
administer oaths, issue subpoenas, summon witnesses, compel the 233
production of books, papers, records, and other evidence, and 234
fix the time and place for hearing any matters relating to the 235
administration and enforcement of the election laws. 236

In any controversy involving or arising out of the 237

adoption of registration or the appropriation of funds for 238
registration, the secretary of state may, through the attorney 239
general, bring an action in the name of the state in the court 240
of common pleas of the county where the cause of action arose or 241
in an adjoining county, to adjudicate the question. 242

In any action involving the laws in Title XXXV of the 243

Revised Code wherein the interpretation of those laws is in 244
issue in such a manner that the result of the action will affect 245
the lawful duties of the secretary of state or of any board of 246
elections, the secretary of state may, on the secretary of 247
state's motion, be made a party. 248

The secretary of state may apply to any court that is 249

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As Introduced

hearing a case in which the secretary of state is a party, for a 250

change of venue as a substantive right, and the change of venue 251
shall be allowed, and the case removed to the court of common 252
pleas of an adjoining county named in the application or, if 253
there are cases pending in more than one jurisdiction that 254
involve the same or similar issues, the court of common pleas of 255
Franklin county. 256

Public high schools and vocational schools, public 257

libraries, and the office of a county treasurer shall implement 258
voter registration programs as directed by the secretary of 259
state pursuant to this section. 260

The secretary of state may mail unsolicited applications 261

for absent voter's ballots to individuals only for a general 262
election and only if the general assembly has made an 263
appropriation for that particular mailing. Under no other 264
circumstance shall a public office, or a public official or 265
employee who is acting in an official capacity, mail unsolicited 266
applications for absent voter's ballots to any individuals. 267

Sec. 3501.10. (A) The board of elections shall, as an 268

expense of the board, provide suitable rooms for its offices and 269
records and the necessary and proper furniture and supplies for 270
those rooms. The board may lease such offices and rooms, 271
necessary to its operation, for the length of time and upon the 272
terms the board deems in the best interests of the public, 273
provided that the term of any such lease shall not exceed 274
fifteen years. 275

Thirty days prior to entering into such a lease, the board 276
shall notify the board of county commissioners in writing of its 277
intent to enter into the lease. The notice shall specify the 278
terms and conditions of the lease. Prior to the thirtieth day 279
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As Introduced

after receiving that notice and before any lease is entered 280
into, the board of county commissioners may reject the proposed 281
lease by a majority vote. After receiving written notification 282
of the rejection by the board of county commissioners, the board 283
of elections shall not enter into the lease that was rejected, 284
but may immediately enter into additional lease negotiations, 285
subject to the requirements of this section. 286

The board of elections in any county may, by resolution, 287

request that the board of county commissioners submit to the 288
electors of the county, in accordance with section 133.18 of the 289
Revised Code, the question of issuing bonds for the acquisition 290
of real estate and the construction on it of a suitable building 291
with necessary furniture and equipment for the proper 292
administration of the duties of the board of elections. The 293
resolution declaring the necessity for issuing such bonds shall 294
relate only to the acquisition of real estate and to the 295
construction, furnishing, and equipping of a building as 296
provided in this division. 297

(B) The board of elections in each county shall keep its 298
offices, or one or more of its branch registration offices, open 299
for the performance of its duties until nine p.m. on the last 300
day of registration before a general or primary election. At all 301
other times during each week, the board shall keep its offices 302
and rooms open for a period of time that the board considers 303
necessary for the performance of its duties. 304

(C) The board of elections may maintain permanent or 305

temporary branch offices at any place within the county, 306
provided that, if the board of elections permits electors to 307
vote at a branch office, electors shall not be permitted to vote 308
at any other branch office or any other office of the board of 309
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As Introduced

elections. 310

Sec. 3501.11. Each board of elections shall exercise by a 311

majority vote all powers granted to the board by Title XXXV of 312
the Revised Code, shall perform all the duties imposed by law, 313
and shall do all of the following: 314

(A) Establish, define, provide, rearrange, and combine 315

election precincts; 316

(B) Fix and provide the places for registration and for 317
holding primaries and elections; 318

(C) Provide for the purchase, preservation, and 319

maintenance of booths, ballot boxes, books, maps, flags, blanks, 320
cards of instructions, and other forms, papers, and equipment 321
used in registration, nominations, and elections; 322

(D) Appoint and remove its director, deputy director, and 323
employees and all registrars, precinct election officials, and 324
other officers of elections, fill vacancies, and designate the 325
ward or district and precinct in which each shall serve; 326

(E) Make and issue rules and instructions, not 327

inconsistent with law or the rules, directives, or advisories 328
issued by the secretary of state, as it considers necessary for 329
the guidance of election officers and voters; 330

(F) Advertise and contract for the printing of all ballots 331
and other supplies used in registrations and elections; 332

(G) Provide for the issuance of all notices, 333

advertisements, and publications concerning elections, except as 334
otherwise provided in division (G) of section 3501.17 and 335
divisions (F) and (G) of section 3505.062 of the Revised Code; 336

(H) Provide for the delivery of ballots, pollbooks, and 337

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As Introduced

other required papers and material to the polling places; 338

(I) Cause the polling places to be suitably provided with 339

voting machines, marking devices, automatic tabulating 340
equipment, stalls, and other required supplies. In fulfilling 341
this duty, each board of a county that uses voting machines, 342
marking devices, or automatic tabulating equipment shall conduct 343
a full vote of the board during a public session of the board on 344
the allocation and distribution of voting machines, marking 345
devices, and automatic tabulating equipment for each precinct in 346
the county. 347

(J) Investigate irregularities, nonperformance of duties, 348

or violations of Title XXXV of the Revised Code by election 349
officers and other persons; administer oaths, issue subpoenas, 350
summon witnesses, and compel the production of books, papers, 351
records, and other evidence in connection with any such 352
investigation; and report the facts to the prosecuting attorney 353
or the secretary of state; 354

(K)(1) Review, examine, and certify the sufficiency and 355

validity of petitions and nomination papers, and, after 356
certification, return to the secretary of state all petitions 357
and nomination papers that the secretary of state forwarded to 358
the board; 359

(2) Examine each initiative petition, or a petition filed 360

under section 307.94 or 307.95 of the Revised Code, received by 361
the board to determine whether the petition falls within the 362
scope of authority to enact via initiative and whether the 363
petition satisfies the statutory prerequisites to place the 364
issue on the ballot, as described in division (M) of section 365
3501.38 of the Revised Code. The petition shall be invalid if 366
any portion of the petition is not within the initiative power. 367
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(L) Receive the returns of elections, canvass the returns, 368

make abstracts of them, and transmit those abstracts to the 369
proper authorities; 370

(M) Issue certificates of election on forms to be 371

prescribed by the secretary of state; 372

(N) Make an annual report to the secretary of state, on 373

the form prescribed by the secretary of state, containing a 374
statement of the number of voters registered, elections held, 375
votes cast, appropriations received, expenditures made, and 376
other data required by the secretary of state; 377

(O) Prepare and submit to the proper appropriating officer 378

a budget estimating the cost of elections for the ensuing fiscal 379
year; 380

(P) Perform other duties as prescribed by law or the 381

rules, directives, or advisories of the secretary of state; 382

(Q) Investigate and determine the residence qualifications 383

of electors; 384

(R) Administer oaths in matters pertaining to the 385

administration of the election laws; 386

(S) Prepare and submit to the secretary of state, whenever 387

the secretary of state requires, a report containing the names 388
and residence addresses of all incumbent county, municipal, 389
township, and board of education officials serving in their 390
respective counties; 391

(T) Establish and maintain a voter registration database 392

of all qualified electors in the county who offer to register; 393

(U) Maintain voter registration records, make reports 394

concerning voter registration as required by the secretary of 395
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As Introduced

state, and remove ineligible electors from voter registration 396

lists in accordance with law and directives of the secretary of 397
state; 398

(V) Give approval to ballot language for any local 399

question or issue and transmit the language to the secretary of 400
state for the secretary of state's final approval; 401

(W) Prepare and cause the following notice to be displayed 402

in a prominent location in every polling place: 403

"NOTICE 404

Ohio law prohibits any person from voting or attempting to 405

vote more than once at the same election. 406

Violators are guilty of a felony of the fourth degree and 407

shall be imprisoned and additionally may be fined in accordance 408
with law." 409

(X) In all cases of a tie vote or a disagreement in the 410

board, if no decision can be arrived at, the director or 411
chairperson shall submit the matter in controversy, not later 412
than fourteen days after the tie vote or the disagreement, to 413
the secretary of state, who shall summarily decide the question, 414
and the secretary of state's decision shall be final. 415

(Y) Assist each designated agency, deputy registrar of 416

motor vehicles, public high school and vocational school, public 417
library, public employment office as described in section 418
4141.04 of the Revised Code, OhioMeansJobs center as defined in 419
section 6301.01 of the Revised Code, and office of a county 420
treasurer in the implementation of a program for registering 421
voters at all voter registration locations as prescribed by the 422
secretary of state. Under this program, each board of elections 423
shall direct to the appropriate board of elections any voter 424
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As Introduced

registration applications for persons residing outside the 425

county where the board is located within five days after 426
receiving the applications. 427

(Z) On any day on which an elector may vote in person at 428

the office of the board or at another site designated by the 429
board, consider the board or other designated site a polling 430
place for that day. All requirements or prohibitions of law that 431
apply to a polling place shall apply to the office of the board 432
or other designated site on that day. 433

(AA) Perform any duties with respect to voter registration 434

and voting by uniformed services and overseas voters that are 435
delegated to the board by law or by the rules, directives, or 436
advisories of the secretary of state. 437

(BB) Prepare and submit to the secretary of state not 438

later than sixty days before a presidential primary election and 439
one hundred twenty days before a general election an election 440
administration plan. The election administration plan shall be 441
on a template prescribed by the secretary of state. The election 442
administration plan shall include procedures in case of an 443
emergency on election day. 444

Sec. 3501.22. (A)(1) Except as otherwise provided in 445

division (A)(2) of this section, on or before the fifteenth day 446
of September in each year, the board of elections by a majority 447
vote shall, after careful examination and investigation as to 448
their qualifications, appoint for each election precinct four 449
residents of the county in which the precinct is located, as 450
precinct election officials. Except as otherwise provided in 451
division (C) of this section, all precinct election officials 452
shall be qualified electors. The precinct election officials 453
shall constitute the election officers of the precinct. Not more 454
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As Introduced

than one-half of the total number of precinct election officials 455

shall be members of the same political party. The term of such 456
precinct officers shall be for one year. The board may, at any 457
time, designate any number of election officers, not more than 458
one-half of whom shall be members of the same political party, 459
to perform their duties at any precinct in any election. The 460
board may appoint additional officials, equally divided between 461
the two major political parties, when necessary to expedite 462
voting. If the board of elections determines that four precinct 463
election officials are not required in a precinct for a special 464
election, the board of elections may select two of the 465
precinct's election officers, who are not members of the same 466
political party, to serve as the precinct election officials for 467
that precinct in that special election. 468

Vacancies for unexpired terms shall be filled by the 469

board. When new precincts have been created, the board shall 470
appoint precinct election officials for those precincts for the 471
unexpired term. Any precinct election official may be summarily 472
removed from office at any time by the board for neglect of 473
duty, malfeasance, or misconduct in office or for any other good 474
and sufficient reason. 475

Precinct election officials shall perform all of the 476

duties provided by law for receiving the ballots and supplies, 477
opening and closing the polls, and overseeing the casting of 478
ballots during the time the polls are open, and any other duties 479
required by section 3501.26 of the Revised Code. 480

A board of elections may designate two precinct election 481

officials as counting officials to count and tally the votes 482
cast and certify the results of the election at each precinct, 483
and perform other duties as provided by law. To expedite the 484
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As Introduced

counting of votes at each precinct, the board may appoint 485

additional officials, not more than one-half of whom shall be 486
members of the same political party. 487

Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(2) of this 488

section, the board shall designate one of the precinct election 489
officials who is a member of the dominant political party to 490
serve as a voting location manager, whose duty it is to deliver 491
the returns of the election and all supplies to the office of 492
the board. For these services, the voting location manager shall 493
receive additional compensation in an amount, consistent with 494
section 3501.28 of the Revised Code, determined by the board of 495
elections. 496

The board shall issue to each precinct election official a 497

certificate of appointment, which the official shall present to 498
the voting location manager at the time the polls are opened. 499

(2) If the board of elections, by a vote of at least three 500

members of the board, opts to have a single voting location 501
serve more than one precinct, the board may do any of the 502
following: 503

(a) Designate a single voting location manager for the 504

voting location. The voting location manager shall be a member 505
of the political party whose candidate received the highest 506
number of votes for governor at the most recent general election 507
for that office in the precincts whose polling places are 508
located at the applicable voting location, when tallying the 509
combined vote for governor in all such precincts. 510

(b) Combine the pollbooks for those precincts to create a 511

single pollbook for the voting location; 512

(c) If electronic pollbooks are being used in the voting 513

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As Introduced

location, as described in section 3506.021 of the Revised Code, 514

appoint not less than two precinct election officials for each 515
precinct, so long as the board approves the decision to reduce 516
the number of precinct election officials by the affirmative 517
vote of at least three of its members. 518

(B) If the board of elections determines that not enough 519

qualified electors in a precinct are available to serve as 520
precinct officers, it may appoint persons to serve as precinct 521
officers at a primary, special, or general election who are at 522
least seventeen years of age and are registered to vote in 523
accordance with section 3503.07 of the Revised Code. 524

(C)(1) A board of elections, in conjunction with the board 525

of education of a city, local, or exempted village school 526
district, the governing authority of a community school 527
established under Chapter 3314. of the Revised Code, or the 528
chief administrator of a nonpublic school may establish a 529
program permitting certain high school students to apply and, if 530
appointed by the board of elections, to serve as precinct 531
officers at a primary, special, or general election. 532

In addition to the requirements established by division 533

(C)(2) of this section, a board of education, governing 534
authority, or chief administrator that establishes a program 535
under this division in conjunction with a board of elections may 536
establish additional criteria that students shall meet to be 537
eligible to participate in that program. 538

(2)(a) To be eligible to participate in a program 539

established under division (C)(1) of this section, a student 540
shall be a United States citizen, a resident of the county, at 541
least seventeen years of age, and enrolled in the junior or 542
senior year of high school. 543
H. B. No. 687 Page 20
As Introduced

(b) Any student applying to participate in a program 544

established under division (C)(1) of this section, as part of 545
the student's application process, shall declare the student's 546
political party affiliation with the board of elections. 547

(3) No student appointed as a precinct officer pursuant to 548

a program established under division (C)(1) of this section 549
shall be designated as a voting location manager. 550

(4) Any student participating in a program established 551

under division (C)(1) of this section shall be excused for that 552
student's absence from school on the day of an election at which 553
the student is serving as a precinct officer. 554

(D) In any precinct with six or more precinct officers, up 555

to two students participating in a program established under 556
division (C)(1) of this section who are under eighteen years of 557
age may serve as precinct officers. Not more than one precinct 558
officer in any given precinct with fewer than six precinct 559
officers shall be under eighteen years of age. 560

Sec. 3501.29. (A) The board of elections shall provide for 561
each precinct a polling place and provide adequate facilities at 562
each polling place for conducting the election. The board shall 563
provide a sufficient number of screened or curtained voting 564
compartments to which electors may retire and conveniently mark 565
their ballots, protected from the observation of others. Each 566
voting compartment shall be provided at all times with writing 567
implements, instructions how to vote, and other necessary 568
conveniences for marking the ballot. The voting location manager 569
shall ensure that the voting compartments at all times are 570
adequately lighted and contain the necessary supplies. The board 571
shall utilize, in so far as practicable, rooms in public schools 572
and other public buildings for polling places. Upon application 573
H. B. No. 687 Page 21
As Introduced

of the board of elections, the authority which has the control 574
of any building or grounds supported by taxation under the laws 575
of this state, shall make available the necessary space therein 576
for the purpose of holding elections and adequate space for the 577
storage of voting machines, without charge for the use thereof. 578
A reasonable sum may be paid for necessary janitorial service. 579
When polling places are established in private buildings, the 580
board may pay a reasonable rental therefor, and also the cost of 581
liability insurance covering the premises when used for election 582
purposes, or the board may purchase a single liability policy 583
covering the board and the owners of the premises when used for 584
election purposes. When removable buildings are supplied by the 585
board, they shall be constructed under the contract let to the 586
lowest and best bidder, and the board shall observe all 587
ordinances and regulations then in force as to safety. The board 588
shall remove all such buildings from streets and other public 589
places within thirty days after an election, unless another 590
election is to be held within ninety days. 591

(B)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the 592

board shall ensure all of the following: 593

(a) That polling places are free of barriers that would 594
impede ingress and egress of handicapped persons; 595

(b) That the minimum number of special parking locations, 596

also known as handicapped parking spaces or disability parking 597
spaces, for handicapped persons are designated at each polling 598
place in accordance with 28 C.F.R. Part 36, Appendix A, and in 599
compliance with division (E) of section 4511.69 of the Revised 600
Code; 601

(c) That the entrances of polling places are level or are 602
provided with a nonskid ramp that meets the requirements of the 603
H. B. No. 687 Page 22
As Introduced

"Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990," 104 Stat. 327, 42 604

U.S.C. 12101; 605

(d) That doors are a minimum of thirty-two inches wide; 606

(e) That polling places, in accordance with any orders 607

issued under section 3701.13, 3701.14, 3709.20, 3709.21, or 608
5502.22 of the Revised Code, allow for adequate distance between 609
voters and precinct election officials, sanitation of voting 610
compartments and supplies, and use of face masks or coverings. 611

(2) Notwithstanding division (B)(1)(a), (c), or (d) of 612

this section, certain polling places may be specifically 613
exempted by the secretary of state upon certification by a board 614
of elections that a good faith, but unsuccessful, effort has 615
been made to modify, or change the location of, such polling 616
places. 617

(C) At any polling place that is exempted from compliance 618

by the secretary of state, the board of elections shall permit 619
any handicapped elector who travels to that elector's polling 620
place, but who is unable to enter the polling place, to vote, 621
with the assistance of two polling place officials of major 622
political parties, in the vehicle that conveyed that elector to 623
the polling place, or to receive and cast that elector's ballot 624
at the door of the polling place. 625

(D) The secretary of state shall: 626

(1) Work with other state agencies to facilitate the 627

distribution of information and technical assistance to boards 628
of elections to meet the requirements of division (B) of this 629
section; 630

(2) Work with organizations that represent or provide 631

services to handicapped, disabled, or elderly citizens to effect 632
H. B. No. 687 Page 23
As Introduced

a wide dissemination of information about the availability of 633

absentee voting, voting in the voter's vehicle or at the door of 634
the polling place, or other election services to handicapped, 635
disabled, or elderly citizens. 636

(E) Before the day of an election, the director of the 637

board of elections of each county shall sign a statement 638
verifying that each polling place that will be used in that 639
county at that election meets the requirements of division (B) 640
(1)(b) of this section. The signed statement shall be sent to 641
the secretary of state by certified mail or electronically. 642

(F) As used in this section, "handicapped" means having 643

lost the use of one or both legs, one or both arms, or any 644
combination thereof, or being blind or so severely disabled as 645
to be unable to move about without the aid of crutches or a 646
wheelchair. 647

(G) No board of elections shall establish fewer polling 648

places than were established for the general election held on 649
November 6, 2018. 650

Sec. 3503.09. (A)(1) The secretary of state shall adopt 651

rules for the electronic transmission by boards of elections, 652
designated agencies, offices of deputy registrars of motor 653
vehicles, public high schools and vocational schools, public 654
libraries, public employment offices as described in section 655
4141.04 of the Revised Code, OhioMeansJobs centers as defined in 656
section 6301.01 of the Revised Code, and offices of county 657
treasurers, where applicable, of name and residence changes for 658
voter registration records in the statewide voter registration 659
database. 660

(2) The secretary of state shall adopt rules for the 661
H. B. No. 687 Page 24
As Introduced

purpose of improving the speed of processing new voter 662

registrations that permit information from a voter registration 663
application received by a designated agency or an office of 664
deputy registrar of motor vehicles to be made available 665
electronically, in addition to requiring the original voter 666
registration application to be transmitted to the applicable 667
board of elections under division (E)(2) of section 3503.10 or 668
section 3503.11 of the Revised Code. 669

(B) Rules adopted under division (A) of this section shall 670
do all of the following: 671

(1) Prohibit any direct electronic connection between a 672

designated agency, office of deputy registrar of motor vehicles, 673
public high school or vocational school, public library, public 674
employment office as described in section 4141.04 of the Revised 675
Code, OhioMeansJobs center as defined in section 6301.01 of the 676
Revised Code, or office of a county treasurer and the statewide 677
voter registration database; 678

(2) Require any updated voter registration information to 679

be verified by the secretary of state or a board of elections 680
before the information is added to the statewide voter 681
registration database for the purpose of modifying an existing 682
voter registration; 683

(3) Require each designated agency or office of deputy 684

registrar of motor vehicles that transmits voter registration 685
information electronically to transmit an identifier for data 686
relating to each new voter registration that shall be used by 687
the secretary of state or a board of elections to match the 688
electronic data to the original voter registration application. 689

Sec. 3503.10. (A) Each designated agency shall designate 690

H. B. No. 687 Page 25
As Introduced

one person within that agency to serve as coordinator for the 691
voter registration program within the agency and its 692
departments, divisions, and programs. The designated person 693
shall be trained under a program designed by the secretary of 694
state and shall be responsible for administering all aspects of 695
the voter registration program for that agency as prescribed by 696
the secretary of state. The designated person shall receive no 697
additional compensation for performing such duties. 698

(B) Every designated agency, public high school and 699

vocational school, public library, public employment office as 700
described in section 4141.04 of the Revised Code, OhioMeansJobs 701
center as defined in section 6301.01 of the Revised Code, and 702
office of a county treasurer shall provide in each of its 703
offices or locations voter registration applications and 704
assistance in the registration of persons qualified to register 705
to vote, in accordance with this chapter. 706

(C) Every designated agency shall distribute to its 707

applicants, prior to or in conjunction with distributing a voter 708
registration application, a form prescribed by the secretary of 709
state that includes all of the following: 710

(1) The question, "Do you want to register to vote or 711

update your current voter registration?"--followed by boxes for 712
the applicant to indicate whether the applicant would like to 713
register or decline to register to vote, and the statement, 714
highlighted in bold print, "If you do not check either box, you 715
will be considered to have decided not to register to vote at 716
this time."; 717

(2) If the agency provides public assistance, the 718

statement, "Applying to register or declining to register to 719
vote will not affect the amount of assistance that you will be 720
H. B. No. 687 Page 26
As Introduced

provided by this agency."; 721

(3) The statement, "If you would like help in filling out 722
the voter registration application form, we will help you. The 723
decision whether to seek or accept help is yours. You may fill 724
out the application form in private."; 725

(4) The statement, "If you believe that someone has 726
interfered with your right to register or to decline to register 727
to vote, your right to privacy in deciding whether to register 728
or in applying to register to vote, or your right to choose your 729
own political party or other political preference, you may file 730
a complaint with the prosecuting attorney of your county or with 731
the secretary of state," with the address and telephone number 732
for each such official's office. 733

(D) Each designated agency shall distribute a voter 734

registration form prescribed by the secretary of state to each 735
applicant with each application for service or assistance, and 736
with each written application or form for recertification, 737
renewal, or change of address. 738

(E) Each designated agency shall do all of the following: 739

(1) Have employees trained to administer the voter 740

registration program in order to provide to each applicant who 741
wishes to register to vote and who accepts assistance, the same 742
degree of assistance with regard to completion of the voter 743
registration application as is provided by the agency with 744
regard to the completion of its own form; 745

(2) Accept completed voter registration applications, 746

voter registration change of residence forms, and voter 747
registration change of name forms, regardless of whether the 748
application or form was distributed by the designated agency, 749
H. B. No. 687 Page 27
As Introduced

for transmittal to the office of the board of elections in the 750

county in which the agency is located. Each designated agency 751
and the appropriate board of elections shall establish a method 752
by which the voter registration applications and other voter 753
registration forms are transmitted to that board of elections 754
within five days after being accepted by the agency. 755

(3) If the designated agency is one that is primarily 756

engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities under 757
a state-funded program, and that agency provides services to a 758
person with disabilities at a person's home, provide the 759
services described in divisions (E)(1) and (2) of this section 760
at the person's home; 761

(4) Keep as confidential, except as required by the 762

secretary of state for record-keeping purposes, the identity of 763
an agency through which a person registered to vote or updated 764
the person's voter registration records, and information 765
relating to a declination to register to vote made in connection 766
with a voter registration application issued by a designated 767
agency. 768

(F) The secretary of state shall prepare and transmit 769

written instructions on the implementation of the voter 770
registration program within each designated agency, public high 771
school and vocational school, public library, public employment 772
office as described in section 4141.04 of the Revised Code, 773
OhioMeansJobs center as defined in section 6301.01 of the 774
Revised Code, and office of a county treasurer. The instructions 775
shall include directions as follows: 776

(1) That each person designated to assist with voter 777

registration maintain strict neutrality with respect to a 778
person's political philosophies, a person's right to register or 779
H. B. No. 687 Page 28
As Introduced

decline to register, and any other matter that may influence a 780
person's decision to register or not register to vote; 781

(2) That each person designated to assist with voter 782

registration not seek to influence a person's decision to 783
register or not register to vote, not display or demonstrate any 784
political preference or party allegiance, and not make any 785
statement to a person or take any action the purpose or effect 786
of which is to lead a person to believe that a decision to 787
register or not register has any bearing on the availability of 788
services or benefits offered, on the grade in a particular class 789
in school, or on credit for a particular class in school; 790

(3) Regarding when and how to assist a person in 791

completing the voter registration application, what to do with 792
the completed voter registration application or voter 793
registration update form, and when the application must be 794
transmitted to the appropriate board of elections; 795

(4) Regarding what records must be kept by the agency and 796
where and when those records should be transmitted to satisfy 797
reporting requirements imposed on the secretary of state under 798
the National Voter Registration Act of 1993; 799

(5) Regarding whom to contact to obtain answers to 800

questions about voter registration forms and procedures. 801

(G) If the voter registration activity is part of an in- 802

class voter registration program in a public high school or 803
vocational school, whether prescribed by the secretary of state 804
or independent of the secretary of state, the board of education 805
shall do all of the following: 806

(1) Establish a schedule of school days and hours during 807

these days when the person designated to assist with voter 808
H. B. No. 687 Page 29
As Introduced

registration shall provide voter registration assistance; 809

(2) Designate a person to assist with voter registration 810

from the public high school's or vocational school's staff; 811

(3) Make voter registration applications and materials 812

available, as outlined in the voter registration program 813
established by the secretary of state pursuant to section 814
3501.05 of the Revised Code; 815

(4) Distribute the statement, "applying to register or 816

declining to register to vote will not affect or be a condition 817
of your receiving a particular grade in or credit for a school 818
course or class, participating in a curricular or 819
extracurricular activity, receiving a benefit or privilege, or 820
participating in a program or activity otherwise available to 821
pupils enrolled in this school district's schools."; 822

(5) Establish a method by which the voter registration 823

application and other voter registration forms are transmitted 824
to the board of elections within five days after being accepted 825
by the public high school or vocational school. 826

(H) Any person employed by the designated agency, public 827

high school or vocational school, public library, public 828
employment office as described in section 4141.04 of the Revised 829
Code, OhioMeansJobs center as defined in section 6301.01 of the 830
Revised Code, or office of a county treasurer may be designated 831
to assist with voter registration pursuant to this section. The 832
designated agency, public high school or vocational school, 833
public library, public employment office, OhioMeansJobs center, 834
or office of a county treasurer shall provide the designated 835
person, and make available such space as may be necessary, 836
without charge to the county or state. 837
H. B. No. 687 Page 30
As Introduced

(I) The secretary of state shall prepare and cause to be 838

displayed in a prominent location in each designated agency a 839
notice that identifies the person designated to assist with 840
voter registration, the nature of that person's duties, and 841
where and when that person is available for assisting in the 842
registration of voters. 843

A designated agency may furnish additional supplies and 844

services to disseminate information to increase public awareness 845
of the existence of a person designated to assist with voter 846
registration in every designated agency. 847

(J) This section does not limit any authority a board of 848
education, superintendent, or principal has to allow, sponsor, 849
or promote voluntary election registration programs within a 850
high school or vocational school, including programs in which 851
pupils serve as persons designated to assist with voter 852
registration, provided that no pupil is required to participate. 853

(K) Each public library, public employment office as 854

described in section 4141.04 of the Revised Code, OhioMeansJobs 855
center as defined in section 6301.01 of the Revised Code, and 856
office of the county treasurer shall establish a method by which 857
voter registration forms are transmitted to the board of 858
elections within five days after being accepted by the public 859
library, public employment office, OhioMeansJobs center, or 860
office of the county treasurer. 861

(L) The department of job and family services and its 862
departments, divisions, and programs shall limit administration 863
of the aspects of the voter registration program for the 864
department to the requirements prescribed by the secretary of 865
state and the requirements of this section and the National 866
Voter Registration Act of 1993. 867
H. B. No. 687 Page 31
As Introduced

Sec. 3503.14. (A) The secretary of state shall prescribe 868

the form and content of the registration, change of residence, 869
and change of name forms used in this state. The forms shall 870
meet the requirements of the National Voter Registration Act of 871
1993 and shall include spaces for all of the following: 872

(1) The voter's name; 873

(2) The voter's address; 874

(3) The current date; 875

(4) The voter's date of birth; 876

(5) The voter to provide one or more of the following: 877

(a) The voter's driver's license number, if any; 878

(b) The last four digits of the voter's social security 879
number, if any; 880

(c) A copy of a current and valid photo identification, a 881

copy of a military identification, or a copy of a current 882
utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or 883
other government document, other than a notice of voter 884
registration mailed by a board of elections under section 885
3503.19 of the Revised Code, that shows the voter's name and 886
address. 887

(6) The voter's signature. 888

The registration form shall include a space on which the 889

person registering an applicant shall sign the person's name and 890
provide the person's address and a space on which the person 891
registering an applicant shall name the employer who is 892
employing that person to register the applicant. 893

Except for forms prescribed by the secretary of state 894

H. B. No. 687 Page 32
As Introduced

under section 3503.11 of the Revised Code, the secretary of 895

state shall permit boards of elections to produce forms that 896
have subdivided spaces for each individual alphanumeric 897
character of the information provided by the voter so as to 898
accommodate the electronic reading and conversion of the voter's 899
information to data and the subsequent electronic transfer of 900
that data to the statewide voter registration database 901
established under section 3503.15 of the Revised Code. 902

(B) None of the following persons who are registering an 903

applicant in the course of that official's or employee's normal 904
duties shall sign the person's name, provide the person's 905
address, or name the employer who is employing the person to 906
register an applicant on a form prepared under this section: 907

(1) An election official; 908

(2) A county treasurer; 909

(3) A deputy registrar of motor vehicles; 910

(4) An employee of a designated agency; 911

(5) An employee of a public high school; 912

(6) An employee of a public vocational school; 913

(7) An employee of a public library; 914

(8) An employee of the office of a county treasurer; 915

(9) An employee of the bureau of motor vehicles; 916

(10) An employee of a deputy registrar of motor vehicles; 917

(11) An employee of an election official. 918

(C) Except as provided in section 3501.382 of the Revised 919

Code, any applicant who is unable to sign the applicant's own 920
H. B. No. 687 Page 33
As Introduced

name shall make an "X," if possible, which shall be certified by 921

the signing of the name of the applicant by the person filling 922
out the form, who shall add the person's own signature. If an 923
applicant is unable to make an "X," the applicant shall indicate 924
in some manner that the applicant desires to register to vote or 925
to change the applicant's name or residence. The person 926
registering the applicant shall sign the form and attest that 927
the applicant indicated that the applicant desired to register 928
to vote or to change the applicant's name or residence. 929

(D) No registration, change of residence, or change of 930

name form shall be rejected solely on the basis that a person 931
registering an applicant failed to sign the person's name or 932
failed to name the employer who is employing that person to 933
register the applicant as required under division (A) of this 934
section. 935

(E) (C) A voter registration application submitted online 936

through the internet pursuant to section 3503.20 of the Revised 937
Code is not required to contain a signature to be considered 938
valid. The signature obtained under division (B) (C) of that 939
section or the signature obtained the first time the applicant 940
votes shall be considered the applicant's signature for all 941
election and signature-matching purposes. 942

(F) As used in this section, "registering an applicant" 943

includes any effort, for compensation, to provide voter 944
registration forms or to assist persons in completing or 945
returning those forms. 946

Sec. 3503.16. (A) Except as otherwise provided in division 947

(E) of section 111.44 of the Revised Code, whenever a registered 948
elector changes the place of residence of that registered 949
elector from one precinct to another within a county or from one 950
H. B. No. 687 Page 34
As Introduced

county to another, or has a change of name, that registered 951

elector shall report the change by delivering a change of 952
residence or change of name form, whichever is appropriate, as 953
prescribed by the secretary of state under section 3503.14 of 954
the Revised Code to the state or local office of a designated 955
agency, a public high school or vocational school, a public 956
library, a public employment office as described in section 957
4141.04 of the Revised Code, an OhioMeansJobs center as defined 958
in section 6301.01 of the Revised Code, the office of the county 959
treasurer, the office of the secretary of state, any office of 960
the registrar or deputy registrar of motor vehicles, or any 961
office of a board of elections in person or by a third person. 962
Any voter registration, change of address, or change of name 963
application, returned by mail, may be sent only to the secretary 964
of state or the board of elections. 965

A registered elector also may update the registration of 966

that registered elector by filing a change of residence or 967
change of name form on the day of a special, primary, or general 968
election at the polling place in the precinct in which that 969
registered elector resides or at the board of elections or at 970
another site designated by the board. 971

(B)(1)(a) Any registered elector who moves within a 972

precinct on or prior to the day of a general, primary, or 973
special election and has not filed a notice of change of 974
residence with the board of elections may vote in that election 975
by going to that registered elector's assigned polling place, 976
completing and signing a notice of change of residence, showing 977
identification in the form of a current and valid photo 978
identification, a military identification, or a copy of a 979
current utility bill, bank statement, government check, 980
paycheck, or other government document, other than a notice of 981
H. B. No. 687 Page 35
As Introduced

voter registration mailed by a board of elections under section 982

3503.19 of the Revised Code, that shows the name and current 983
address of the elector, and casting a ballot. 984

(b) Any registered elector who changes the name of that 985
registered elector and remains within a precinct on or prior to 986
the day of a general, primary, or special election and has not 987
filed a notice of change of name with the board of elections may 988
vote in that election by going to that registered elector's 989
assigned polling place, completing and signing a notice of a 990
change of name, and casting a provisional ballot under section 991
3505.181 of the Revised Code. If the registered elector provides 992
to the precinct election officials proof of a legal name change, 993
such as a marriage license or court order that includes the 994
elector's current and prior names, the elector may complete and 995
sign a notice of change of name and cast a regular ballot. 996

(2) Any registered elector who moves from one precinct to 997
another within a county or moves from one precinct to another 998
and changes the name of that registered elector on or prior to 999
the day of a general, primary, or special election and has not 1000
filed a notice of change of residence or change of name, 1001
whichever is appropriate, with the board of elections may vote 1002
in that election if that registered elector complies with 1003
division (G) of this section or does all of the following: 1004

(a) Appears at anytime during regular business hours on or 1005

after the twenty-eighth day prior to the election in which that 1006
registered elector wishes to vote or, if the election is held on 1007
the day of a presidential primary election, the twenty-fifth day 1008
prior to the election, through noon of the Saturday prior to the 1009
election at the office of the board of elections, appears at any 1010
time during regular business hours on the Monday prior to the 1011
H. B. No. 687 Page 36
As Introduced

election at the office of the board of elections, or appears on 1012

the day of the election at either of the following locations: 1013

(i) The polling place for the precinct in which that 1014
registered elector resides; 1015

(ii) The office of the board of elections or, if pursuant 1016

to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board 1017
has designated another location in the county at which 1018
registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of 1019
the office of the board of elections. 1020

(b) Completes and signs, under penalty of election 1021

falsification, the written affirmation on the provisional ballot 1022
envelope, which shall serve as a notice of change of residence 1023
or change of name, whichever is appropriate; 1024

(c) Votes a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of 1025

the Revised Code at the polling place, at the office of the 1026
board of elections, or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 1027
3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated at another 1028
location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at 1029
that other location instead of the office of the board of 1030
elections, whichever is appropriate, using the address to which 1031
that registered elector has moved or the name of that registered 1032
elector as changed, whichever is appropriate; 1033

(d) Completes and signs, under penalty of election 1034

falsification, a statement attesting that that registered 1035
elector moved or had a change of name, whichever is appropriate, 1036
on or prior to the day of the election, has voted a provisional 1037
ballot at the polling place for the precinct in which that 1038
registered elector resides, at the office of the board of 1039
elections, or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of 1040
H. B. No. 687 Page 37
As Introduced

the Revised Code the board has designated at another location in 1041
the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other 1042
location instead of the office of the board of elections, 1043
whichever is appropriate, and will not vote or attempt to vote 1044
at any other location for that particular election. 1045

(C) Any registered elector who moves from one county to 1046
another county within the state on or prior to the day of a 1047
general, primary, or special election and has not registered to 1048
vote in the county to which that registered elector moved may 1049
vote in that election if that registered elector complies with 1050
division (G) of this section or does all of the following: 1051

(1) Appears at any time during regular business hours on 1052

or after the twenty-eighth day prior to the election in which 1053
that registered elector wishes to vote or, if the election is 1054
held on the day of a presidential primary election, the twenty- 1055
fifth day prior to the election, through noon of the Saturday 1056
prior to the election at the office of the board of elections 1057
or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the 1058
Revised Code the board has designated at another location in the 1059
county at which registered electors may vote, at that other 1060
location instead of the office of the board of elections, 1061
appears during regular business hours on the Monday prior to the 1062
election at the office of the board of elections or, if pursuant 1063
to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board 1064
has designated at another location in the county at which 1065
registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of 1066
the office of the board of elections, or appears on the day of 1067
the election at the office of the board of elections or, if 1068
pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code 1069
the board has designated at another location in the county at 1070
which registered electors may vote, at that other location 1071
H. B. No. 687 Page 38
As Introduced

instead of the office of the board of elections; 1072

(2) Completes and signs, under penalty of election 1073

falsification, the written affirmation on the provisional ballot 1074
envelope, which shall serve as a notice of change of residence; 1075

(3) Votes a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of 1076

the Revised Code at the office of the board of elections or, if 1077
pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code 1078
the board has designated at another location in the county at 1079
which registered electors may vote, at that other location 1080
instead of the office of the board of elections, using the 1081
address to which that registered elector has moved; 1082

(4) Completes and signs, under penalty of election 1083

falsification, a statement attesting that that registered 1084
elector has moved from one county to another county within the 1085
state on or prior to the day of the election, has voted at the 1086
office of the board of elections or, if pursuant to division (C) 1087
of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated 1088
at another location in the county at which registered electors 1089
may vote, at that other location instead of the office of the 1090
board of elections, and will not vote or attempt to vote at any 1091
other location for that particular election. 1092

(D) A person who votes by absent voter's ballots pursuant 1093

to division (G) of this section shall not make written 1094
application for the ballots pursuant to Chapter 3509. of the 1095
Revised Code. Ballots cast pursuant to division (G) of this 1096
section shall be set aside in a special envelope and counted 1097
during the official canvass of votes in the manner provided for 1098
in sections 3505.32 and 3509.06 of the Revised Code insofar as 1099
that manner is applicable. The board shall examine the pollbooks 1100
to verify that no ballot was cast at the polls or by absent 1101
H. B. No. 687 Page 39
As Introduced

voter's ballots under Chapter 3509. or 3511. of the Revised Code 1102
by an elector who has voted by absent voter's ballots pursuant 1103
to division (G) of this section. Any ballot determined to be 1104
insufficient for any of the reasons stated above or stated in 1105
section 3509.07 of the Revised Code shall not be counted. 1106

Subject to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised 1107

Code, a A board of elections may lease or otherwise acquire a 1108
site different from, or in addition to, the office of the board 1109
at which registered electors may vote pursuant to division (B) 1110
or (C) of this section. 1111

(E) Upon receiving a notice of change of residence or 1112

change of name, the board of elections shall immediately send 1113
the registrant an acknowledgment notice. If the change of 1114
residence or change of name notice is valid, the board shall 1115
update the voter's registration as appropriate. If that form is 1116
incomplete, the board shall inform the registrant in the 1117
acknowledgment notice specified in this division of the 1118
information necessary to complete or update that registrant's 1119
registration. 1120

(F) Change of residence and change of name forms shall be 1121

available at each polling place, and when these forms are 1122
completed, noting changes of residence or name, as appropriate, 1123
they shall be filed with election officials at the polling 1124
place. Election officials shall return completed forms, together 1125
with the pollbooks and tally sheets, to the board of elections. 1126

The board of elections shall provide change of residence 1127

and change of name forms to the probate court and court of 1128
common pleas. The court shall provide the forms to any person 1129
eighteen years of age or older who has a change of name by order 1130
of the court or who applies for a marriage license. The court 1131
H. B. No. 687 Page 40
As Introduced

shall forward all completed forms to the board of elections 1132

within five days after receiving them. 1133

(G) A registered elector who otherwise would qualify to 1134

vote under division (B) or (C) of this section but is unable to 1135
appear at the office of the board of elections or, if pursuant 1136
to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board 1137
has designated at another location in the county at which 1138
registered electors may vote, at that other location, on account 1139
of personal illness, physical disability, or infirmity, may vote 1140
on the day of the election if that registered elector does all 1141
of the following: 1142

(1) Makes a written application that includes all of the 1143

information required under section 3509.03 of the Revised Code 1144
to the appropriate board for an absent voter's ballot on or 1145
after the twenty-seventh day prior to the election in which the 1146
registered elector wishes to vote through noon of the Saturday 1147
prior to that election and requests that the absent voter's 1148
ballot be sent to the address to which the registered elector 1149
has moved if the registered elector has moved, or to the address 1150
of that registered elector who has not moved but has had a 1151
change of name; 1152

(2) Declares that the registered elector has moved or had 1153
a change of name, whichever is appropriate, and otherwise is 1154
qualified to vote under the circumstances described in division 1155
(B) or (C) of this section, whichever is appropriate, but that 1156
the registered elector is unable to appear at the board of 1157
elections because of personal illness, physical disability, or 1158
infirmity; 1159

(3) Completes and returns along with the completed absent 1160
voter's ballot a notice of change of residence indicating the 1161
H. B. No. 687 Page 41
As Introduced

address to which the registered elector has moved, or a notice 1162

of change of name, whichever is appropriate; 1163

(4) Completes and signs, under penalty of election 1164

falsification, a statement attesting that the registered elector 1165
has moved or had a change of name on or prior to the day before 1166
the election, has voted by absent voter's ballot because of 1167
personal illness, physical disability, or infirmity that 1168
prevented the registered elector from appearing at the board of 1169
elections, and will not vote or attempt to vote at any other 1170
location or by absent voter's ballot mailed to any other 1171
location or address for that particular election. 1172

Sec. 3503.19. (A) Persons qualified to register or to 1173

change their registration because of a change of address or 1174
change of name may register or change their registration in 1175
person at any state or local office of a designated agency, at 1176
the office of the registrar or any deputy registrar of motor 1177
vehicles, at a public high school or vocational school, at a 1178
public library, at a public employment office as described in 1179
section 4141.04 of the Revised Code, at an OhioMeansJobs center 1180
as defined in section 6301.01 of the Revised Code, at the office 1181
of a county treasurer, or at a branch office established by the 1182
board of elections, or in person, through another person, or by 1183
mail at the office of the secretary of state or at the office of 1184
a board of elections. A registered elector may also change the 1185
elector's registration on election day at any polling place 1186
where the elector is eligible to vote, in the manner provided 1187
under section 3503.16 of the Revised Code. 1188

Any state or local office of a designated agency, the 1189

office of the registrar or any deputy registrar of motor 1190
vehicles, a public high school or vocational school, a public 1191
H. B. No. 687 Page 42
As Introduced

library, a public employment office as described in section 1192

4141.04 of the Revised Code, an OhioMeansJobs center as defined 1193
in section 6301.01 of the Revised Code, or the office of a 1194
county treasurer shall transmit any voter registration 1195
application or change of registration form that it receives to 1196
the board of elections of the county in which the state or local 1197
office is located, within five days after receiving the voter 1198
registration application or change of registration form. 1199

An otherwise valid voter registration application that is 1200

returned to the appropriate office other than by mail must be 1201
received by a state or local office of a designated agency, the 1202
office of the registrar or any deputy registrar of motor 1203
vehicles, a public high school or vocational school, a public 1204
library, a public employment office as described in section 1205
4141.04 of the Revised Code, an OhioMeansJobs center as defined 1206
in section 6301.01 of the Revised Code, the office of a county 1207
treasurer, the office of the secretary of state, or the office 1208
of a board of elections no later than the thirtieth day 1209
preceding a primary, special, or general election for the person 1210
to qualify as an elector eligible to vote at that election. An 1211
otherwise valid registration application received after that day 1212
entitles the elector to vote at all subsequent elections. 1213

Any state or local office of a designated agency, the 1214

office of the registrar or any deputy registrar of motor 1215
vehicles, a public high school or vocational school, a public 1216
library, a public employment office as described in section 1217
4141.04 of the Revised Code, an OhioMeansJobs center as defined 1218
in section 6301.01 of the Revised Code, or the office of a 1219
county treasurer shall date stamp a registration application or 1220
change of name or change of address form it receives using a 1221
date stamp that does not disclose the identity of the state or 1222
H. B. No. 687 Page 43
As Introduced

local office that receives the registration. 1223

Voter registration applications, if otherwise valid, that 1224

are returned by mail to the office of the secretary of state or 1225
to the office of a board of elections must be postmarked no 1226
later than the thirtieth day preceding a primary, special, or 1227
general election in order for the person to qualify as an 1228
elector eligible to vote at that election. If an otherwise valid 1229
voter registration application that is returned by mail does not 1230
bear a postmark or a legible postmark, the registration shall be 1231
valid for that election if received by the office of the 1232
secretary of state or the office of a board of elections no 1233
later than twenty-five days preceding any special, primary, or 1234
general election. 1235

(B)(1) Any person may apply in person, by telephone, by 1236

mail, or through another person for voter registration forms to 1237
the office of the secretary of state or the office of a board of 1238
elections. An individual who is eligible to vote as a uniformed 1239
services voter or an overseas voter in accordance with 42 52 1240
U.S.C. 1973ff-6 20310 also may apply for voter registration 1241
forms by electronic means to the office of the secretary of 1242
state or to the board of elections of the county in which the 1243
person's voting residence is located pursuant to section 1244
3503.191 of the Revised Code. 1245

(2)(a) An applicant may return the applicant's completed 1246

registration form in person or by mail to any state or local 1247
office of a designated agency, to a public high school or 1248
vocational school, to a public library, to the office of a 1249
county treasurer, to the office of the secretary of state, or to 1250
the office of a board of elections. An applicant who is eligible 1251
to vote as a uniformed services voter or an overseas voter in 1252
H. B. No. 687 Page 44
As Introduced

accordance with 42 U.S.C. 1973ff-6 also may return the 1253

applicant's completed voter registration form electronically to 1254
the office of the secretary of state or to the board of 1255
elections of the county in which the person's voting residence 1256
is located pursuant to section 3503.191 of the Revised Code. 1257

(b) Subject to division (B)(2)(c) of this section, an 1258

applicant may return the applicant's completed registration form 1259
through another person to any board of elections or the office 1260
of the secretary of state. 1261

(c) A person who receives compensation for registering a 1262

voter shall return any registration form entrusted to that 1263
person by an applicant to any board of elections or to the 1264
office of the secretary of state. 1265

(d) If a board of elections or the office of the secretary 1266

of state receives a registration form under division (B)(2)(b) 1267
or (c) of this section before the thirtieth day before an 1268
election, the board or the office of the secretary of state, as 1269
applicable, shall forward the registration to the board of 1270
elections of the county in which the applicant is seeking to 1271
register to vote within ten days after receiving the 1272
application. If a board of elections or the office of the 1273
secretary of state receives a registration form under division 1274
(B)(2)(b) or (c) of this section on or after the thirtieth day 1275
before an election, the board or the office of the secretary of 1276
state, as applicable, shall forward the registration to the 1277
board of elections of the county in which the applicant is 1278
seeking to register to vote within thirty days after that 1279
election. 1280

(C)(1) A board of elections that receives a voter 1281

registration application and is satisfied as to the truth of the 1282
H. B. No. 687 Page 45
As Introduced

statements made in the registration form shall register the 1283

applicant not later than twenty business days after receiving 1284
the application, unless that application is received during the 1285
thirty days immediately preceding the day of an election. The 1286
board shall promptly notify the applicant in writing of each of 1287
the following: 1288

(a) The applicant's registration; 1289

(b) The precinct in which the applicant is to vote; 1290

(c) In bold type as follows: 1291

"Voters must bring identification to the polls in order to 1292

verify identity. Identification may include a current and valid 1293
photo identification, a military identification, or a copy of a 1294
current utility bill, bank statement, government check, 1295
paycheck, or other government document, other than this 1296
notification, that shows the voter's name and current address. 1297
Voters who do not provide one of these documents will still be 1298
able to vote by casting a provisional ballot. Voters who do not 1299
have any of the above forms of identification, including a 1300
social security number, will still be able to vote by signing an 1301
affirmation swearing to the voter's identity under penalty of 1302
election falsification and by casting a provisional ballot." 1303

The notification shall be by nonforwardable mail. If the 1304

mail is returned to the board, it shall investigate and cause 1305
the notification to be delivered to the correct address. 1306

(2) If, after investigating as required under division (C) 1307

(1) of this section, the board is unable to verify the voter's 1308
correct address, it shall cause the voter's name in the official 1309
registration list and in the poll list or signature pollbook to 1310
be marked to indicate that the voter's notification was returned 1311
H. B. No. 687 Page 46
As Introduced

to the board. 1312

At the first election at which a voter whose name has been 1313
so marked appears to vote, the voter shall be required to 1314
provide identification to the election officials and to vote by 1315
provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code. 1316
If the provisional ballot is counted pursuant to division (B)(3) 1317
of section 3505.183 of the Revised Code, the board shall correct 1318
that voter's registration, if needed, and shall remove the 1319
indication that the voter's notification was returned from that 1320
voter's name on the official registration list and on the poll 1321
list or signature pollbook. If the provisional ballot is not 1322
counted pursuant to division (B)(4)(a)(i), (v), or (vi) of 1323
section 3505.183 of the Revised Code on the basis that the voter 1324
is not eligible to vote, the voter's registration shall be 1325
canceled. The board shall notify the voter by United States mail 1326
of the cancellation. 1327

(3) If a notice of the disposition of an otherwise valid 1328

registration application is sent by nonforwardable mail and is 1329
returned undelivered, the person shall be registered as provided 1330
in division (C)(2) of this section and sent a confirmation 1331
notice by forwardable mail. If the person fails to respond to 1332
the confirmation notice, update the person's registration, or 1333
vote by provisional ballot as provided in division (C)(2) of 1334
this section in any election during the period of two federal 1335
elections subsequent to the mailing of the confirmation notice, 1336
the person's registration shall be canceled. 1337

Sec. 3503.20. (A) As used in this section, "applicant" 1338

means a person who meets both of the following requirements: 1339

(1) The person is qualified to register to vote under this 1340

chapter; and 1341
H. B. No. 687 Page 47
As Introduced

(2) The person has a current and valid Ohio driver's 1342
license or identification card issued under Chapter 4507. of the 1343
Revised Code or a social security number. 1344

(B) The secretary of state shall establish a secure online 1345

voter registration system. The system shall provide for all of 1346
the following: 1347

(1) An applicant to submit a voter registration 1348

application to the secretary of state online through the 1349
internet; 1350

(2) The online applicant to be registered to vote, if all 1351

of the following apply: 1352

(a) The application contains all of the following 1353

information: 1354

(i) The applicant's name; 1355

(ii) The applicant's address; 1356

(iii) The applicant's date of birth; 1357

(iv) The Identification in the form of either the last 1358

four digits of the applicant's social security number; 1359

(v) The, or the applicant's Ohio driver's license number 1360

or the number of the applicant's state identification card 1361
issued under section 4507.50 of the Revised Code. 1362

(b) The applicant's name, address, and date of birth, the 1363
last four digits of the applicant's social security number, and 1364
the applicant's Ohio driver's license number or the number of 1365
the applicant's state identification card as they are provided 1366
in the application are not inconsistent with the information on 1367
file with the bureau of motor vehicles; 1368
H. B. No. 687 Page 48
As Introduced

(c) The applicant is a United States citizen, will have 1369

lived in this state for thirty days immediately preceding the 1370
next election, will be at least eighteen years of age on or 1371
before the day of the next general election, and is otherwise 1372
eligible to register to vote; 1373

(d) (c) The applicant attests to the truth and accuracy of 1374
the information submitted in the online application under 1375
penalty of election falsification. 1376

(B) (C) If an individual registers to vote or a registered 1377

elector updates the elector's name, address, or both under this 1378
section and provides an Ohio driver's license number or number 1379
of the individual's state identification card, the secretary of 1380
state shall obtain an electronic copy of the applicant's or 1381
elector's signature that is on file with the bureau of motor 1382
vehicles. That electronic signature shall be used as the 1383
applicant's or elector's signature on voter registration 1384
records, for all election and signature-matching purposes. If an 1385
individual does not have an electronic signature, the individual 1386
shall provide the individual's signature when the individual 1387
votes for the first time. 1388

(C) (D) The secretary of state shall employ whatever 1389

security measures the secretary of state considers necessary to 1390
ensure the integrity and accuracy of voter registration 1391
information submitted electronically pursuant to this section. 1392
Errors in processing voter registration applications in the 1393
online system shall not prevent an applicant from becoming 1394
registered or from voting. 1395

(D) (E) The online voter registration application 1396

established under division (A) (B) of this section shall include 1397
the following language: 1398
H. B. No. 687 Page 49
As Introduced

"By clicking the box below, I affirm all of the following 1399
under penalty of election falsification, which is a felony of 1400
the fifth degree: 1401

(1) I am the person whose name and identifying information 1402

is provided on this form, and I desire to register to vote, or 1403
update my voter registration, in the State of Ohio. 1404

(2) All of the information I have provided on this form is 1405

true and correct as of the date I am submitting this form. 1406

(3) I am a United States citizen. 1407

(4) I will have lived in Ohio for thirty days immediately 1408
preceding the next election. 1409

(5) I will be at least eighteen years of age on or before 1410

the day of the next general election. 1411

(6) If an electronic copy of my signature is on file with 1412

the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, I authorize the Bureau of Motor 1413
Vehicles to transmit to the Ohio Secretary of State my signature 1414
that is on file with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and I 1415
understand and agree that the signature transmitted by the 1416
Bureau of Motor Vehicles will be used by the Secretary of State 1417
to validate this electronic voter registration application as if 1418
I had signed this form personally." 1419

In order to register to vote or update a voter 1420

registration under division (A) (B) of this section, an 1421
applicant or elector shall be required to mark the box in the 1422
online voter registration application that appears in 1423
conjunction with the previous statement. 1424

(E) The online voter registration process established 1425

under division (A) of this section shall be in operation and 1426
H. B. No. 687 Page 50
As Introduced

available for use by individuals who wish to register to vote or 1427

update their voter registration information online not earlier 1428
than January 1, 2017. (F)(1) When an applicant submits a voter 1429
registration application under this section, the secretary of 1430
state shall compare the information in the application with the 1431
information on file with the bureau of motor vehicles, as 1432
applicable. 1433

(2) If the secretary of state determines that the 1434

application is valid, the secretary of state shall submit the 1435
application to the board of elections of the county in which the 1436
applicant resides, and the board shall register the applicant. 1437

(3) If the secretary of state determines that the 1438

application is not valid, the secretary of state shall notify 1439
the applicant of that fact and provide the applicant with a 1440
voter registration form and instruct the applicant to submit 1441
that voter registration form. 1442

(G)(1) If an applicant who is to be registered under 1443

division (F)(2) of this section has an electronic signature on 1444
file with the bureau of motor vehicles, the secretary of state 1445
shall obtain the electronic signature and shall transmit it to 1446
the board of elections to be used as the applicant's signature 1447
for all election and signature-matching purposes. 1448

(2) If an applicant who is to be registered under division 1449

(F)(2) of this section does not have an electronic signature on 1450
file with the bureau of motor vehicles and the applicant is 1451
updating the elector's address, the board of elections of the 1452
county in which the applicant currently is registered shall 1453
create a legible digitized copy of the signature of the 1454
elector's existing registration record. That signature shall be 1455
used as the elector's signature on voter registration records 1456
H. B. No. 687 Page 51
As Introduced

for all election and signature-matching purposes. 1457

(3) If an applicant who is to be registered under division 1458

(F)(2) of this section does not have an electronic signature on 1459
file with the bureau of motor vehicles and is not a registered 1460
elector who is updating the elector's address, all of the 1461
following shall apply: 1462

(a)(i) The board of elections shall include with the 1463

applicant's notification of registration a signature card that 1464
instructs the applicant to sign the card and return it to the 1465
office of the board. The card shall notify the applicant that 1466
until the applicant signs and returns the card or signs a notice 1467
of change of name or residence, a poll list or signature 1468
pollbook, a provisional ballot affirmation, or an application 1469
for absent voter's ballots, the applicant's signature on an 1470
election petition is not valid. 1471

(ii) If the applicant signs and returns the signature card 1472
to the board of elections, the board shall create a legible 1473
digitized copy of the signature on the card, and that signature 1474
shall be used as the applicant's signature on voter registration 1475
records for all election and signature-matching purposes. 1476

(iii) The board of elections shall prepay the return 1477

postage for the signature card. 1478

(iv) The secretary of state shall prescribe the form of 1479

the signature card. 1480

(b) If the applicant does not sign and return the 1481
signature card, both of the following apply: 1482

(i) The first time an applicant signs a notice of change 1483

of name or residence, a poll list or signature pollbook, a 1484
provisional ballot affirmation, or an application for absent 1485
H. B. No. 687 Page 52
As Introduced

voter's ballots, the board of elections shall create a legible 1486

digitized copy of that signature. The signature shall be used as 1487
the applicant's signature on voter registration records for all 1488
election and signature-matching purposes. 1489

(ii) Until the board of elections has obtained the 1490

applicant's signature from a signature card, a notice of change 1491
of name or residence, a poll list or signature pollbook, a 1492
provisional ballot affirmation, or an application for absent 1493
voter's ballots, the applicant's signature on an election 1494
petition is not valid. 1495

(H) During the period beginning on the first day after the 1496
close of voter registration before an election and ending on the 1497
day of the election, the online voter registration system shall 1498
display a notice indicating that the applicant will not be 1499
registered to vote for the purposes of that election. 1500

(F) (I) Notwithstanding section 1.50 of the Revised Code, 1501

if any provision of this section or of division (E) (C) of 1502
section 3503.14 of the Revised Code is held invalid, or if the 1503
application of any provision of this section or of that division 1504
to any person or circumstance is held invalid, then this section 1505
and that division cease to operate. 1506

Sec. 3503.21. (A) The registration of a registered elector 1507

shall be canceled upon the occurrence of any of the following: 1508

(1) The filing by a registered elector of a written 1509

request with a board of elections or the secretary of state, on 1510
a form prescribed by the secretary of state and signed by the 1511
elector, that the registration be canceled. The filing of such a 1512
request does not prohibit an otherwise qualified elector from 1513
reregistering to vote at any time. 1514
H. B. No. 687 Page 53
As Introduced

(2) The filing of a notice of the death of a registered 1515

elector as provided in section 3503.18 of the Revised Code; 1516

(3) The filing with the board of elections of a certified 1517

copy of the death certificate of a registered elector by the 1518
deceased elector's spouse, parent, or child, by the 1519
administrator of the deceased elector's estate, or by the 1520
executor of the deceased elector's will; 1521

(4) The conviction of the registered elector of a felony 1522

under the laws of this state, any other state, or the United 1523
States as provided in section 2961.01 of the Revised Code; 1524

(5) The adjudication of incompetency of the registered 1525

elector for the purpose of voting as provided in section 1526
5122.301 of the Revised Code; 1527

(6) The registration of the registered elector to vote in 1528

another county in this state in accordance with division (B)(1) 1529
of this section; 1530

(7) The change of residence of the registered elector to a 1531

location outside the county of registration this state in 1532
accordance with division (B)(2) of this section; 1533

(7) (8) The failure of the registered elector, after 1534

having been mailed a confirmation notice, to do either any of 1535
the following at least once during a period of four consecutive 1536
years, which period shall include two general federal elections: 1537

(a) Respond to such a confirmation notice and vote at 1538

least once during a period of four consecutive years, which 1539
period shall include two general federal elections; 1540

(b) Update the elector's registration and vote at least 1541

once during a period of four consecutive years, which period 1542
H. B. No. 687 Page 54
As Introduced

shall include two general federal elections; 1543

(c) Vote in an election. 1544

(8) (9) The receipt by the board of elections of a 1545

cancellation notice or request pursuant to section 111.44 of the 1546
Revised Code. 1547

(B)(1) The secretary of state shall prescribe procedures 1548

to identify and cancel the registration in a prior county of 1549
residence of any registrant who changes the registrant's voting 1550
residence to a location outside the registrant's current 1551
registers to vote in another county of registration in this 1552
state. Any procedures prescribed in this division shall be 1553
uniform and nondiscriminatory, and shall comply with the Voting 1554
Rights Act of 1965. The secretary of state may prescribe 1555
procedures under this division that include the use of the 1556
national change of address service provided by the United States 1557
postal system through its licensees. Any program so prescribed 1558
shall be completed not later than ninety days prior to the date 1559
of any primary or general election for federal office. 1560

(2) The registration of any elector identified as having 1561

changed the elector's voting residence to a location outside the 1562
elector's current county of registration shall not be canceled 1563
unless the registrant is sent a confirmation notice on a form 1564
prescribed by the secretary of state and the registrant fails to 1565
respond to the confirmation notice or otherwise update the 1566
registration and fails to vote in any election during the period 1567
of two federal elections subsequent to the mailing of the 1568
confirmation notice.The secretary of state shall prescribe a 1569
process to use the national change of address service provided 1570
by the United States postal service system through its licensees 1571
to identify and send a confirmation notice to any registrant who 1572
H. B. No. 687 Page 55
As Introduced

changes the elector's voting residence to a location outside of 1573

this state. That process shall be uniform and nondiscriminatory, 1574
shall comply with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and shall be 1575
completed not later than ninety days before the date of any 1576
primary or general election for federal office. 1577

(3) The secretary of state or a board of elections shall 1578

not mail a confirmation notice to an elector under division (B) 1579
of this section unless the secretary of state or the board 1580
possesses reliable evidence from the national change of address 1581
service that the elector has changed the elector's voting 1582
residence to a location outside this state. 1583

(C) The secretary of state or a board of elections shall 1584

not mail a confirmation notice to an elector solely on the basis 1585
that the elector has failed to update the elector's registration 1586
or vote during a given period. 1587

(D) The registration of a registered elector shall not be 1588

canceled except as provided in this section, section 111.44 of 1589
the Revised Code, division (Q) of section 3501.05 of the Revised 1590
Code, division (C)(2) of section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, or 1591
division (C) of section 3503.24 of the Revised Code. 1592

(D) (E) Boards of elections shall send their voter 1593

registration information to the secretary of state as required 1594
under section 3503.15 of the Revised Code. The secretary of 1595
state may prescribe by rule adopted pursuant to section 111.15 1596
of the Revised Code the format in which the boards of elections 1597
must send that information to the secretary of state. In the 1598
first quarter of each year, the secretary of state shall send 1599
the information to the national change of address service 1600
described in division (B) of this section and request that 1601
service to provide the secretary of state with a list of any 1602
H. B. No. 687 Page 56
As Introduced

voters sent by the secretary of state who have moved to a 1603

location outside this state within the last twelve months. The 1604
secretary of state shall transmit to each appropriate board of 1605
elections whatever lists the secretary of state receives from 1606
that service. The board shall send a notice to each person on 1607
the list transmitted by the secretary of state requesting 1608
confirmation of the person's change of address, together with a 1609
postage prepaid, preaddressed return envelope containing a form 1610
on which the voter may verify or correct the change of address 1611
information. 1612

(E) The registration of a registered elector described in 1613

division (A)(7) or (B)(2) of this section shall be canceled not 1614
later than one hundred twenty days after the date of the second 1615
general federal election in which the elector fails to vote or 1616
not later than one hundred twenty days after the expiration of 1617
the four-year period in which the elector fails to vote or 1618
respond to a confirmation notice, whichever is later. 1619

(F)(1) When a registration is canceled pursuant to 1620

division (A)(2) or (3) of this section, the applicable board of 1621
elections shall send a written notice, on a form prescribed by 1622
the secretary of state, to the address at which the elector was 1623
registered, informing the recipient that the elector's 1624
registration has been canceled, of the reason for the 1625
cancellation, and that if the cancellation was made in error, 1626
the elector may contact the board of elections to correct the 1627
error. 1628

(2) If the elector's registration is canceled pursuant to 1629

division (A)(2) or (3) of this section in error, it shall be 1630
restored and treated as though it were never canceled. 1631

(G) Any voter registration that, before the effective date 1632
H. B. No. 687 Page 57
As Introduced

of this amendment, was canceled after the elector was sent a 1633
confirmation notice for either of the following reasons shall 1634
promptly be restored and treated as though it were never 1635
canceled, if the secretary of state or a board of elections has 1636
a record of that voter registration and cancellation: 1637

(1) The elector failed to update the elector's 1638

registration or vote at least once during a given period. 1639

(2) The elector was identified as having moved to another 1640

county in this state. 1641

Sec. 3503.28. (A) The secretary of state shall develop an 1642

information brochure regarding voter registration. The brochure 1643
shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following 1644
information: 1645

(1) The applicable deadlines for registering to vote or 1646

for returning an applicant's completed registration form; 1647

(2) The applicable deadline for returning an applicant's 1648

completed registration form if the person returning the form is 1649
being compensated for registering voters; 1650

(3) The locations to which a person may return an 1651

applicant's completed registration form; 1652

(4) The location to which a person who is compensated for 1653

registering voters may return an applicant's completed 1654
registration form; 1655

(5) The registration and affirmation requirements 1656

applicable to persons who are compensated for registering voters 1657
under section 3503.29 of the Revised Code; 1658

(6) A notice, which shall be written in bold type, stating 1659

as follows: 1660
H. B. No. 687 Page 58
As Introduced

"Voters must bring identification to the polls in order to 1661

verify identity. Identification may include a current and valid 1662
photo identification, a military identification, or a copy of a 1663
current utility bill, bank statement, government check, 1664
paycheck, or other government document, other than a voter 1665
registration notification sent by a board of elections, that 1666
shows the voter's name and current address. Voters who do not 1667
provide one of these documents will still be able to vote by 1668
casting a provisional ballot. Voters who do not have any of the 1669
above forms of identification, including a social security 1670
number, will still be able to vote by signing an affirmation 1671
swearing to the voter's identity under penalty of election 1672
falsification and by casting a provisional ballot." 1673

(B) Except as otherwise provided in division (D) of this 1674

section, a board of elections, designated agency, public high 1675
school, public vocational school, public library, public 1676
employment office as described in section 4141.04 of the Revised 1677
Code, OhioMeansJobs center as defined in section 6301.01 of the 1678
Revised Code, office of a county treasurer, or deputy registrar 1679
of motor vehicles shall distribute a copy of the brochure 1680
developed under division (A) of this section to any person who 1681
requests more than two voter registration forms at one time. 1682

(C)(1) The secretary of state shall provide the 1683

information required to be included in the brochure developed 1684
under division (A) of this section to any person who prints a 1685
voter registration form that is made available on a web site of 1686
the office of the secretary of state. 1687

(2) If a board of elections operates and maintains a web 1688

site, the board shall provide the information required to be 1689
included in the brochure developed under division (A) of this 1690
H. B. No. 687 Page 59
As Introduced

section to any person who prints a voter registration form that 1691
is made available on that web site. 1692

(D) A board of elections shall not be required to 1693

distribute a copy of a brochure under division (B) of this 1694
section to any of the following officials or employees who are 1695
requesting more than two voter registration forms at one time in 1696
the course of the official's or employee's normal duties: 1697

(1) An election official; 1698

(2) A county treasurer; 1699

(3) A deputy registrar of motor vehicles; 1700

(4) An employee of a designated agency; 1701

(5) An employee of a public high school; 1702

(6) An employee of a public vocational school; 1703

(7) An employee of a public library; 1704

(8) An employee of the office of a county treasurer; 1705

(9) An employee of the bureau of motor vehicles; 1706

(10) An employee of a deputy registrar of motor vehicles; 1707

(11) An employee of an election official; 1708

(12) An employee of a public employment office as 1709

described in section 4141.04 of the Revised code; 1710

(13) An employee of an OhioMeansJobs center as defined in 1711

section 6301.01 of the Revised Code. 1712

(E) As used in this section, "registering voters" includes 1713

any effort, for compensation, to provide voter registration 1714
forms or to assist persons in completing or returning those 1715
H. B. No. 687 Page 60
As Introduced

forms. 1716

Sec. 3505.18. (A)(1) When an elector appears in a polling 1717

place to vote, the elector shall announce to the precinct 1718
election officials the elector's full name and current address 1719
and provide proof of the elector's identity in the form of a 1720
current and valid photo identification, a military 1721
identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank 1722
statement, government check, paycheck, or other government 1723
document, other than a notice of voter registration mailed by a 1724
board of elections under section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, 1725
that shows the name and current address of the elector. 1726

(2) If an elector does not have or is unable to provide to 1727

the precinct election officials any of the forms of 1728
identification required under division (A)(1) of this section, 1729
the elector may cast a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 1730
of the Revised Code and do either of the following: 1731

(a) Write the elector's driver's license or state 1732

identification card number or the last four digits of the 1733
elector's social security number on the provisional ballot 1734
envelope; or 1735

(b) Appear at the office of the board of elections not 1736

later than the seventh day after the day of the election and 1737
provide Provide the identification required under division (A) 1738
(1) of this section, the elector's driver's license or state 1739
identification card number, or the last four digits of the 1740
elector's social security number to the board of elections not 1741
later than the seventh business day after the day of the 1742
election. 1743

(B)(1) After the elector has announced the elector's full 1744
H. B. No. 687 Page 61
As Introduced

name and current address and provided any of the forms of 1745
identification required under division (A)(1) of this section, 1746
the elector shall write the elector's name and address at the 1747
proper place in the poll list or signature pollbook provided for 1748
the purpose, except that if, for any reason, an elector is 1749
unable to write the elector's name and current address in the 1750
poll list or signature pollbook, the elector may make the 1751
elector's mark at the place intended for the elector's name, and 1752
a precinct election official shall write the name of the elector 1753
at the proper place on the poll list or signature pollbook 1754
following the elector's mark. The making of such a mark shall be 1755
attested by the precinct election official, who shall evidence 1756
the same by signing the precinct election official's name on the 1757
poll list or signature pollbook as a witness to the mark. 1758
Alternatively, if applicable, an attorney in fact acting 1759
pursuant to section 3501.382 of the Revised Code may sign the 1760
elector's signature in the poll list or signature pollbook in 1761
accordance with that section. 1762

The (2)(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(2) 1763

(b) of this section, the elector's signature in the poll list or 1764
signature pollbook then shall be compared with the elector's 1765
signature on the elector's registration form or a digitized 1766
signature list as provided for in section 3503.13 of the Revised 1767
Code, and if, in the opinion of a majority of the precinct 1768
election officials, the signatures are the signatures of the 1769
same person, the election officials shall enter the date of the 1770
election on the registration form or shall record the date by 1771
other means prescribed by the secretary of state. The validity 1772
of an attorney in fact's signature on behalf of an elector shall 1773
be determined in accordance with section 3501.382 of the Revised 1774
Code. 1775
H. B. No. 687 Page 62
As Introduced

(b) If the elector's registration form does not include a 1776

signature because of the circumstances described in division (G) 1777
(3) of section 3503.20 of the Revised Code, it shall not be 1778
necessary to compare the elector's signature in the poll list or 1779
signature pollbook with the signature on the elector's 1780
registration form or digitized signature list. 1781

(3) If the right of the elector to vote is not then 1782

challenged, or, if being challenged, the elector establishes the 1783
elector's right to vote, the elector shall be allowed to proceed 1784
to use the voting machine. If voting machines are not being used 1785
in that precinct, the precinct election official in charge of 1786
ballots shall then detach the next ballots to be issued to the 1787
elector from Stub B attached to each ballot, leaving Stub A 1788
attached to each ballot, hand the ballots to the elector, and 1789
call the elector's name and the stub number on each of the 1790
ballots. The precinct election official shall enter the stub 1791
numbers opposite the signature of the elector in the pollbook. 1792
The elector shall then retire to one of the voting compartments 1793
to mark the elector's ballots. No mark shall be made on any 1794
ballot which would in any way enable any person to identify the 1795
person who voted the ballot. 1796

Sec. 3505.181. (A) All of the following individuals shall 1797

be permitted to cast a provisional ballot at an election: 1798

(1) An individual who declares that the individual is a 1799

registered voter in the precinct in which the individual desires 1800
to vote and that the individual is eligible to vote in an 1801
election, but the name of the individual does not appear on the 1802
official list of eligible voters for the precinct or an election 1803
official asserts that the individual is not eligible to vote; 1804

(2) An individual who does not have or is unable to 1805

H. B. No. 687 Page 63
As Introduced

provide to the election officials any of the forms of 1806

identification required under division (A)(1) of section 3505.18 1807
of the Revised Code; 1808

(3) An individual whose name in the poll list or signature 1809

pollbook has been marked under section 3509.09 or 3511.13 of the 1810
Revised Code as having requested an absent voter's ballot or a 1811
uniformed services or overseas absent voter's ballot for that 1812
election and who appears to vote at the polling place; 1813

(4) An individual whose notification of registration has 1814

been returned undelivered to the board of elections and whose 1815
name in the official registration list and in the poll list or 1816
signature pollbook has been marked under division (C)(2) of 1817
section 3503.19 of the Revised Code; 1818

(5) An individual who has been successfully challenged 1819

under section 3505.20 or 3513.20 of the Revised Code; 1820

(6) An individual who changes the individual's name and 1821

remains within the precinct without providing proof of that name 1822
change under division (B)(1)(b) of section 3503.16 of the 1823
Revised Code, moves from one precinct to another within a 1824
county, moves from one precinct to another and changes the 1825
individual's name, or moves from one county to another within 1826
the state, and completes and signs the required forms and 1827
statements under division (B) or (C) of section 3503.16 of the 1828
Revised Code; 1829

(7) An individual whose signature, in the opinion of the 1830

precinct officers under section 3505.22 of the Revised Code, is 1831
not that of the person who signed that name in the registration 1832
forms. 1833

(B) An individual who is eligible to cast a provisional 1834

H. B. No. 687 Page 64
As Introduced

ballot under division (A) of this section shall be permitted to 1835

cast a provisional ballot as follows: 1836

(1) An election official at the polling place shall notify 1837

the individual that the individual may cast a provisional ballot 1838
in that election. 1839

(2) Except as otherwise provided in division (F) of this 1840

section, the individual shall complete and execute a written 1841
affirmation before an election official at the polling place 1842
stating that the individual is both of the following: 1843

(a) A registered voter in the precinct in which the 1844

individual desires to vote; 1845

(b) Eligible to vote in that election. 1846

(3) An election official at the polling place shall 1847

transmit the ballot cast by the individual and the voter 1848
information contained in the written affirmation executed by the 1849
individual under division (B)(2) of this section to an 1850
appropriate local election official for verification under 1851
division (B)(4) of this section. 1852

(4) If the appropriate local election official to whom the 1853

ballot or voter or address information is transmitted under 1854
division (B)(3) of this section determines that the individual 1855
is eligible to vote, the individual's provisional ballot shall 1856
be counted as a vote in that election. 1857

(5)(a) At the time that an individual casts a provisional 1858

ballot, the appropriate local election official shall give the 1859
individual written information that states that any individual 1860
who casts a provisional ballot will be able to ascertain under 1861
the system established under division (B)(5)(b) of this section 1862
whether the vote was counted, and, if the vote was not counted, 1863
H. B. No. 687 Page 65
As Introduced

the reason that the vote was not counted. 1864

(b) The appropriate state or local election official shall 1865

establish a free access system, in the form of a toll-free 1866
telephone number, that any individual who casts a provisional 1867
ballot may access to discover whether the vote of that 1868
individual was counted, and, if the vote was not counted, the 1869
reason that the vote was not counted. The free access system 1870
established under this division also shall provide to an 1871
individual whose provisional ballot was not counted information 1872
explaining how that individual may contact the board of 1873
elections to register to vote or to resolve problems with the 1874
individual's voter registration. 1875

The appropriate state or local election official shall 1876

establish and maintain reasonable procedures necessary to 1877
protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of personal 1878
information collected, stored, or otherwise used by the free 1879
access system established under this division. The system shall 1880
permit an individual only to gain access to information about 1881
the individual's own provisional ballot. 1882

(6) If, at the time that an individual casts a provisional 1883

ballot, the individual provides identification in the form of a 1884
current and valid photo identification, a military 1885
identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank 1886
statement, government check, paycheck, or other government 1887
document, other than a notice of voter registration mailed by a 1888
board of elections under section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, 1889
that shows the individual's name and current address, or 1890
provides the individual's driver's license or state 1891
identification card number or the last four digits of the 1892
individual's social security number, the individual shall record 1893
H. B. No. 687 Page 66
As Introduced

the type of identification provided or the driver's license, 1894

state identification card, or social security number information 1895
and include that information on the provisional ballot 1896
affirmation under division (B)(3) of this section. 1897

(7) During the seven business days after the day of an 1898
election, an individual who casts a provisional ballot because 1899
the individual does not have or is unable to provide to the 1900
election officials any of the required forms of identification 1901
or because the individual has been successfully challenged under 1902
section 3505.20 of the Revised Code, or whose provisional ballot 1903
affirmation otherwise is incomplete or incorrect, shall appear 1904
at the office of the board of elections and may provide to the 1905
board of elections any additional information necessary to 1906
determine the eligibility of the individual who cast the 1907
provisional ballot, as described in division (G)(1) of section 1908
3505.183 of the Revised Code. 1909

(a) For a provisional ballot cast by an individual who 1910

does not have or is unable to provide to the election officials 1911
any of the required forms of identification to be eligible to be 1912
counted, the individual who cast that ballot, within seven 1913
business days after the day of the election, shall may do either 1914
of the following: 1915

(i) Provide to the board of elections proof of the 1916

individual's identity in the form of a current and valid photo 1917
identification, a military identification, or a copy of a 1918
current utility bill, bank statement, government check, 1919
paycheck, or other government document, other than a notice of 1920
voter registration mailed by a board of elections under section 1921
3503.19 of the Revised Code, that shows the individual's name 1922
and current address; or 1923
H. B. No. 687 Page 67
As Introduced

(ii) Provide to the board of elections the individual's 1924

driver's license or state identification card number or the last 1925
four digits of the individual's social security number. 1926

(b) For a provisional ballot cast by an individual who has 1927

been successfully challenged under section 3505.20 of the 1928
Revised Code to be eligible to be counted, the individual who 1929
cast that ballot, within seven business days after the day of 1930
that election, shall may provide to the board of elections any 1931
identification or other documentation required to be provided by 1932
the applicable challenge questions asked of that individual 1933
under section 3505.20 of the Revised Code. 1934

(C)(1) If an individual declares that the individual is 1935

eligible to vote in a precinct other than the precinct in which 1936
the individual desires to vote, or if, upon review of the 1937
precinct voting location guide using the residential street 1938
address provided by the individual, an election official at the 1939
precinct at which the individual desires to vote determines that 1940
the individual is not eligible to vote in that precinct, the 1941
election official shall direct the individual to the precinct 1942
and polling place in which the individual appears to be eligible 1943
to vote, explain that the individual may cast a provisional 1944
ballot at the current location but the ballot or a portion of 1945
the ballot will not be counted if it is cast in the wrong 1946
precinct, and provide the telephone number of the board of 1947
elections in case the individual has additional questions. 1948

(2) If the individual refuses to travel to the correct 1949

precinct or to the office of the board of elections to cast a 1950
ballot, the individual shall be permitted to vote a provisional 1951
ballot at that precinct in accordance with division (B) of this 1952
section. If the individual is in the correct polling location 1953
H. B. No. 687 Page 68
As Introduced

for the precinct in which the individual is registered and 1954

eligible to vote, the election official shall complete and sign, 1955
under penalty of election falsification, a form that includes 1956
all of the following, and attach the form to the individual's 1957
provisional ballot affirmation: 1958

(a) The name or number of the individual's correct 1959

precinct; 1960

(b) A statement that the election official instructed the 1961

individual to travel to the correct precinct to vote; 1962

(c) A statement that the election official informed the 1963

individual that casting a provisional ballot in the wrong 1964
precinct would result in all or a portion of the votes on the 1965
ballot being rejected; 1966

(d) The name or number of the precinct in which the 1967

individual is casting a provisional ballot; and 1968

(e) The name of the polling location in which the 1969

individual is casting a provisional ballot. 1970

(D) The appropriate local election official shall cause 1971

voting information to be publicly posted at each polling place 1972
on the day of each election. 1973

(E) As used in this section and sections 3505.182 and 1974

3505.183 of the Revised Code: 1975

(1) "Precinct voting location guide" means either of the 1976

following: 1977

(a) An electronic or paper record that lists the correct 1978

precinct and polling place for either each specific residential 1979
street address in the county or the range of residential street 1980
addresses located in each neighborhood block in the county; 1981
H. B. No. 687 Page 69
As Introduced

(b) Any other method that a board of elections creates 1982

that allows a precinct election official or any elector who is 1983
at a polling place in that county to determine the correct 1984
precinct and polling place of any qualified elector who resides 1985
in the county. 1986

(2) "Voting information" means all of the following: 1987

(a) A sample version of the ballot that will be used for 1988
that election; 1989

(b) Information regarding the date of the election and the 1990
hours during which polling places will be open; 1991

(c) Instructions on how to vote, including how to cast a 1992

vote and how to cast a provisional ballot; 1993

(d) Instructions for mail-in registrants and first-time 1994

voters under applicable federal and state laws; 1995

(e) General information on voting rights under applicable 1996

federal and state laws, including information on the right of an 1997
individual to cast a provisional ballot and instructions on how 1998
to contact the appropriate officials if these rights are alleged 1999
to have been violated; 2000

(f) General information on federal and state laws 2001

regarding prohibitions against acts of fraud and 2002
misrepresentation. 2003

(F) Nothing in this section or section 3505.183 of the 2004

Revised Code is in derogation of section 3505.24 of the Revised 2005
Code, which permits a blind, disabled, or illiterate elector to 2006
receive assistance in the marking of the elector's ballot by two 2007
precinct election officials of different political parties. A 2008
blind, disabled, or illiterate elector may receive assistance in 2009
H. B. No. 687 Page 70
As Introduced

marking that elector's provisional ballot and in completing the 2010

required affirmation in the same manner as an elector may 2011
receive assistance on the day of an election under that section. 2012

Sec. 3505.182. Each individual who casts a provisional 2013

ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code shall execute 2014
a written affirmation. The form of the written affirmation shall 2015
be printed upon the face of the provisional ballot envelope and 2016
shall be as follows: 2017

"Provisional Ballot Affirmation 2018

(A) Clearly print your full name: ___________________ 2019

(B) Write your date of birth: _______________________ 2020

(C)(1) Write your current address: __________________ 2021

_____________________________________________________ 2022

(2) Have you moved without updating your voter 2023

registration?: 2024

Yes ______ No ______ 2025

If yes, write your former address: __________________ 2026

_____________________________________________________ 2027

Failure to provide your former address will not cause your 2028
provisional ballot to be rejected. 2029

(D) Provide one of the following forms of identification: 2030

(1) Write your full Ohio driver's license or state 2031

identification card number: ________________________ 2032

(2) Write the last four digits of your Social Security 2033
number: _______________ 2034
H. B. No. 687 Page 71
As Introduced

(3) If you did not write your full Ohio driver's license 2035
or state identification card number or the last four digits of 2036
your Social Security number, you must may show one of the 2037
following forms of identification to the precinct election 2038
official. If you do not check one of the following boxes 2039
affirming the type of identification you showed to the precinct 2040
election official, the board of elections will conclude that you 2041
did not show identification to your precinct election official 2042
and that you must show may provide identification at to the 2043
board of elections during the seven business days after the 2044
election for your vote to be eligible to be counted. 2045

______ A form of photo identification that was issued by 2046

the United States government or the State of Ohio, that contains 2047
your name and current address (or your former address if the 2048
identification is an Ohio driver's license or state 2049
identification card), and that has an expiration date that has 2050
not passed; 2051

______ A military identification card; or 2052

______ A current utility bill, bank statement, government 2053

check, paycheck, or other government document, other than a 2054
notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections, 2055
that contains your name and current address. 2056

(4) If you fail to provide identification at this time, 2057

you must go to the board of elections on or before the seventh 2058
day following this election to may provide a qualifying form of 2059
identification in order for this ballot to count to the board of 2060
elections on or before the seventh business day following this 2061
election. 2062

(E) If your right to vote has been challenged, you must 2063
H. B. No. 687 Page 72
As Introduced

may provide any required additional information to the board of 2064

elections on or before the seventh business day following this 2065
election. 2066

(F) Sign and date the following statement: 2067

I solemnly swear or affirm that I am a citizen of the 2068

United States; that I will be at least 18 years of age at the 2069
time of the general election; that I have lived in this state 2070
for 30 days immediately preceding this election in which I am 2071
voting this ballot; that I am a registered voter in the precinct 2072
in which I am voting this provisional ballot; and that I am 2073
eligible to vote in the election in which I am voting this 2074
provisional ballot. 2075

I understand that, if the information I provide on this 2076

provisional ballot affirmation is not fully completed and 2077
correct, if the board of elections determines that I am not 2078
registered to vote, a resident of this precinct, or eligible to 2079
vote in this election, or if the board of elections determines 2080
that I have already voted in this election, my provisional 2081
ballot will not be counted. I understand that, if I am not 2082
currently registered to vote or if I am not registered at my 2083
current address or under my current name, this form will serve 2084
as an application to register to vote or update my registration 2085
for future elections, as long as I provide all of the 2086
information required to register to vote or update my 2087
registration. I further understand that knowingly providing 2088
false information is a violation of law and subjects me to 2089
possible criminal prosecution. 2090

I hereby declare, under penalty of election falsification, 2091

that the above statements are true and correct to the best of my 2092
knowledge and belief. 2093
H. B. No. 687 Page 73
As Introduced

________________________ 2094

Signature of Voter 2095

________________________ 2096

Date 2097

WHOEVER COMMITS ELECTION FALSIFICATION IS GUILTY OF A 2098

FELONY OF THE FIFTH DEGREE." 2099

In addition to any information required to be included on 2100

the written affirmation, an individual casting a provisional 2101
ballot may provide additional information to the election 2102
official to assist the board of elections in determining the 2103
individual's eligibility to vote in that election, including the 2104
date and location at which the individual registered to vote, if 2105
known. 2106

If the individual provided all of the information required 2107

under section 3503.14 of the Revised Code to register to vote or 2108
to update the individual's registration on the provisional 2109
ballot affirmation, the board of elections shall consider the 2110
individual's provisional ballot affirmation to also serve as a 2111
notice of change of name, change of residence, or both, or as a 2112
voter registration form, as applicable, for that individual only 2113
for the purposes of future elections. 2114

Sec. 3505.183. (A) When the ballot boxes are delivered to 2115
the board of elections from the precincts, the board shall 2116
separate the provisional ballot envelopes from the rest of the 2117
ballots. Teams of employees of the board consisting of one 2118
member of each major political party shall place the sealed 2119
provisional ballot envelopes in a secure location within the 2120
office of the board. The sealed provisional ballot envelopes 2121
shall remain in that secure location until the validity of those 2122
H. B. No. 687 Page 74
As Introduced

ballots is determined under division (B) of this section. While 2123

the provisional ballot is stored in that secure location, and 2124
prior to the counting of the provisional ballots, if the board 2125
receives information regarding the validity of a specific 2126
provisional ballot under division (B) of this section, the board 2127
may note, on the sealed provisional ballot envelope for that 2128
ballot, whether the ballot is valid and entitled to be counted. 2129

(B)(1) To determine whether a provisional ballot is valid 2130

and entitled to be counted, the board shall examine its records 2131
and determine whether the individual who cast the provisional 2132
ballot is registered and eligible to vote in the applicable 2133
election. The board shall examine the information contained in 2134
the written affirmation executed by the individual who cast the 2135
provisional ballot under division (B)(2) of section 3505.181 of 2136
the Revised Code. The following information shall be included in 2137
the written affirmation in order for the provisional ballot to 2138
be eligible to be counted: 2139

(a) The individual's printed name, signature, date of 2140

birth, and current address; 2141

(b) A statement that the individual is a registered voter 2142

in the precinct in which the provisional ballot is being voted; 2143

(c) A statement that the individual is eligible to vote in 2144

the election in which the provisional ballot is being voted. 2145

(2) In addition to the information required to be included 2146

in an affirmation under division (B)(1) of this section, in 2147
determining whether a provisional ballot is valid and entitled 2148
to be counted, the board also shall examine any additional 2149
information for determining ballot validity provided by the 2150
provisional voter on the affirmation, provided by the 2151
H. B. No. 687 Page 75
As Introduced

provisional voter to an election official under section 3505.182 2152

of the Revised Code, or provided to the board of elections 2153
during the seven business days after the day of the election 2154
under division (B)(7) (G)(1) of this section 3505.181 of the 2155
Revised Code, to assist the board in determining the 2156
individual's eligibility to vote. 2157

(3) If, in examining a provisional ballot affirmation and 2158

additional information under divisions (B)(1) and (2) of this 2159
section and comparing the information required under division 2160
(B)(1) of this section provided with the elector's information 2161
in the statewide voter registration database, the board 2162
determines that all both of the following apply, the provisional 2163
ballot envelope shall be opened, and the ballot shall be placed 2164
in a ballot box to be counted: 2165

(a) The individual named on the affirmation is properly 2166

registered to vote. 2167

(b) The individual named on the affirmation is eligible to 2168

cast a ballot in the precinct and for the election in which the 2169
individual cast the provisional ballot. 2170

(c) The individual provided all of the information 2171

required under division (B)(1) of this section in the 2172
affirmation that the individual executed at the time the 2173
individual cast the provisional ballot. 2174

(d) The last four digits of the elector's social security 2175
number or the elector's driver's license number or state 2176
identification card number are not different from the last four 2177
digits of the elector's social security number or the elector's 2178
driver's license number or state identification card number 2179
contained in the statewide voter registration database. 2180
H. B. No. 687 Page 76
As Introduced

(e) Except as otherwise provided in this division, the 2181

month and day of the elector's date of birth are not different 2182
from the day and month of the elector's date of birth contained 2183
in the statewide voter registration database. 2184

This division does not apply to an elector's provisional 2185

ballot if either of the following is true: 2186

(i) The elector's date of birth contained in the statewide 2187

voter registration database is January 1, 1800. 2188

(ii) The board of elections has found, by a vote of at 2189

least three of its members, that the elector has met all other 2190
requirements of division (B)(3) of this section. 2191

(f) The elector's current address is not different from 2192

the elector's address contained in the statewide voter 2193
registration database, unless the elector indicated that the 2194
elector is casting a provisional ballot because the elector has 2195
moved and has not submitted a notice of change of address, as 2196
described in division (A)(6) of section 3505.181 of the Revised 2197
Code. 2198

(g) If applicable, the individual provided any additional 2199

information required under division (B)(7) of section 3505.181 2200
of the Revised Code within seven days after the day of the 2201
election. 2202

(4)(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (D) of 2203

this section, if, in examining a provisional ballot affirmation 2204
and additional information under divisions (B)(1) and (2) of 2205
this section and comparing the information required under 2206
division (B)(1) of this section with the elector's information 2207
in the statewide voter registration database, the board 2208
determines that any of the following applies, the provisional 2209
H. B. No. 687 Page 77
As Introduced

ballot envelope shall not be opened, and the ballot shall not be 2210
counted: 2211

(i) The individual named on the affirmation is not 2212

qualified or is not properly registered to vote. 2213

(ii) The individual named on the affirmation is not 2214

eligible to cast a ballot in the precinct or for the election in 2215
which the individual cast the provisional ballot. 2216

(iii) The individual did not provide all of the 2217

information required under division (B)(1) of this section in 2218
the affirmation that the individual executed at the time the 2219
individual cast the provisional ballot. 2220

(iv) The individual has already cast a ballot for the 2221
election in which the individual cast the provisional ballot. 2222

(v) If applicable, the individual did not provide any 2223

additional information required under division (B)(7) of section 2224
3505.181 of the Revised Code within seven days after the day of 2225
the election. 2226

(vi) The individual failed to provide a current and valid 2227

photo identification, a military identification, a copy of a 2228
current utility bill, bank statement, government check, 2229
paycheck, or other government document, other than a notice of 2230
voter registration mailed by a board of elections under section 2231
3503.19 of the Revised Code, with the voter's name and current 2232
address, the individual's driver's license or state 2233
identification card number, or the last four digits of the 2234
individual's social security number or to execute an affirmation 2235
under division (B) of section 3505.181 of the Revised Code. 2236

(vii) The last four digits of the elector's social 2237

security number or the elector's driver's license number or 2238
H. B. No. 687 Page 78
As Introduced

state identification card number are different from the last 2239
four digits of the elector's social security number or the 2240
elector's driver's license number or state identification card 2241
number contained in the statewide voter registration database. 2242

(viii) Except as otherwise provided in this division, the 2243

month and day of the elector's date of birth are different from 2244
the day and month of the elector's date of birth contained in 2245
the statewide voter registration database. 2246

This division does not apply to an elector's provisional 2247

ballot if either of the following is true: 2248

(I) The elector's date of birth contained in the statewide 2249

voter registration database is January 1, 1800. 2250

(II) The board of elections has found, by a vote of at 2251

least three of its members, that the elector has met all of the 2252
requirements of division (B)(3) of this section, other than the 2253
requirements of division (B)(3)(e) of this section. 2254

(ix) The elector's current address is different from the 2255

elector's address contained in the statewide voter registration 2256
database, unless the elector indicated that the elector is 2257
casting a provisional ballot because the elector has moved and 2258
has not submitted a notice of change of address, as described in 2259
division (A)(6) of section 3505.181 of the Revised Code. 2260

(b) If, in examining a provisional ballot affirmation and 2261

additional information under divisions (B)(1) and (2) of this 2262
section and comparing the information required under division 2263
(B)(1) of this section with the elector's information in the 2264
statewide voter registration database, the board is unable to 2265
determine either of the following, the provisional ballot 2266
envelope shall not be opened, and the ballot shall not be 2267
H. B. No. 687 Page 79
As Introduced

counted: 2268

(i) Whether the individual named on the affirmation is 2269

qualified or properly registered to vote; 2270

(ii) Whether the individual named on the affirmation is 2271

eligible to cast a ballot in the precinct or for the election in 2272
which the individual cast the provisional ballot. 2273

(C) For each provisional ballot rejected under division 2274

(B)(4) of this section, the board shall record the name of the 2275
provisional voter who cast the ballot, the identification number 2276
of the provisional ballot envelope, the names of the election 2277
officials who determined the validity of that ballot, the date 2278
and time that the determination was made, and the reason that 2279
the ballot was not counted, unless the board has already 2280
recorded that information in another database. 2281

(D)(1) If an individual cast a provisional ballot in a 2282

precinct in which the individual is not registered and eligible 2283
to vote, but in the correct polling location for the precinct in 2284
which the individual is registered and eligible to vote in this 2285
state, and the election official failed to direct the individual 2286
to the correct precinct, the individual's ballot shall be remade 2287
under division (D)(2) of this section. The election official 2288
shall be deemed to have directed the individual to the correct 2289
precinct if the election official correctly completed the form 2290
described in division (C)(2) of section 3505.181 of the Revised 2291
Code. 2292

(2) A board of elections that remakes a provisional ballot 2293

under division (D)(1) of this section shall remake the 2294
provisional ballot on a ballot for the appropriate precinct to 2295
reflect the offices, questions, and issues for which the 2296
H. B. No. 687 Page 80
As Introduced

individual was eligible to cast a ballot and for which the 2297
individual attempted to cast a provisional ballot. The remade 2298
ballot shall be counted for each office, question, and issue for 2299
which the individual was eligible to vote. 2300

(3) If an individual cast a provisional ballot in a 2301

precinct in which the individual is not registered and eligible 2302
to vote and in the incorrect polling location for the precinct 2303
in which the individual is registered and eligible to vote, the 2304
provisional ballot envelope shall not be opened, and the ballot 2305
shall not be counted. 2306

(E) Provisional ballots that are rejected under division 2307

(B)(4) of this section shall not be counted but shall be 2308
preserved in their provisional ballot envelopes unopened until 2309
the time provided by section 3505.31 of the Revised Code for the 2310
destruction of all other ballots used at the election for which 2311
ballots were provided, at which time they shall be destroyed. 2312

(F) Provisional ballots that the board determines are 2313

eligible to be counted under division (B)(3) or (D) of this 2314
section shall be counted in the same manner as provided for 2315
other ballots under section 3505.27 of the Revised Code. No 2316
provisional ballots shall be counted in a particular county 2317
until the board determines the eligibility to be counted of all 2318
provisional ballots cast in that county under division (B) of 2319
this section for that election. Observers, as provided in 2320
section 3505.21 of the Revised Code, may be present at all times 2321
that the board is determining the eligibility of provisional 2322
ballots to be counted and counting those provisional ballots 2323
determined to be eligible. No person shall recklessly disclose 2324
the count or any portion of the count of provisional ballots in 2325
such a manner as to jeopardize the secrecy of any individual 2326
H. B. No. 687 Page 81
As Introduced

ballot. 2327

(G)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (G)(2) of 2328

this section, nothing in this section shall prevent a The board 2329
of elections from examining shall examine all provisional ballot 2330
affirmations and additional information under divisions (B)(1) 2331
and (2) of this section promptly after the day of the election 2332
to determine the eligibility of provisional ballots to be 2333
counted during the ten days after the day of an election whether 2334
the information provided is incomplete or incorrect. If the 2335
board finds that a provisional ballot affirmation is incomplete 2336
or that the information contained in the affirmation does not 2337
conform to the information contained in the statewide voter 2338
registration database concerning the voter, the board shall mail 2339
a written notice to the voter, informing the voter of the nature 2340
of the defect. The notice shall inform the voter that the voter 2341
may provide the necessary information to the board of elections 2342
in writing and on a form prescribed by the secretary of state 2343
not later than the seventh day after the day of the election. 2344
The voter may deliver the form to the office of the board in 2345
person or by mail. 2346

(2) A board of elections shall not examine the make a 2347

final determination concerning whether a provisional ballot 2348
affirmation and additional information under divisions (B)(1) 2349
and (2) of this section of any provisional ballot cast by an 2350
individual who must may provide additional or corrected 2351
information to the board of elections under division (B)(7) (G) 2352
(1) of this section 3505.181 of the Revised Code for the board 2353
to determine the individual's eligibility is eligible to be 2354
counted until the individual provides that information or until 2355
the eleventh day after the day of the election, whichever is 2356
earlier. 2357
H. B. No. 687 Page 82
As Introduced

Sec. 3509.02. (A) Any qualified elector may vote by absent 2358
voter's ballots at an election. 2359

(B) Any qualified elector who is unable to appear at the 2360

office of the board of elections or, if pursuant to division (C) 2361
of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated 2362
at another location in the county at which registered electors 2363
may vote, at that other location on account of personal illness, 2364
physical disability, or infirmity, and who moves from one 2365
precinct to another within a county, changes the elector's name 2366
and moves from one precinct to another within a county, or moves 2367
from one county to another county within the state, on or prior 2368
to the day of a general, primary, or special election and has 2369
not filed a notice of change of residence or change of name may 2370
vote by absent voter's ballots in that election as specified in 2371
division (G) of section 3503.16 of the Revised Code. 2372

Sec. 3509.05. (A)(1) When an elector receives an absent 2373

voter's ballot pursuant to the elector's application or request, 2374
the elector shall, before placing any marks on the ballot, note 2375
whether there are any voting marks on it. If there are any 2376
voting marks, the ballot shall be returned immediately to the 2377
board of elections; otherwise, the elector shall cause the 2378
ballot to be marked, folded in a manner that the stub on it and 2379
the indorsements and facsimile signatures of the members of the 2380
board of elections on the back of it are visible, and placed and 2381
sealed within the identification envelope received from the 2382
director of elections for that purpose. Then, the elector shall 2383
cause the statement of voter on the outside of the 2384
identification envelope to be completed and signed, under 2385
penalty of election falsification. 2386

(2) If the elector does not provide the elector's driver's 2387
H. B. No. 687 Page 83
As Introduced

license number or the last four digits of the elector's social 2388
security number on the statement of voter on the identification 2389
envelope, the elector also shall include in the return envelope 2390
with the identification envelope a copy of the elector's current 2391
valid photo identification, a copy of a military identification, 2392
or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government 2393
check, paycheck, or other government document, other than a 2394
notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections 2395
under section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, that shows the name 2396
and address of the elector. 2397

(3)(a) The elector shall mail place the identification 2398

envelope to the director from whom it was received in the return 2399
envelope and return it to the board of elections by one of the 2400
following methods: 2401

(i) By mailing it, postage prepaid, or the elector may to 2402

the office of the board; 2403

(ii) By personally deliver delivering it to the director, 2404

or office of the board or to a ballot drop box in the county 2405
described in section 3509.052 of the Revised Code; 2406

(iii) By having another person of the spouse of the 2407

elector, the father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, 2408
grandfather, grandmother, brother, or sister of the whole or 2409
half blood, or the son, daughter, adopting parent, adopted 2410
child, stepparent, stepchild, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of 2411
the elector may elector's choice deliver it to the director 2412
office of the board or to a ballot drop box in the county 2413
described in section 3509.052 of the Revised Code. The 2414

(b) The return envelope shall be transmitted to the 2415

director board of elections in no other manner, except as 2416
H. B. No. 687 Page 84
As Introduced

provided in section 3509.08 of the Revised Code. 2417

(4) When absent voter's ballots are delivered to an 2418

elector at the office of the board, the elector may retire to a 2419
voting compartment provided by the board and there mark the 2420
ballots. Thereupon, the elector shall fold them, place them in 2421
the identification envelope provided, seal the envelope, fill in 2422
and sign the statement on the envelope under penalty of election 2423
falsification, and deliver the envelope to the director election 2424
officials at the office of the board. 2425

(5) Except as otherwise provided in division (B) of this 2426

section, all other envelopes containing marked absent voter's 2427
ballots shall be delivered to the director received at the 2428
office of the board or at a ballot drop box in the county not 2429
later than the close of the polls on the day of an election. 2430
Absent voter's ballots delivered to the director received at the 2431
office of the board later than the times specified shall not be 2432
counted, but shall be kept by the board in the sealed 2433
identification envelopes in which they are delivered to the 2434
director, until the time provided by section 3505.31 of the 2435
Revised Code for the destruction of all other ballots used at 2436
the election for which ballots were provided, at which time they 2437
shall be destroyed. 2438

(B)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(2) of 2439

this section, any return envelope that is returned by mail and 2440
is postmarked prior to or otherwise dated or marked by the 2441
United States postal service on or before the day of the 2442
election shall be delivered to received at the director office 2443
of the board prior to the eleventh day after the election. 2444
Ballots delivered in envelopes that are postmarked prior to or 2445
otherwise dated or marked by the United States postal service on 2446
H. B. No. 687 Page 85
As Introduced

or before the day of the election that are received after the 2447
close of the polls on election day through the tenth day 2448
thereafter shall be counted on the eleventh day at the board of 2449
elections in the manner provided in divisions (C) and (D) of 2450
section 3509.06 of the Revised Code or in the manner provided in 2451
division (E) of that section, as applicable. Any such ballots 2452
that are received by the director later than the tenth day 2453
following the election shall not be counted, but shall be kept 2454
by the board in the sealed identification envelopes as provided 2455
in division (A) of this section. 2456

(2) Division (B)(1) of this section shall not apply to any 2457
mail that is postmarked using a postage evidencing system, 2458
including a postage meter, as defined in 39 C.F.R. 501.1. 2459

Sec. 3509.051. Notwithstanding section 3509.05 or any 2460

other provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, all of the 2461
following shall apply to the casting of absent voter's ballots 2462
in person: 2463

(A) The absent voter shall provide identification to the 2464

election officials in the same manner as one of the following: 2465

(1) As a voter who casts a ballot in person on the day of 2466

an election is required to provide identification under section 2467
3505.18 of the Revised Code; or 2468

(2) As a voter who casts an absent voter's ballot is 2469

required to submit a completed written application for an absent 2470
voter's ballot under section 3509.03 of the Revised Code. 2471

(B) The absent voter shall not be required to complete a 2472

statement of voter on an absent voter's ballot identification 2473
envelope. 2474

(C) The board of elections shall provide a signature book 2475

H. B. No. 687 Page 86
As Introduced

to be signed by absent voters who are casting their ballots in 2476

person. 2477

(D) No person other than an election official shall be 2478

permitted to challenge the right to vote of an absent voter who 2479
is casting a ballot in person. An election official may 2480
challenge the right to vote of an absent voter who is casting a 2481
ballot in person in the same manner as a precinct election 2482
official may challenge the right to vote of an elector on the 2483
day of an election under section 3505.20 or 3513.19 of the 2484
Revised Code. 2485

(E) No absent voter may receive a replacement ballot after 2486

the voter's absent voter's ballot has been scanned or entered 2487
into automatic tabulating equipment. 2488

(F) The board of elections may permit electors to cast 2489

absent voter's ballots in person at the office of the board, at 2490
one or more branch offices, or at all of those locations. 2491

Sec. 3509.052. (A) The board of elections may establish 2492

one or more secure drop boxes in the county for the return of 2493
absent voter's ballots to the board without the payment of 2494
postage. 2495

(B) A bipartisan team of election officials shall close 2496

the drop box and collect the deposited ballots promptly at 2497
seven-thirty p.m. on the day of the election, provided that 2498
persons who are waiting in line to deposit ballots in the drop 2499
box at that time shall be permitted to deposit those ballots. 2500

Sec. 3509.053. The board of elections shall enter into a 2501

memorandum of understanding with the appropriate regional office 2502
of the United States postal service. The memorandum of 2503
understanding shall allow election officials to perform visual 2504
H. B. No. 687 Page 87
As Introduced

inspections of relevant postal facilities in the county, on the 2505

day of each election and on the tenth day after the day of each 2506
election, in order to ensure that no undelivered absent voter's 2507
ballots remain in those facilities. 2508

Sec. 3509.06. (A) The board of elections shall determine 2509

whether absent voter's ballots shall be processed and counted in 2510
each precinct, at the office of the board, or at some other 2511
location designated by the board, and shall proceed accordingly 2512
under division (B), (C), or (E) of this section, as applicable. 2513

(B)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(2) of 2514

this section, when the board of elections determines that absent 2515
voter's ballots shall be processed and counted in each precinct, 2516
the director shall deliver to the voting location manager of 2517
each precinct on election day identification envelopes 2518
purporting to contain absent voter's ballots of electors whose 2519
voting residence appears from the statement of voter on the 2520
outside of each of those envelopes, to be located in that 2521
manager's precinct, and which were received by the director not 2522
later than the close of the polls on election day. The director 2523
shall deliver to the voting location manager a list containing 2524
the name and voting residence of each person whose voting 2525
residence is in such precinct to whom absent voter's ballots 2526
were mailed. 2527

(2) The director shall not deliver to the voting location 2528
manager identification envelopes cast by electors who provided a 2529
program participant identification number instead of a residence 2530
address on the identification envelope and shall not inform the 2531
voting location manager of the names and voting residences of 2532
persons who have confidential voter registration records. Those 2533
identification envelopes shall be examined and processed as 2534
H. B. No. 687 Page 88
As Introduced

described in division (E) of this section. 2535

(C) When the board of elections determines that absent 2536

voter's ballots shall be processed and counted at the office of 2537
the board of elections or at another location designated by the 2538
board, special election officials shall be appointed by the 2539
board for that purpose having the same authority as is exercised 2540
by precinct election officials. The votes so cast shall be added 2541
to the vote totals by the board, and the absent voter's ballots 2542
shall be preserved separately by the board, in the same manner 2543
and for the same length of time as provided by section 3505.31 2544
of the Revised Code. 2545

(D) Each of the identification envelopes purporting to 2546

contain absent voter's ballots delivered to the voting location 2547
manager of the precinct or the special election official 2548
appointed by the board of elections shall be handled as follows: 2549

(1) The election officials shall compare the signature of 2550

the elector on the outside of the identification envelope with 2551
the signature of that elector on the elector's registration form 2552
and verify that the absent voter's ballot is eligible to be 2553
counted under section 3509.07 of the Revised Code. 2554

(2)(a) Any of the precinct officials may challenge the 2555

right of the elector named on the identification envelope to 2556
vote the absent voter's ballots upon the ground that the 2557
signature on the envelope is not the same as the elector's 2558
signature on the registration form, that the identification 2559
envelope statement of voter is incomplete, or upon any other of 2560
the grounds upon which the right of persons to vote may be 2561
lawfully challenged. 2562

(b) If the elector's name does not appear in the pollbook 2563
H. B. No. 687 Page 89
As Introduced

or poll list or signature pollbook, the precinct officials shall 2564

deliver the absent voter's ballots to the director of the board 2565
of elections to be examined and processed in the manner 2566
described in division (E) of this section. 2567

(3)(a) An identification envelope statement of voter shall 2568

be considered incomplete if it does not include all of the 2569
following: 2570

(i) The voter's name; 2571

(ii) The voter's residence address or, if the voter has a 2572
confidential voter registration record, as described in section 2573
111.44 of the Revised Code, the voter's program participant 2574
identification number; 2575

(iii) The voter's date of birth. The requirements of this 2576

division are satisfied if the voter provided a date of birth and 2577
any of the following is true: 2578

(I) The month and day of the voter's date of birth on the 2579
identification envelope statement of voter are not different 2580
from the month and day of the voter's date of birth contained in 2581
the statewide voter registration database. 2582

(II) The voter's date of birth contained in the statewide 2583

voter registration database is January 1, 1800. 2584

(III) The board of elections has found, by a vote of at 2585

least three of its members, that the voter has met the 2586
requirements of divisions (D)(3)(a)(i), (ii), (iv), and (v) of 2587
this section. 2588

(iv) The voter's signature; and 2589

(v) One of the following forms of identification: 2590

H. B. No. 687 Page 90
As Introduced

(I) The voter's driver's license number; 2591

(II) The last four digits of the voter's social security 2592
number; or 2593

(III) A copy of a current and valid photo identification, 2594

a military identification, or a current utility bill, bank 2595
statement, government check, paycheck, or other government 2596
document, other than a notice of voter registration mailed by a 2597
board of elections, that shows the voter's name and address. 2598

(b) If the election officials find that the identification 2599

envelope statement of voter is incomplete or that the 2600
information contained in that statement does not conform to the 2601
information contained in the statewide voter registration 2602
database concerning the voter, the election officials shall mail 2603
a written notice to the voter, informing the voter of the nature 2604
of the defect. The notice shall inform the voter that in order 2605
for the voter's ballot to be counted, the voter must may provide 2606
the necessary information to the board of elections in writing 2607
and on a form prescribed by the secretary of state not later 2608
than the seventh business day after the day of the election. The 2609
voter may deliver the form to the office of the board in person 2610
or by mail. If the voter provides the necessary information to 2611
the board of elections not later than the seventh day after the 2612
day of the election and the ballot is not successfully 2613
challenged on another basis, the voter's ballot shall be 2614
processed and counted in accordance with this section. 2615

(4) If no such challenge is made, or if such a challenge 2616

is made and not sustained, the voting location manager shall 2617
open the envelope without defacing the statement of voter and 2618
without mutilating the ballots in it, and shall remove the 2619
ballots contained in it and proceed to count them. 2620
H. B. No. 687 Page 91
As Introduced

(5)(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (D)(5)(b) 2621

of this section, the name of each person voting who is entitled 2622
to vote only an absent voter's presidential ballot shall be 2623
entered in a pollbook or poll list or signature pollbook 2624
followed by the words "Absentee Presidential Ballot." The name 2625
of each person voting an absent voter's ballot, other than such 2626
persons entitled to vote only a presidential ballot, shall be 2627
entered in the pollbook or poll list or signature pollbook and 2628
the person's registration card marked to indicate that the 2629
person has voted. 2630

(b) If the person voting has a confidential voter 2631

registration record, the person's registration card shall be 2632
marked to indicate that the person has voted, but the person's 2633
name shall not be entered in the pollbook or poll list or 2634
signature pollbook. 2635

(6) The date of such election shall also be entered on the 2636
elector's registration form. If any such challenge is made and 2637
sustained, the identification envelope of such elector shall not 2638
be opened, shall be endorsed "Not Counted" with the reasons the 2639
ballots were not counted, and shall be delivered to the board. 2640

(E)(1) When the board of elections receives absent voter's 2641

ballots from an elector who has provided a program participant 2642
identification number instead of a residence address on the 2643
identification envelope statement of voter, the director and the 2644
deputy director personally shall examine and process the 2645
identification envelope statement of voter in the manner 2646
prescribed in division (D) of this section. 2647

(2) If the director and the deputy director find that the 2648
identification envelope statement of voter is incomplete or that 2649
the information contained in that statement does not conform to 2650
H. B. No. 687 Page 92
As Introduced

the information contained in the statewide voter registration 2651

database concerning the voter or to the information contained in 2652
the voter's confidential voter registration record, the director 2653
and the deputy director shall mail a written notice to the voter 2654
informing the voter of the nature of the defect. The notice 2655
shall inform the voter that in order for the voter's ballot to 2656
be counted the voter must may provide the necessary information 2657
to the board of elections in writing and on a form prescribed by 2658
the secretary of state not later than the seventh business day 2659
after the day of the election. The voter may deliver the form to 2660
the office of the board in person or by mail. If the voter 2661
provides the necessary information to the board of elections not 2662
later than the seventh day after the day of the election and the 2663
ballot is not successfully challenged on another basis, the 2664
voter's ballot shall be counted in accordance with this section. 2665

(3) The director or the deputy director may challenge the 2666
ballot on the ground that the signature on the envelope is not 2667
the same as the elector's signature on the registration form, 2668
that the identification envelope statement of voter is 2669
incomplete, or upon any other of the grounds upon which the 2670
right of persons to vote may be lawfully challenged. If such a 2671
challenge is made, the board of elections shall decide whether 2672
to sustain the challenge. 2673

(4) If neither the director nor the deputy director 2674

challenges the ballot, or if such a challenge is made and not 2675
sustained, the director and the deputy director shall open the 2676
envelope without defacing the statement of voter and without 2677
mutilating the ballots in it, shall remove the ballots contained 2678
in it, and shall transmit the ballots to the election officials 2679
to be counted with other absent voter's ballots from that 2680
precinct. 2681
H. B. No. 687 Page 93
As Introduced

(F) The board of elections may process absent voter's 2682

ballots before the time for counting those ballots, but the 2683
board shall not tabulate or count the votes on those ballots 2684
before that time. As used in this section and section 3511.11 of 2685
the Revised Code, processing an absent voter's ballot means any 2686
of the following: 2687

(1) Examining the identification envelope statement of 2688

voter in order to verify that the absent voter's ballot is 2689
eligible to be counted under section 3509.07 of the Revised 2690
Code; 2691

(2) Opening the identification envelope, if the absent 2692

voter's ballot is eligible to be counted; 2693

(3) Determining the validity of the absent voter's ballot 2694

under section 3509.07 of the Revised Code; 2695

(4) Preparing and sorting the absent voter's ballot for 2696
scanning by automatic tabulating equipment; 2697

(5) Scanning the absent voter's ballot by automatic 2698

tabulating equipment, if the equipment used by the board of 2699
elections permits an absent voter's ballot to be scanned without 2700
tabulating or counting the votes on the ballots scanned. 2701

(G) Special election officials, employees or members of 2702

the board of elections, or observers shall not disclose the 2703
count or any portion of the count of absent voter's ballots 2704
prior to the time of the closing of the polling places. No 2705
person shall recklessly disclose the count or any portion of the 2706
count of absent voter's ballots in such a manner as to 2707
jeopardize the secrecy of any individual ballot. 2708

(H)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (H)(2) of 2709

this section, observers may be appointed under section 3505.21 2710
H. B. No. 687 Page 94
As Introduced

of the Revised Code to witness the examination and opening of 2711

identification envelopes and the processing and counting of 2712
absent voters' ballots under this section. 2713

(2) Observers shall not be permitted to witness the 2714

examination and opening of identification envelopes returned by, 2715
and the processing and counting of absent voter's ballots cast 2716
by, electors who have confidential voter registration records in 2717
a manner that would permit the observers to learn the identities 2718
or residence addresses of those electors. 2719

Sec. 3509.07. If election officials find that any of the 2720

following are true concerning an absent voter's ballot or absent 2721
voter's presidential ballot and, if applicable, the person did 2722
not provide any required additional information to the board of 2723
elections not later than the seventh business day after the day 2724
of the election, as permitted under division (D)(3)(b) (D)(3) or 2725
(E)(2) of section 3509.06 of the Revised Code, the ballot shall 2726
not be accepted or counted: 2727

(A) The statement accompanying the ballot is incomplete as 2728

described in division (D)(3)(a) of section 3509.06 of the 2729
Revised Code or is insufficient; 2730

(B) The signatures do signature on the identification 2731

envelope statement of voter does not correspond with the 2732
person's registration signature;. 2733

(C) (B) The applicant is not a qualified elector in the 2734

precinct;. 2735

(D) (C) The ballot envelope contains more than one ballot 2736
of any one kind, or any voted ballot that the elector is not 2737
entitled to vote;. 2738

(E) Stub A is detached from the absent voter's ballot or 2739

H. B. No. 687 Page 95
As Introduced

absent voter's presidential ballot; or 2740

(F) The elector has not included with the elector's ballot 2741
any identification required under section 3509.05 or 3511.09 of 2742
the Revised Code.(D) The person has already cast a ballot in the 2743
election. 2744

The vote of any absent voter may be challenged for cause 2745
in the same manner as other votes are challenged, and the 2746
election officials shall determine the legality of that ballot. 2747
Every ballot not counted shall be endorsed on its back "Not 2748
Counted" with the reasons the ballot was not counted, and shall 2749
be enclosed and returned to or retained by the board of 2750
elections along with the contested ballots. 2751

Sec. 3509.09. (A) The poll list or signature pollbook for 2752
each precinct shall identify each registered elector in that 2753
precinct who has requested an absent voter's ballot for that 2754
election, other than an elector who has a confidential voter 2755
registration record, as described in section 111.44 of the 2756
Revised Code. 2757

(B)(1) If a registered elector appears to vote in that 2758

precinct and that elector has requested an absent voter's ballot 2759
for that election but the poll list or signature pollbook does 2760
not indicate that the director has not received a sealed 2761
identification envelope purporting to contain that elector's 2762
voted absent voter's ballots for that election, the elector 2763
shall be permitted to cast a provisional regular ballot under 2764
section 3505.181 of the Revised Code in that precinct on the day 2765
of that election. 2766

(2) If a registered elector appears to vote in that 2767

precinct and that elector has requested an absent voter's ballot 2768
H. B. No. 687 Page 96
As Introduced

for that election and, but the poll list or signature pollbook 2769
indicates that the director has received a sealed identification 2770
envelope purporting to contain that elector's voted absent 2771
voter's ballots for that election, the elector shall be 2772
permitted to cast a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of 2773
the Revised Code in that precinct on the day of that election. 2774

(C)(1) In counting absent voter's ballots under section 2775

3509.06 of the Revised Code, the board of elections election 2776
officials shall compare the signature of each elector from whom 2777
the director has received a sealed identification envelope 2778
purporting to contain that elector's voted absent voter's 2779
ballots for that election to the signature on that elector's 2780
registration form. Except as otherwise provided in division (C) 2781
(3) of this section, if the board of elections determines that 2782
the absent voter's ballot in the sealed identification envelope 2783
is valid, it shall be counted. If the board of elections 2784
determines that the signature on the sealed identification 2785
envelope purporting to contain the elector's voted absent 2786
voter's ballot does not match the signature on the elector's 2787
registration form, the ballot shall be set aside and the board 2788
shall examine, during the time prior to the beginning of the 2789
official canvass, the poll list or signature pollbook from the 2790
each precinct in which the elector is registered to vote to 2791
determine if the whether any elector from whom the board has 2792
received a sealed identification envelope purporting to contain 2793
the elector's voted absent voter's ballot for that election also 2794
cast a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised 2795
Code in that precinct on the day of the election. 2796

(2) The If such an elector cast a regular ballot on the 2797

day of the election, the absent voter's ballot shall not be 2798
counted. If such an elector cast a provisional ballot on the day 2799
H. B. No. 687 Page 97
As Introduced

of the election, the board of elections shall count the 2800

provisional ballot, instead of the absent voter's ballot, if 2801
both of the following apply: 2802

(a) The board of elections determines that the signature 2803

of the elector on the outside of the identification envelope in 2804
which the absent voter's ballots are enclosed does not match the 2805
signature of the elector on is not the elector's registration 2806
form signature; 2807

(b) The elector cast a provisional ballot in the precinct 2808

on the day of the election. 2809

(3) If the board of elections does not receive the sealed 2810
identification envelope purporting to contain the elector's 2811
voted absent voter's ballot by the applicable deadline 2812
established under section 3509.05 of the Revised Code, the 2813
provisional ballot cast under section 3505.181 of the Revised 2814
Code in that precinct on the day of the election shall be 2815
counted as valid, if that provisional ballot is otherwise 2816
determined to be valid pursuant to section 3505.183 of the 2817
Revised Code. 2818

(D) If the board of elections counts a provisional ballot 2819

under division (C)(2) or (3) of this section, the returned 2820
identification envelope of that elector shall not be opened, and 2821
the ballot within that envelope shall not be counted. The 2822
identification envelope shall be endorsed "Not Counted" with the 2823
reason the ballot was not counted. 2824

Sec. 3511.09. Upon receiving uniformed services or 2825

overseas absent voter's ballots, the elector shall cause the 2826
questions on the face of the identification envelope to be 2827
answered, and, by writing the elector's usual signature in the 2828
H. B. No. 687 Page 98
As Introduced

proper place on the identification envelope, the elector shall 2829

declare under penalty of election falsification that the answers 2830
to those questions are true and correct to the best of the 2831
elector's knowledge and belief. Then, the elector shall note 2832
whether there are any voting marks on the ballot. If there are 2833
any voting marks, the ballot shall be returned immediately to 2834
the board of elections; otherwise, the elector shall cause the 2835
ballot to be marked, folded separately so as to conceal the 2836
markings on it, deposited in the identification envelope, and 2837
securely sealed in the identification envelope. The elector then 2838
shall sign the identification envelope not later than seven- 2839
thirty p.m. eastern standard time on the day of the election and 2840
cause the identification envelope to be placed within the return 2841
envelope, sealed in the return envelope, and mailed to the 2842
director of the board of elections to whom it is addressed. The 2843
ballot shall be submitted for mailing not later than 12:01 a.m. 2844
at the place where the voter completes the ballot, on the date 2845
of the election. If the elector does not provide the elector's 2846
driver's license number or the last four digits of the elector's 2847
social security number on the statement of voter on the 2848
identification envelope, the elector also shall include in the 2849
return envelope with the identification envelope a copy of the 2850
elector's current valid photo identification, a copy of a 2851
military identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, 2852
bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government 2853
document, other than a notice of voter registration mailed by a 2854
board of elections under section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, 2855
that shows the name and address of the elector. Each elector who 2856
will be outside the United States on the day of the election 2857
shall check the box on the return envelope indicating this fact 2858
and shall mail the return envelope to the director prior to the 2859
close of the polls on election day. 2860
H. B. No. 687 Page 99
As Introduced

Every uniformed services or overseas absent voter's ballot 2861

identification envelope shall be accompanied by the following 2862
statement in boldface capital letters: WHOEVER COMMITS ELECTION 2863
FALSIFICATION IS GUILTY OF A FELONY OF THE FIFTH DEGREE. 2864

Sec. 3511.11. (A) Upon receipt of any return envelope 2865

bearing the designation "Official Election Uniformed Services or 2866
Overseas Absent Voter's Ballot" prior to the eleventh day after 2867
the day of any election, the director of the board of elections 2868
shall open it but shall not open the identification envelope 2869
contained in it. If, upon so opening the return envelope, the 2870
director finds ballots in it that are not enclosed in and 2871
properly sealed in the identification envelope, the director 2872
shall not look at the markings upon the ballots and shall 2873
promptly place them in the identification envelope and promptly 2874
seal it. If, upon so opening the return envelope, the director 2875
finds that ballots are enclosed in the identification envelope 2876
but that it is not properly sealed, the director shall not look 2877
at the markings upon the ballots and shall promptly seal the 2878
identification envelope. 2879

(B) Uniformed services or overseas absent voter's ballots 2880

delivered to received at the director office of the board of 2881
elections or at a ballot drop box in the county described in 2882
section 3509.052 of the Revised Code not later than the close of 2883
the polls on election day shall be processed and counted in the 2884
manner provided in section 3509.06 of the Revised Code. 2885

(C) A return envelope is not required to be postmarked in 2886

order for a uniformed services or overseas absent voter's ballot 2887
contained in it to be valid. Except as otherwise provided in 2888
this division, whether or not the return envelope containing the 2889
ballot is postmarked, contains a late postmark, or contains an 2890
H. B. No. 687 Page 100
As Introduced

illegible postmark, a uniformed services or overseas absent 2891

voter's ballot that is received by mail after the close of the 2892
polls on election day through the tenth day after the election 2893
day shall be processed and counted on the eleventh day after the 2894
election day at the office of the board of elections in the 2895
manner provided in section 3509.06 of the Revised Code if the 2896
voter signed the identification envelope by the time specified 2897
in section 3511.09 of the Revised Code. However, if a return 2898
envelope containing a uniformed services or overseas absent 2899
voter's ballot is so received and so indicates, but the 2900
identification envelope in it is signed after the close of the 2901
polls on election day, the uniformed services or overseas absent 2902
voter's ballot shall not be counted. 2903

(D) The following types of uniformed services or overseas 2904

absent voter's ballots shall not be counted: 2905

(1) Uniformed services or overseas absent voter's ballots 2906

contained in return envelopes that bear the designation 2907
"Official Election Uniformed Services or Overseas Absent Voter's 2908
Ballots," that are received by the director after the close of 2909
the polls on the day of the election, and that contain an 2910
identification envelope that is signed after the time specified 2911
in section 3511.09 of the Revised Code; 2912

(2) Uniformed services or overseas absent voter's ballots 2913

contained in return envelopes that bear that designation and 2914
that are received after the tenth day following the election. 2915

The uncounted ballots shall be preserved in their 2916

identification envelopes unopened until the time provided by 2917
section 3505.31 of the Revised Code for the destruction of all 2918
other ballots used at the election for which ballots were 2919
provided, at which time they shall be destroyed. 2920
H. B. No. 687 Page 101
As Introduced

Sec. 3599.11. (A) No person shall knowingly register or 2921

make application or attempt to register in a precinct in which 2922
the person is not a qualified voter; or knowingly aid or abet 2923
any person to so register; or attempt to register or knowingly 2924
induce or attempt to induce any person to so register; or 2925
knowingly impersonate another or write or assume the name of 2926
another, real or fictitious, in registering or attempting to 2927
register; or by false statement or other unlawful means procure, 2928
aid, or attempt to procure the erasure or striking out on the 2929
register or duplicate list of the name of a qualified elector 2930
therein; or knowingly induce or attempt to induce a registrar or 2931
other election authority to refuse registration in a precinct to 2932
an elector thereof; or knowingly swear or affirm falsely upon a 2933
lawful examination by or before any registering officer; or 2934
make, print, or issue any false or counterfeit certificate of 2935
registration or knowingly alter any certificate of registration. 2936

No person shall knowingly register under more than one 2937

name or knowingly induce any person to so register. 2938

No person shall knowingly make any false statement on any 2939

form for registration or change of registration or upon any 2940
application or return envelope for an absent voter's ballot. 2941

Whoever violates this division is guilty of a felony of 2942

the fifth degree. 2943

(B)(1) No person who helps another person register outside 2944

an official voter registration place shall knowingly destroy, or 2945
knowingly help another person to destroy, any completed 2946
registration form. 2947

Whoever violates this division is guilty of election 2948

falsification, a felony of the fifth degree. 2949
H. B. No. 687 Page 102
As Introduced

(2)(a) No person who helps another person register outside 2950

an official voter registration place shall knowingly fail to 2951
return any registration form entrusted to that person to any 2952
board of elections or the office of the secretary of state 2953
within ten days after that regsitration registration form is 2954
completed, or on or before the thirtieth day before the 2955
election, whichever day is earlier, unless the registration form 2956
is received by the person within twenty-four hours of the 2957
thirtieth day before the election, in which case the person 2958
shall return the registration form to any board of elections or 2959
the office of the secretary of state within ten days of its 2960
receipt. 2961

Whoever violates this division is guilty of election 2962

falsification, a felony of the fifth degree, unless the person 2963
has not previously been convicted of a violation of this 2964
division (B)(2)(a), (B)(2)(b), (C)(1), or (C)(2) of this 2965
section, the violation of this division does not cause any 2966
person to miss any voter registration deadline with regard to 2967
any election, and the number of voter registration forms that 2968
the violator has failed to properly return does not exceed 2969
forty-nine, in which case the violator is guilty of a 2970
misdemeanor of the first degree. 2971

(b) Subject to division (C)(2) of this section, no person 2972

who helps another person register outside an official 2973
registration place shall knowingly return any registration form 2974
entrusted to that person to any location other than any board of 2975
elections or the office of the secretary of state. 2976

Whoever violates this division is guilty of election 2977

falsification, a felony of the fifth degree, unless the person 2978
has not previously been convicted of a violation of division (B) 2979
H. B. No. 687 Page 103
As Introduced

(2)(a), (B)(2)(b), (C)(1), or (C)(2) of this section, the 2980

violation of this division does not cause any person to miss any 2981
voter registration deadline with regard to any election, and the 2982
number of voter registration forms that the violator has failed 2983
to properly return does not exceed forty-nine, in which case the 2984
violator is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. 2985

(C)(1) No person who receives compensation for registering 2986

a voter shall knowingly fail to return any registration form 2987
entrusted to that person to any board of elections or the office 2988
of the secretary of state within ten days after that voter 2989
registration form is completed, or on or before the thirtieth 2990
day before the election, whichever is earlier, unless the 2991
registration form is received by the person within twenty-four 2992
hours of the thirtieth day before the election, in which case 2993
the person shall return the registration form to any board of 2994
elections or the office of the secrtary of state within ten days 2995
of its receipt. 2996

Whoever violates this division is guilty of election 2997

falsification, a felony of the fifth degree, unless the person 2998
has not previously been convicted of a violation of division (B) 2999
(2)(a), (B)(2)(b), (C)(1), or (C)(2) of this section, the 3000
violation of this division does not cause any person to miss any 3001
voter registration deadline with regard to any election, and the 3002
number of voter registration forms that the violator has failed 3003
to properly return does not exceed forty-nine, in which case the 3004
violator is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. 3005

(2) No person who receives compensation for registering a 3006

voter shall knowingly return any registration form entrusted to 3007
that person to any location other than any board of elections or 3008
the office of the secretary of state. 3009
H. B. No. 687 Page 104
As Introduced

Whoever violates this division is guilty of election 3010

falsification, a felony of the fifth degree, unless the person 3011
has not previously been convicted of a violation of division (B) 3012
(2)(a), (B)(2)(b), (C)(1), or (C)(2) of this section, the 3013
violation of this division does not cause any person to miss any 3014
voter registration deadline with regard to any election, and the 3015
number of voter registration forms that the violator has failed 3016
to properly return does not exceed forty-nine, in which case the 3017
violator is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. 3018

(D) As used in division (C) of this section, "registering 3019

a voter" includes any effort, for compensation, to provide voter 3020
registration forms or to assist persons in completing or 3021
returning those forms. 3022

Section 2. That existing sections 3501.05, 3501.10, 3023

3501.11, 3501.22, 3501.29, 3503.09, 3503.10, 3503.14, 3503.16, 3024
3503.19, 3503.20, 3503.21, 3503.28, 3505.18, 3505.181, 3505.182, 3025
3505.183, 3509.02, 3509.05, 3509.051, 3509.06, 3509.07, 3509.09, 3026
3511.09, 3511.11, and 3599.11 of the Revised Code are hereby 3027
repealed. 3028

Section 3. That section 3503.29 of the Revised Code is 3029

hereby repealed. 3030

Section 4. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the 3031

Revised Code, as soon as possible after the close of voter 3032
registration before the general election to be held on November 3033
3, 2020, the boards of elections shall mail absent voter's 3034
ballots for that election to every registered elector in this 3035
state, return postage prepaid. 3036

Section 5. Any funds received by the Secretary of State 3037

through the "Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020," Pub. L. 3038
H. B. No. 687 Page 105
As Introduced

No. 116-93 or the "Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic 3039

Security (CARES) Act," Pub. L. No. 116-136 shall be used in 3040
accordance with this act. This provision applies to all 3041
appropriations made to appropriation item 050616, Help America 3042
Vote Act (HAVA), related to funding received through the 3043
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 or the CARES Act and 3044
deposited into the Help America Vote Act Fund (Fund 3AS0) for 3045
the biennium ending June 30, 2021. The Secretary of State shall 3046
use that funding for purposes including, but not limited to, the 3047
following: 3048

(A) To provide a one-time incentive bonus payment to 3049

precinct election officials and temporary employees of the 3050
boards of elections for the general election to be held on 3051
November 3, 2020, in a manner to be determined in conjunction 3052
with the boards of elections; 3053

(B) To provide personal protective equipment for election 3054

officials, and to pay for cleaning and modifying the layout of 3055
polling places and the offices of the boards of elections to 3056
provide for adequate social distancing; 3057

(C) To provide any additional electronics or related 3058

equipment needed to handle increased volumes of mail that may 3059
result during the general election to be held on November 3, 3060
2020; 3061

(D) To pay for return postage on absent voter's ballots 3062

under Section 4 of this act; 3063

(E) To reimburse the boards of elections for the cost of 3064

printing additional absent voter's ballots for the general 3065
election to be held on November 3, 2020, in anticipation of 3066
greater use of absent voting than in past elections. 3067
H. B. No. 687 Page 106
As Introduced

Section 6. The General Assembly, applying the principle 3068

stated in division (B) of section 1.52 of the Revised Code that 3069
amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of 3070
simultaneous operation, finds that the following sections, 3071
presented in this act as composites of the sections as amended 3072
by the acts indicated, are the resulting versions of the 3073
sections in effect prior to the effective date of the sections 3074
as presented in this act: 3075

Section 3501.29 of the Revised Code as amended by both 3076

S.B. 10 and S.B. 109 of the 130th General Assembly. 3077

Section 3503.21 of the Revised Code as amended by both 3078

H.B. 359 and S.B. 63 of the 131st General Assembly. 3079

Section 3505.18 of the Revised Code as amended by S.B. 47, 3080

S.B. 109, and S.B. 216, all of the 130th General Assembly. 3081