Chapter 3503 | Voters - Qualifications; Registration

Section 3503.01 | Qualifications of electors - precinct assignment for school elections.

• Effective: September 12, 2008
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 350 - 127th General Assembly

(A) Every citizen of the United States who is of the age of eighteen years or over and who has been a resident of the state thirty days immediately preceding the election at which the citizen offers to vote, is a resident of the county and precinct in which the citizen offers to vote, and has been registered to vote for thirty days, has the qualifications of an elector and may vote at all elections in the precinct in which the citizen resides.

(B) When only a portion of a precinct is included within the boundaries of an election district, the board of elections may assign the electors residing in such portion of a precinct to the nearest precinct or portion of a precinct within the boundaries of such election district for the purpose of voting at any special election held in such district. In any election in which only a part of the electors in a precinct is qualified to vote, the board may assign voters in such part to an adjoining precinct. Such assignment may be made to an adjoining precinct in another county with the consent and approval of the board of elections of such other county if the number of voters assigned to vote in a precinct in another county is two hundred or less.

The board shall notify all such electors so assigned, at least ten days prior to the holding of any such election, of the location of the polling place where they are entitled to vote at such election.

As used in division (B) of this section, "election district" means a school district, municipal corporation, township, or other political subdivision that includes territory in more than one precinct or any other district or authority that includes territory in more than one precinct and that is authorized by law to place an issue on the ballot at a special election.

Section 3503.011 | Qualifications of electors for primary elections.

• Effective: March 23, 1981
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1062 - 113th General Assembly

At a primary election every qualified elector who is or will be on the day of the next general election eighteen or more years of age, and who is a member of or is affiliated with the political party whose primary election ballot he desires to vote, shall be entitled to vote such ballot at the primary election.

Section 3503.02 | Residence determination rules.

• Effective: February 25, 2014
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 109 - 130th General Assembly

All registrars and precinct election officials, in determining the residence of a person offering to register or vote, shall be governed by the following rules:

(A) That place shall be considered the residence of a person in which the person's habitation is fixed and to which, whenever the person is absent, the person has the intention of returning.

(B) A person shall not be considered to have lost the person's residence who leaves the person's home and goes into another state or county of this state, for temporary purposes only, with the intention of returning.

(C) A person shall not be considered to have gained a residence in any county of this state into which the person comes for temporary purposes only, without the intention of making such county the permanent place of abode.

(D) The place where the family of a married person resides shall be considered to be the person's place of residence; except that when the spouses have separated and live apart, the place where such a spouse resides the length of time required to entitle a person to vote shall be considered to be the spouse's place of residence.

(E) If a person removes to another state with the intention of making such state the person's residence, the person shall be considered to have lost the person's residence in this state.

(F) Except as otherwise provided in division (G) of this section, if a person removes from this state and continuously resides outside this state for a period of four years or more, the person shall be considered to have lost the person's residence in this state, notwithstanding the fact that the person may entertain an intention to return at some future period.

(G)(1) If a person removes from this state to engage in the services of the United States government, the person shall not be considered to have lost the person's residence in this state, and likewise should the person enter the employment of the state, the place where such person resided at the time of the person's removal shall be considered to be the person's place of residence.

(2) If a person removes from this state to a location outside of the United States and the person does not become a resident of another state, the person shall not be considered to have lost the person's residence in this state. The place where the person resided at the time of the person's removal shall be considered to be the person's place of residence.

(3) If a person is eligible to vote in this state under division (D)(2) of section 3511.011 of the Revised Code, the place where the person's parent or legal guardian resided in this state prior to that parent or legal guardian's removal to a location outside of the United States shall be considered to be the person's place of residence.

(4) If an address that is considered to be a person's place of residence under division (G) of this section ceases to be a recognized residential address, the board of elections shall assign an address to the applicable person for voting purposes.

(H) If a person goes into another state and while there exercises the right of a citizen by voting, the person shall be considered to have lost the person's residence in this state.

(I) If a person does not have a fixed place of habitation, but has a shelter or other location at which the person has been a consistent or regular inhabitant and to which the person has the intention of returning, that shelter or other location shall be deemed the person's residence for the purpose of registering to vote.

Section 3503.03 | Residence for soldiers in national home for such soldiers.

• Effective: August 22, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly

Infirm or disabled soldiers who are inmates of a national home for such soldiers, who are citizens of the United States and have resided in this state thirty days immediately preceding any election, and who are otherwise qualified as to age and residence within the county and township shall have their lawful residence in the county and township in which such home is located.

Section 3503.04 | Residence for inmates of a public or private institution.

• Effective: August 22, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly

Persons who are inmates of a public or private institution who are citizens of the United States and have resided in this state thirty days immediately preceding the election, and who are otherwise qualified as to age and residence within the county shall have their lawful residence in the county, city, village and township in which said institution is located provided, that the lawful residence of a qualified elector who is an inmate in such an institution for temporary treatment only, shall be the residence from which he entered such institution.

Section 3503.06 | Registration as elector - circulation or signing of petition.

• Effective: June 21, 2013
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 47 - 130th General Assembly

(A) No person shall be entitled to vote at any election, unless the person is registered as an elector and will have resided in the county and precinct where the person is registered for at least thirty days at the time of the next election.

(B) No person shall be entitled to sign any petition, unless the person is registered as an elector and resides in a precinct in which the candidacy or issue that is the subject of the petition will appear on the ballot.

(C)(1)(a) Except for a nominating petition for presidential electors, no person shall be entitled to circulate any petition unless the person is a resident of this state and is at least eighteen years of age.

(b) No person shall be entitled to circulate a nominating petition for presidential electors unless the person is at least eighteen years of age.

(2) All election officials, in determining the residence of a person circulating a petition under division (C)(1) of this section, shall be governed by the following rules:

(a) That place shall be considered the residence of a person in which the person's habitation is fixed and to which, whenever the person is absent, the person has the intention of returning.

(b) A person shall not be considered to have lost the person's residence who leaves the person's home and goes into another state for temporary purposes only, with the intention of returning.

(c) A person shall not be considered to have gained a residence in any county of this state into which the person comes for temporary purposes only, without the intention of making that county the permanent place of abode.

(d) If a person removes to another state with the intention of making that state the person's residence, the person shall be considered to have lost the person's residence in this state.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(2)(f) of this section, if a person removes from this state and continuously resides outside this state for a period of four years or more, the person shall be considered to have lost the person's residence in this state, notwithstanding the fact that the person may entertain an intention to return at some future period.

(f) If a person removes from this state to engage in the services of the United States government, the person shall not be considered to have lost the person's residence in this state during the period of that service, and likewise should the person enter the employment of the state, the place where that person resided at the time of the person's removal shall be considered to be the person's place of residence.

(g) If a person goes into another state and, while there, exercises the right of a citizen by voting, the person shall be considered to have lost the person's residence in this state.

Section 3503.07 | Qualification for registration.

• Effective: March 23, 1972
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 460 - 109th General Assembly

Each person who will be of the age of eighteen years or more at the next ensuing November election, who is a citizen of the United States, and who, if he continues to reside in the precinct until the next election, will at that time have fulfilled all the requirements as to length of residence to qualify him as an elector shall, unless otherwise disqualified, be entitled to be registered as an elector in such precinct. When once registered, an elector shall not be required to register again unless his registration is canceled.

Section 3503.08 | Registration equipment, supplies and rules.

• Effective: May 31, 1977
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 125 - 112th General Assembly

The board of elections shall provide such printed forms, blanks, supplies, and equipment and prescribe such reasonable rules as are necessary to carry out sections 3503.06 to 3503.32 of the Revised Code.

Section 3503.09 | Electronic transfer of voter registration database changes.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

(A)(1) The secretary of state shall adopt rules for the electronic transmission by boards of elections, designated agencies, offices of deputy registrars of motor vehicles, public high schools and vocational schools, public libraries, and offices of county treasurers, where applicable, of name and residence changes for voter registration records in the statewide voter registration database.

(2) The secretary of state shall adopt rules for the purpose of improving the speed of processing new voter registrations that permit information from a voter registration application received by a designated agency or an office of deputy registrar of motor vehicles to be made available electronically, in addition to requiring the original voter registration application to be transmitted to the applicable board of elections under division (E)(2) of section 3503.10 or section 3503.11 of the Revised Code.

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

(1) Prohibit any direct electronic connection between a designated agency, office of deputy registrar of motor vehicles, public high school or vocational school, public library, or office of a county treasurer and the statewide voter registration database;

(2) Require any updated voter registration information to be verified by the secretary of state or a board of elections before the information is added to the statewide voter registration database for the purpose of modifying an existing voter registration;

(3) Require each designated agency or office of deputy registrar of motor vehicles that transmits voter registration information electronically to transmit an identifier for data relating to each new voter registration that shall be used by the secretary of state or a board of elections to match the electronic data to the original voter registration application.

Section 3503.10 | Voter registration programs.

• Effective: September 26, 2003
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 95 - 125th General Assembly

(A) Each designated agency shall designate one person within that agency to serve as coordinator for the voter registration program within the agency and its departments, divisions, and programs. The designated person shall be trained under a program designed by the secretary of state and shall be responsible for administering all aspects of the voter registration program for that agency as prescribed by the secretary of state. The designated person shall receive no additional compensation for performing such duties.

(B) Every designated agency, public high school and vocational school, public library, and office of a county treasurer shall provide in each of its offices or locations voter registration applications and assistance in the registration of persons qualified to register to vote, in accordance with this chapter.

(C) Every designated agency shall distribute to its applicants, prior to or in conjunction with distributing a voter registration application, a form prescribed by the secretary of state that includes all of the following:

(1) The question, "Do you want to register to vote or update your current voter registration?"--followed by boxes for the applicant to indicate whether the applicant would like to register or decline to register to vote, and the statement, highlighted in bold print, "If you do not check either box, you will be considered to have decided not to register to vote at this time.";

(2) If the agency provides public assistance, the statement, "Applying to register or declining to register to vote will not affect the amount of assistance that you will be provided by this agency.";

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

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

(D) Each designated agency shall distribute a voter registration form prescribed by the secretary of state to each applicant with each application for service or assistance, and with each written application or form for recertification, renewal, or change of address.

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

(1) Have employees trained to administer the voter registration program in order to provide to each applicant who wishes to register to vote and who accepts assistance, the same degree of assistance with regard to completion of the voter registration application as is provided by the agency with regard to the completion of its own form;

(2) Accept completed voter registration applications, voter registration change of residence forms, and voter registration change of name forms, regardless of whether the application or form was distributed by the designated agency, for transmittal to the office of the board of elections in the county in which the agency is located. Each designated agency and the appropriate board of elections shall establish a method by which the voter registration applications and other voter registration forms are transmitted to that board of elections within five days after being accepted by the agency.

(3) If the designated agency is one that is primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities under a state-funded program, and that agency provides services to a person with disabilities at a person's home, provide the services described in divisions (E)(1) and (2) of this section at the person's home;

(4) Keep as confidential, except as required by the secretary of state for record-keeping purposes, the identity of an agency through which a person registered to vote or updated the person's voter registration records, and information relating to a declination to register to vote made in connection with a voter registration application issued by a designated agency.

(F) The secretary of state shall prepare and transmit written instructions on the implementation of the voter registration program within each designated agency, public high school and vocational school, public library, and office of a county treasurer. The instructions shall include directions as follows:

(1) That each person designated to assist with voter registration maintain strict neutrality with respect to a person's political philosophies, a person's right to register or decline to register, and any other matter that may influence a person's decision to register or not register to vote;

(2) That each person designated to assist with voter registration not seek to influence a person's decision to register or not register to vote, not display or demonstrate any political preference or party allegiance, and not make any statement to a person or take any action the purpose or effect of which is to lead a person to believe that a decision to register or not register has any bearing on the availability of services or benefits offered, on the grade in a particular class in school, or on credit for a particular class in school;

(3) Regarding when and how to assist a person in completing the voter registration application, what to do with the completed voter registration application or voter registration update form, and when the application must be transmitted to the appropriate board of elections;

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

(5) Regarding whom to contact to obtain answers to questions about voter registration forms and procedures.

(G) If the voter registration activity is part of an in-class voter registration program in a public high school or vocational school, whether prescribed by the secretary of state or independent of the secretary of state, the board of education shall do all of the following:

(1) Establish a schedule of school days and hours during these days when the person designated to assist with voter registration shall provide voter registration assistance;

(2) Designate a person to assist with voter registration from the public high school's or vocational school's staff;

(3) Make voter registration applications and materials available, as outlined in the voter registration program established by the secretary of state pursuant to section 3501.05 of the Revised Code;

(4) Distribute the statement, "applying to register or declining to register to vote will not affect or be a condition of your receiving a particular grade in or credit for a school course or class, participating in a curricular or extracurricular activity, receiving a benefit or privilege, or participating in a program or activity otherwise available to pupils enrolled in this school district's schools.";

(5) Establish a method by which the voter registration application and other voter registration forms are transmitted to the board of elections within five days after being accepted by the public high school or vocational school.

(H) Any person employed by the designated agency, public high school or vocational school, public library, or office of a county treasurer may be designated to assist with voter registration pursuant to this section. The designated agency, public high school or vocational school, public library, or office of a county treasurer shall provide the designated person, and make available such space as may be necessary, without charge to the county or state.

(I) The secretary of state shall prepare and cause to be displayed in a prominent location in each designated agency a notice that identifies the person designated to assist with voter registration, the nature of that person's duties, and where and when that person is available for assisting in the registration of voters.

A designated agency may furnish additional supplies and services to disseminate information to increase public awareness of the existence of a person designated to assist with voter registration in every designated agency.

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

(K) Each public library and office of the county treasurer shall establish a method by which voter registration forms are transmitted to the board of elections within five days after being accepted by the public library or office of the county treasurer.

(L) The department of job and family services and its departments, divisions, and programs shall limit administration of the aspects of the voter registration program for the department to the requirements prescribed by the secretary of state and the requirements of this section and the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.

Section 3503.11 | Registering to vote with registrar of motor vehicles.

• Effective: March 20, 2014
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 200 - 130th General Assembly

When any person applies for a driver's license, commercial driver's license, a state of Ohio identification card issued under section 4507.50 of the Revised Code, or motorcycle operator's license or endorsement, or the renewal or duplicate of any license or endorsement under Chapter 4506. or 4507. of the Revised Code, the registrar of motor vehicles or deputy registrar shall offer the applicant the opportunity to register to vote or to update the applicant's voter registration. The registrar of motor vehicles or deputy registrar also shall make available to all other customers voter registration applications and change of residence and change of name, forms, but is not required to offer assistance to these customers in completing a voter registration application or other form.

The deputy registrar shall send any registration application or any change of residence or change of name form that was completed and submitted in paper form to the deputy registrar to the board of elections of the county in which the office of the deputy registrar is located, within five days after accepting the application or other form. The registrar shall send any completed registration application received at the bureau of motor vehicles headquarters location and any completed change of residence or change of name form processed electronically in systems or programs operated and maintained by the bureau of motor vehicles to the secretary of state within five days after accepting the application or other form.

The registrar shall collect from each deputy registrar through the reports filed under division (J) of section 4503.03 of the Revised Code and transmit to the secretary of state information on the number of voter registration applications and change of residence or change of name forms completed or declined, and any additional information required by the secretary of state to comply with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. No information relating to an applicant's decision to decline to register or update the applicant's voter registration at the office of the registrar or deputy registrar may be used for any purpose other than voter registration record-keeping required by the secretary of state, and all such information shall be kept confidential.

The secretary of state shall prescribe voter registration applications and change of residence and change of name forms for use by the bureau of motor vehicles. The bureau of motor vehicles shall supply all of its deputy registrars with a sufficient number of voter registration applications and change of residence and change of name forms.

Section 3503.111 | Registering in another county.

• Effective: January 1, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 300 - 120th General Assembly

The board of elections of any county shall register or change the registration of any person determined not to be a resident in that county under section 3503.02 of the Revised Code, who is a resident and a qualified elector of another county in this state, on behalf of the county of residence.

The director of any board of elections registering a person under this section shall send the completed registration form of that person to the director of the board of elections of the county of residence, who shall enter the form in the proper registration files and shall promptly send an acknowledgment notice as prescribed by the secretary of state to the registrant at the new address listed on the registration form.

Section 3503.12 | Duplicate registration - advertising registration opportunities - registration places to be accessible.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 281 - 134th General Assembly

All registrations shall be carefully checked, and in case any person is found to have registered more than once, the additional registration forms shall be canceled by the board of elections.

Six weeks prior to the day of a special, primary, or general election, the board shall publish notices in one or more newspapers of general circulation advertising the places, dates, times, methods of registration, and voter qualifications for registration.

The board shall establish a schedule or program to assure to the extent reasonably possible that, on or before November 1, 1980, all registration places shall be free of barriers that would impede the ingress and egress of persons with disabilities. Entrances shall be level or shall be provided with a nonskid ramp of not over eight per cent gradient, and doors shall be a minimum of thirty-two inches wide. Registration places located at polling places shall, however, comply with the requirements of section 3501.29 of the Revised Code for the elimination of barriers.

As used in this section, "persons with disabilities" means persons who have lost the use of one or both legs, one or both arms, or any combination thereof, or are blind or so severely impaired as to be unable to move about without the aid of crutches or a wheelchair.

Last updated March 10, 2023 at 12:11 PM

Section 3503.13 | Registration forms - records - electronic data processing system.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(2) of this section, voter registration forms submitted by applicants and the statewide voter registration database established under section 3503.15 of the Revised Code are public records subject to disclosure under section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

(2) None of the following are subject to disclosure under division (A)(1) of this section:

(a) An elector's full or partial social security number, driver's license or state identification card number, telephone number, or electronic mail address;

(b) A confidential voter registration record, as described in section 111.44 of the Revised Code;

(c) The address of a designated public service worker, if the designated public service worker has submitted a redaction request to the board of elections under section 149.45 of the Revised Code;

(d) Any other information that is prohibited from being disclosed by state or federal law.

(B) A board of elections may use a legible digitized signature list of voter signatures, copied from the signatures on the registration forms in a form and manner prescribed by the secretary of state, provided that the board includes the required voter registration information in the statewide voter registration database established under section 3503.15 of the Revised Code, and provided that the precinct election officials have computer printouts at the polls prepared in the manner required under section 3503.23 of the Revised Code.

Last updated September 6, 2023 at 11:11 AM

Section 3503.14 | Form and content of forms - inability of registrant to sign name.

• Effective: April 7, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 458 - 134th General Assembly

(A) The secretary of state shall prescribe the form and content of the registration, change of residence, and change of name forms used in this state. The forms shall meet the requirements of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and shall include spaces for all of the following:

(1) The voter's name;

(2) The voter's address;

(3) The current date;

(4) The voter's date of birth;

(5) The voter to provide at least one of the following forms of identification:

(a) The voter's Ohio driver's license or state identification card number;

(b) The last four digits of the voter's social security number.

(6) The voter's signature.

The registration form shall include a space on which the person registering an applicant shall sign the person's name and provide the person's address and a space on which the person registering an applicant shall name the employer who is employing that person to register the applicant.

Except for forms prescribed by the secretary of state under section 3503.11 of the Revised Code, the secretary of state shall permit boards of elections to produce forms that have subdivided spaces for each individual alphanumeric character of the information provided by the voter so as to accommodate the electronic reading and conversion of the voter's information to data and the subsequent electronic transfer of that data to the statewide voter registration database established under section 3503.15 of the Revised Code.

(B) None of the following persons who are registering an applicant in the course of that official's or employee's normal duties shall sign the person's name, provide the person's address, or name the employer who is employing the person to register an applicant on a form prepared under this section:

(1) An election official;

(2) A county treasurer;

(3) A deputy registrar of motor vehicles;

(4) An employee of a designated agency;

(5) An employee of a public high school;

(6) An employee of a public vocational school;

(7) An employee of a public library;

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

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

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

(11) An employee of an election official.

(C) Except as provided in section 3501.382 of the Revised Code, any applicant who is unable to sign the applicant's own name shall make an "X," if possible, which shall be certified by the signing of the name of the applicant by the person filling out the form, who shall add the person's own signature. If an applicant is unable to make an "X," the applicant shall indicate in some manner that the applicant desires to register to vote or to change the applicant's name or residence. The person registering the applicant shall sign the form and attest that the applicant indicated that the applicant desired to register to vote or to change the applicant's name or residence.

(D) No registration, change of residence, or change of name form shall be rejected solely on the basis that a person registering an applicant failed to sign the person's name or failed to name the employer who is employing that person to register the applicant as required under division (A) of this section.

(E) A voter registration application submitted online through the internet pursuant to section 3503.20 of the Revised Code is not required to contain a signature to be considered valid. The signature obtained under division (B) of that section shall be considered the applicant's signature for all election and signature-matching purposes.

(F) As used in this section, "registering an applicant" includes any effort, for compensation, to provide voter registration forms or to assist persons in completing or returning those forms.

Last updated January 19, 2023 at 10:31 AM

Section 3503.15 | Statewide voter registration database.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The secretary of state shall establish and maintain a statewide voter registration database that shall be administered by the office of data analytics and archives in the office of the secretary of state and made continuously available to each board of elections and to other agencies as authorized by law.

The statewide voter registration database shall be the official list of registered electors for all elections conducted in this state.

(B) The statewide voter registration database shall, at a minimum, include all of the following:

(1) An electronic network that connects all board of elections offices with the office of the secretary of state and with the offices of all other boards of elections;

(2) A computer program that harmonizes the records contained in the database with records maintained by each board of elections;

(3) An interactive computer program that allows access to the records contained in the database by each board of elections and by any persons authorized by the secretary of state to add, delete, modify, or print database records, and to conduct updates of the database;

(4) A search program capable of verifying registered electors and their registration information by name, driver's license or state identification card number, birth date, social security number, or current address;

(5) Safeguards and components to ensure that the integrity, security, and confidentiality of the voter registration information is maintained;

(6) Methods to retain canceled voter registration records for not less than five years after they are canceled and to record the reason for their cancellation.

(C) For each registered elector, the statewide voter registration database shall include all of the following information:

(1) The elector's name;

(2) The elector's birth date;

(3) The elector's current residence address;

(4) The elector's precinct number;

(5) The elector's Ohio driver's license or state identification card number, if available;

(6) The last four digits of the elector's social security number, if available;

(7) The elector's telephone number, if available;

(8) The elector's electronic mail address, if available;

(9)(a) The elector's voter registration date, which shall be determined based on the elector's most recent application to register to vote in this state, subject to division (C)(9)(b) of this section, as follows:

(i) In the case of an application delivered in person to a state or local office of a designated agency, the office of the registrar or any deputy registrar of motor vehicles, a public high school or vocational school, a public library, or the office of a county treasurer, the date stamped on the application upon receipt by the entity that transmits the application to the board of elections or the secretary of state;

(ii) In the case of an application delivered in person to a board of elections or the secretary of state, the date stamped on the application upon receipt by the board of elections or the secretary of state, as applicable;

(iii) In the case of an application delivered by mail to a board of elections or the secretary of state, the date the application is postmarked;

(iv) In the case of an application submitted through the online voter registration system established under section 3503.20 of the Revised Code, the date of the online submission;

(v) In the case of an application submitted to a board of elections by facsimile transmission or electronic mail under Chapter 3511. of the Revised Code, the date of the receipt of the transmission or electronic mail by the board of elections;

(vi) In the case of a provisional ballot affirmation that serves as an application to register to vote in future elections because the individual who cast the ballot is not registered to vote, the date the board of elections determines that the provisional ballot is invalid under section 3505.183 of the Revised Code.

(b) For purposes of determining an elector's voter registration date under division (C)(9)(a) of this section, all of the following apply:

(i) An elector's voter registration date shall not be during the period beginning on the day after the close of voter registration before an election and ending on the day of the election. If the date determined under division (C)(9)(a) of this section would be during that period, the voter registration date instead shall be the date on which the board of elections processes the application to register to vote after the day of the election.

(ii) A change of address or change of name form, including a provisional ballot affirmation that serves as a change of address or change of name form, is not considered an application to register to vote.

(iii) An application to register to vote that is submitted by an individual who is already registered to vote in this state is not considered an application to register to vote.

(10) The elector's voting history, including all of the following for each election in which the elector cast a ballot that was counted:

(a) The date of the election;

(b) If the election was a primary election, the political party whose ballot the elector cast at the primary election or an indication that the elector voted only on the questions and issues appearing on the ballot at a special election held on the day of the primary election;

(c) The type of ballot the elector cast.

(11) The elector's last activity date, which shall be determined in accordance with rules adopted by the secretary of state pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(12) Any other information the secretary of state requires to be included by rule adopted pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(D) Every day during the period beginning on the forty-sixth day before an election and ending on the eighty-first day after the day of the election, a board of elections shall create a daily record of its voter registration database as of four p.m. and shall transmit the daily record to the secretary of state in a secure manner prescribed by the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall archive the daily record and retain it for at least twenty-two months after the day of the election.

(E) The secretary of state shall adopt rules pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement this section and sections 3503.151 to 3503.153 of the Revised Code, including rules doing all of the following:

(1) Specifying the manner in which any voter registration records maintained by boards of elections in other data formats shall be converted for inclusion in the statewide voter registration database;

(2) Establishing a uniform method for entering voter registration records into the statewide voter registration database on an expedited basis, but not less than once per day, if new registration information is received, and for transmitting information securely to the secretary of state;

(3) Establishing a uniform method for purging canceled voter registration records from the statewide voter registration database in accordance with section 3503.21 of the Revised Code;

(4) Specifying the persons authorized to add, delete, modify, or print records contained in the statewide voter registration database and to make updates of that database;

(5) Establishing a process for annually auditing the information contained in the statewide voter registration database.

(F) A board of elections promptly shall purge a voter's name and voter registration information from the statewide voter registration database in accordance with the rules adopted by the secretary of state under division (E)(3) of this section after the cancellation of a voter's registration under section 3503.21 of the Revised Code.

(G) The secretary of state shall provide training in the operation of the statewide voter registration database to each board of elections and to any persons authorized by the secretary of state to add, delete, modify, or print database records, and to conduct updates of the database.

(H) A board of elections and any vendor with which it contracts to provide voter registration software or related services shall ensure that the board's voter registration system and practices comply with the requirements of this section and any rules adopted under this section.

Last updated August 31, 2023 at 3:46 PM

Section 3503.151 | Database maintenance.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The secretary of state, through the office of data analytics and archives, and the boards of elections shall maintain the accuracy of the statewide voter registration database in accordance with this section.

(B)(1) State agencies, including, but not limited to, the department of health, the bureau of motor vehicles, the department of job and family services, the department of medicaid, and the department of rehabilitation and corrections, shall provide any information and data to the secretary of state that is collected in the course of normal business and that is necessary to register to vote, to update an elector's registration, or to maintain the statewide voter registration database, except where prohibited by federal law or regulation. The department of health, the bureau of motor vehicles, the department of job and family services, the department of medicaid, and the department of rehabilitation and corrections shall provide that information and data to the secretary of state not later than the last day of each month. The secretary of state shall ensure that any information or data provided to the secretary of state that is confidential in the possession of the entity providing the data remains confidential while in the possession of the secretary of state. No public office, and no public official or employee, shall sell that information or data or use that information or data for profit.

(2) The secretary of state shall adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that establish, by mutual agreement with the bureau of motor vehicles, the content and format of the information and data the bureau of motor vehicles shall provide to the secretary of state under division (B)(1) of this section and the frequency with which the bureau shall provide that information and data.

(C)(1) The secretary of state shall enter into agreements to share information or data that is in the possession of the secretary of state with other states or groups of states, as the secretary of state considers necessary, in order to maintain the statewide voter registration database. Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(2) of this section, the secretary of state shall ensure that any information or data provided to the secretary of state that is confidential in the possession of the state providing the data remains confidential while in the possession of the secretary of state.

(2) The secretary of state may provide such otherwise confidential information or data to persons or organizations that are engaging in legitimate governmental purposes related to the maintenance of the statewide voter registration database. The secretary of state shall adopt rules pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code identifying the persons or organizations who may receive that information or data. The secretary of state shall not share that information or data with a person or organization not identified in those rules. The secretary of state shall ensure that a person or organization that receives confidential information or data under this division keeps the information or data confidential in the person's or organization's possession by, at a minimum, entering into a confidentiality agreement with the person or organization. Any confidentiality agreement entered into under this division shall include a requirement that the person or organization submit to the jurisdiction of this state in the event that the person or organization breaches the agreement.

(3) No person or entity that receives information or data under division (C) of this section shall sell the information or data or use the information or data for profit.

(D) The secretary of state shall regularly transmit to the boards of elections, to the extent permitted by state and federal law, the information and data the secretary of state receives under divisions (B) and (C) of this section that is necessary to do the following, in order to ensure that the accuracy of the statewide voter registration database is maintained on a regular basis in accordance with applicable state and federal law:

(1) Require the boards of elections to maintain the database in a manner that ensures that the name of each registered elector appears in the database, that only individuals who are not registered or eligible to vote are removed from the database, and that duplicate registrations are eliminated from the database;

(2) Require the boards of elections to make a reasonable effort to remove individuals who are not eligible to vote from the database;

(3) Establish safeguards to ensure that eligible electors are not removed in error from the database.

(E)(1) The secretary of state shall adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to establish a uniform method for addressing instances in which records contained in the statewide voter registration database do not conform with records maintained by an agency, state, or group of states described in division (B) or (C) of this section. That method shall prohibit an elector's voter registration from being canceled on the sole basis that the information in the registration record does not conform to records maintained by such an agency.

(2) Information provided under division (B) or (C) of this section for maintenance of the statewide voter registration database shall not be used to update the name or address of a registered elector. The name or address of a registered elector shall only be updated as a result of the elector's actions in filing a notice of change of name, change of address, or both.

(3) A board of elections shall contact a registered elector pursuant to the rules adopted under division (E)(1) of this section to verify the accuracy of the information in the statewide voter registration database regarding that elector if that information does not conform with information provided under division (B) or (C) of this section and the discrepancy would affect the elector's eligibility to cast a regular ballot.

Last updated September 12, 2023 at 9:11 AM

Section 3503.152 | Review of database for noncitizens.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

The secretary of state shall conduct an annual review of the statewide voter registration database to identify persons who appear not to be United States citizens, as follows:

(A) The secretary of state shall compare the information in the statewide voter registration database with the information the secretary of state obtains from the bureau of motor vehicles under section 3503.151 of the Revised Code to identify any person who does all of the following, in the following order:

(1) Submits documentation to the bureau of motor vehicles that indicates that the person is not a United States citizen;

(2) Registers to vote, submits a voter registration change of residence or change of name form, or votes in this state;

(3) Submits documentation to the bureau of motor vehicles that indicates that the person is not a United States citizen.

(B) The secretary of state shall send a written notice to each person identified under division (A) of this section, instructing the person either to confirm that the person is a United States citizen or to submit a completed voter registration cancellation form to the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall include a blank voter registration cancellation form with the notice. If the person fails to respond to the secretary of state in the manner described in division (C) or (D) of this section not later than thirty days after the notice is sent, the secretary of state promptly shall send the person a second notice and form.

(C) If, not later than sixty days after the first notice is sent, a person who is sent a notice under division (B) of this section responds to the secretary of state, confirming that the person is a United States citizen, the secretary of state shall take no action concerning the person's voter registration.

(D) If, not later than sixty days after the first notice was sent, a person who receives a notice under division (B) of this section sends a completed voter registration cancellation form to the secretary of state, the secretary of state shall instruct the board of elections of the county in which the person is registered to cancel the person's registration.

(E) If a person who is sent a second notice under division (B) of this section fails to respond to the secretary of state in the manner described in division (C) or (D) of this section not later than thirty days after the second notice is sent, the secretary of state shall refer the matter to the attorney general for further investigation and possible prosecution under section 3599.11, 3599.12, 3599.13, or any other applicable section of the Revised Code. If, after the thirtieth day after the second notice is sent, the person sends a completed voter registration cancellation form to the secretary of state, the secretary of state shall instruct the board of elections of the county in which the person is registered to cancel the person's registration and shall notify the attorney general of the cancellation.

(F) The secretary of state shall not conduct the review described in this section during the ninety days immediately preceding a primary or general election for federal office.

Last updated September 12, 2023 at 9:12 AM

Section 3503.153 | Database website.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The statewide voter registration database shall be made available on a web site of the office of the secretary of state as follows:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(2) of this section, the following information from the statewide voter registration database regarding a registered elector shall be made available on the web site:

(a) The elector's name;

(b) The elector's birth date;

(c) The elector's current residence address;

(d) The elector's precinct number;

(e) The elector's voter registration date, as described in division (C)(9) of section 3503.15 of the Revised Code;

(f) The elector's voting history, as described in division (C)(10) of section 3503.15 of the Revised Code;

(g) The elector's last activity date, as described in division (C)(11) of section 3503.15 of the Revised Code.

(2) During the thirty days before the day of a primary or general election, the web site interface of the statewide voter registration database shall permit an elector to search for the polling location at which that elector may cast a ballot.

(3) No information in the statewide voter registration database that is exempt from disclosure under division (A)(2) of section 3503.13 of the Revised Code shall be made available on the web site.

(B)(1) The secretary of state shall establish, by rule adopted under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, a process for boards of elections to notify the secretary of state of changes in the locations of precinct polling places for the purpose of updating the information made available on the secretary of state's web site under division (A)(2) of this section. Those rules shall require a board of elections, during the thirty days before the day of a primary or general election, to notify the secretary of state within one business day of any change to the location of a precinct polling place within the county.

(2) During the thirty days before the day of a primary or general election, not later than one business day after receiving a notification from a county pursuant to division (B)(1) of this section that the location of a precinct polling place has changed, the secretary of state shall update that information on the secretary of state's web site for the purpose of division (A)(2) of this section.

Last updated September 12, 2023 at 9:12 AM

Section 3503.16 | Change of address or name.

• Effective: April 7, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 458 - 134th General Assembly

(A) Except as otherwise provided in division (E) of section 111.44 of the Revised Code, whenever a registered elector changes the place of residence of that registered elector from one precinct to another within a county or from one county to another, or has a change of name, that registered elector shall report the change by delivering a change of residence or change of name form, whichever is appropriate, as prescribed by the secretary of state under section 3503.14 of the Revised Code to the state or local office of a designated agency, a public high school or vocational school, a public library, the office of the county treasurer, the office of the secretary of state, any office of the registrar or deputy registrar of motor vehicles, or any office of a board of elections in person or by a third person. Any voter registration, change of address, or change of name application, returned by mail, may be sent only to the secretary of state or the board of elections.

A registered elector also may update the registration of that registered elector by filing a change of residence or change of name form on the day of a special, primary, or general election at the polling place in the precinct in which that registered elector resides or at the board of elections or at another site designated by the board.

(B)(1)(a) Any registered elector who moves within a precinct on or prior to the day of a general, primary, or special election and has not filed a notice of change of residence with the board of elections may vote in that election by going to that registered elector's assigned polling place, completing and signing a notice of change of residence, showing photo identification, and casting a ballot.

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

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

(a) Appears at anytime during regular business hours on or after the twenty-eighth day prior to the election in which that registered elector wishes to vote or, if the election is held on the day of a presidential primary election, the twenty-fifth day prior to the election, through noon of the Saturday prior to the election at the office of the board of elections, appears at any time during regular business hours on the Monday prior to the election at the office of the board of elections, or appears on the day of the election at either of the following locations:

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

(ii) The office of the board of elections or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of the office of the board of elections.

(b) Completes and signs, under penalty of election falsification, the written affirmation on the provisional ballot envelope, which shall serve as a notice of change of residence or change of name, whichever is appropriate;

(c) Votes a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code at the polling place, at the office of the board of elections, or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of the office of the board of elections, whichever is appropriate, using the address to which that registered elector has moved or the name of that registered elector as changed, whichever is appropriate;

(d) Completes and signs, under penalty of election falsification, a statement attesting that that registered elector moved or had a change of name, whichever is appropriate, on or prior to the day of the election, has voted a provisional ballot at the polling place for the precinct in which that registered elector resides, at the office of the board of elections, or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of the office of the board of elections, whichever is appropriate, and will not vote or attempt to vote at any other location for that particular election.

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

(1) Appears at any time during regular business hours on or after the twenty-eighth day prior to the election in which that registered elector wishes to vote or, if the election is held on the day of a presidential primary election, the twenty-fifth day prior to the election, through noon of the Saturday prior to the election at the office of the board of elections or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of the office of the board of elections, appears during regular business hours on the Monday prior to the election at the office of the board of elections or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of the office of the board of elections, or appears on the day of the election at the office of the board of elections or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of the office of the board of elections;

(2) Completes and signs, under penalty of election falsification, the written affirmation on the provisional ballot envelope, which shall serve as a notice of change of residence;

(3) Votes a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code at the office of the board of elections or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of the office of the board of elections, using the address to which that registered elector has moved;

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

(D) A person who votes by absent voter's ballots pursuant to division (G) of this section shall not make written application for the ballots pursuant to Chapter 3509. of the Revised Code. Ballots cast pursuant to division (G) of this section shall be set aside in a special envelope and counted during the official canvass of votes in the manner provided for in sections 3505.32 and 3509.06 of the Revised Code insofar as that manner is applicable. The board shall examine the pollbooks to verify that no ballot was cast at the polls or by absent voter's ballots under Chapter 3509. or 3511. of the Revised Code by an elector who has voted by absent voter's ballots pursuant to division (G) of this section. Any ballot determined to be insufficient for any of the reasons stated above or stated in section 3509.07 of the Revised Code shall not be counted.

Subject to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code, a board of elections may lease or otherwise acquire a site different from the office of the board at which registered electors may vote pursuant to division (B) or (C) of this section.

(E) Upon receiving a notice of change of residence or change of name, the board of elections shall immediately send the registrant an acknowledgment notice. If the change of residence or change of name notice is valid, the board shall update the voter's registration as appropriate. If that form is incomplete, the board shall inform the registrant in the acknowledgment notice specified in this division of the information necessary to complete or update that registrant's registration.

(F) Change of residence and change of name forms shall be available at each polling place, and when these forms are completed, noting changes of residence or name, as appropriate, they shall be filed with election officials at the polling place. Election officials shall return completed forms, together with the pollbooks and tally sheets, to the board of elections.

The board of elections shall provide change of residence and change of name forms to the probate court and court of common pleas. The court shall provide the forms to any person eighteen years of age or older who has a change of name by order of the court or who applies for a marriage license. The court shall forward all completed forms to the board of elections within five days after receiving them.

(G) A registered elector who otherwise would qualify to vote under division (B) or (C) of this section but is unable to appear at the office of the board of elections or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location, on account of personal illness, physical disability, or infirmity, may vote on the day of the election if that registered elector does all of the following:

(1) Makes a written application on a form prescribed by the secretary of state that includes all of the information required under section 3509.03 of the Revised Code to the appropriate board for an absent voter's ballot on or after the twenty-seventh day prior to the election in which the registered elector wishes to vote through the close of business on the seventh day prior to that election and requests that the absent voter's ballot be sent to the address to which the registered elector has moved if the registered elector has moved, or to the address of that registered elector who has not moved but has had a change of name;

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

(3) Completes and returns along with the completed absent voter's ballot a notice of change of residence indicating the address to which the registered elector has moved, or a notice of change of name, whichever is appropriate;

(4) Completes and signs, under penalty of election falsification, a statement attesting that the registered elector has moved or had a change of name on or prior to the day before the election, has voted by absent voter's ballot because of personal illness, physical disability, or infirmity that prevented the registered elector from appearing at the board of elections, and will not vote or attempt to vote at any other location or by absent voter's ballot mailed to any other location or address for that particular election.

Last updated January 24, 2023 at 3:56 PM

Section 3503.17 | Precinct boundary changes.

• Effective: May 31, 1977
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 125 - 112th General Assembly

When a new precinct has been created, or the boundaries thereof have been changed, the election authorities shall correct and transfer the registration forms of registered electors whose voting precincts have thus been changed and shall notify such registrants by mail. The registration of an elector shall not be invalidated by such alteration or transfer nor shall the right of any registered elector to vote be prejudiced by any error in making out the certified list of registered voters.

Section 3503.18 | Cancellation of registration.

• Effective: September 13, 2016
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 63 - 131st General Assembly

(A)(1) Not later than the last day of each month, the director of health shall file with the secretary of state the names, social security numbers, dates of birth, dates of death, and residences of all persons, over eighteen years of age, who have died within this state or another state during the period beginning on the date of the most recent filing and ending on the day before the date of the current filing. If the director is notified of the death of such a person after the director has filed the report for the period during which the person died, the director shall file with the secretary of state a supplemental report containing that information concerning the person not later than one month after the director is notified of the person's death.

(2) The secretary of state and the director of health shall jointly establish a secure electronic system through which they shall exchange the information described in division (A)(1) of this section regarding the death of a registered elector.

(B) At least once each month, each probate judge in this state shall file with the board of elections the names and residence addresses of all persons over eighteen years of age who have been adjudicated incompetent for the purpose of voting, as provided in section 5122.301 of the Revised Code.

(C) At least once each month the clerk of the court of common pleas shall file with the board the names and residence addresses of all persons who have been convicted during the previous month of crimes that would disfranchise such persons under existing laws of the state. Reports of conviction of crimes under the laws of the United States that would disfranchise an elector and that are provided to the secretary of state by any United States attorney shall be forwarded by the secretary of state to the appropriate board of elections.

(D) Upon receiving a report required by this section, the board of elections shall promptly cancel the registration of each elector named in the report in accordance with section 3503.21 of the Revised Code. If the report contains a residence address of an elector in a county other than the county in which the board of elections is located, the director shall promptly send a copy of the report to the appropriate board of elections, which shall cancel the registration in accordance with that section.

Section 3503.19 | Methods of registration or change of registration.

• Effective: April 7, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 458 - 134th General Assembly

(A) Persons qualified to register or to change their registration because of a change of address or change of name may register or change their registration in person at any state or local office of a designated agency, at the office of the registrar or any deputy registrar of motor vehicles, at a public high school or vocational school, at a public library, at the office of a county treasurer, or at a branch office established by the board of elections, or in person, through another person, or by mail at the office of the secretary of state or at the office of a board of elections. A registered elector may also change the elector's registration on election day at any polling place where the elector is eligible to vote, in the manner provided under section 3503.16 of the Revised Code.

Any state or local office of a designated agency, the office of the registrar or any deputy registrar of motor vehicles, a public high school or vocational school, a public library, or the office of a county treasurer shall transmit any voter registration application or change of registration form that it receives to the board of elections of the county in which the state or local office is located, within five days after receiving the voter registration application or change of registration form.

An otherwise valid voter registration application that is returned to the appropriate office other than by mail must be received by a state or local office of a designated agency, the office of the registrar or any deputy registrar of motor vehicles, a public high school or vocational school, a public library, the office of a county treasurer, the office of the secretary of state, or the office of a board of elections no later than the thirtieth day preceding a primary, special, or general election for the person to qualify as an elector eligible to vote at that election. An otherwise valid registration application received after that day entitles the elector to vote at all subsequent elections.

Any state or local office of a designated agency, the office of the registrar or any deputy registrar of motor vehicles, a public high school or vocational school, a public library, or the office of a county treasurer shall date stamp a registration application or change of name or change of address form it receives using a date stamp that does not disclose the identity of the state or local office that receives the registration.

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

(B)(1) Any person may apply in person, by telephone, by mail, or through another person for voter registration forms to the office of the secretary of state or the office of a board of elections. An individual who is eligible to vote as a uniformed services voter or an overseas voter in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 1973ff-6 also may apply for voter registration forms by electronic means to the office of the secretary of state or to the board of elections of the county in which the person's voting residence is located pursuant to section 3503.191 of the Revised Code.

(2)(a) An applicant may return the applicant's completed registration form in person or by mail to any state or local office of a designated agency, to a public high school or vocational school, to a public library, to the office of a county treasurer, to the office of the secretary of state, or to the office of a board of elections. An applicant who is eligible to vote as a uniformed services voter or an overseas voter in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 1973ff-6 also may return the applicant's completed voter registration form electronically to the office of the secretary of state or to the board of elections of the county in which the person's voting residence is located pursuant to section 3503.191 of the Revised Code.

(b) Subject to division (B)(2)(c) of this section, an applicant may return the applicant's completed registration form through another person to any board of elections or the office of the secretary of state.

(c) A person who receives compensation for registering a voter shall return any registration form entrusted to that person by an applicant to any board of elections or to the office of the secretary of state.

(d) If a board of elections or the office of the secretary of state receives a registration form under division (B)(2)(b) or (c) of this section before the thirtieth day before an election, the board or the office of the secretary of state, as applicable, shall forward the registration to the board of elections of the county in which the applicant is seeking to register to vote within ten days after receiving the application. If a board of elections or the office of the secretary of state receives a registration form under division (B)(2)(b) or (c) of this section on or after the thirtieth day before an election, the board or the office of the secretary of state, as applicable, shall forward the registration to the board of elections of the county in which the applicant is seeking to register to vote within thirty days after that election.

(C)(1) A board of elections that receives a voter registration application and is satisfied as to the truth of the statements made in the registration form shall register the applicant not later than twenty business days after receiving the application, unless that application is received during the thirty days immediately preceding the day of an election. The board shall promptly notify the applicant in writing of each of the following:

(a) The applicant's registration;

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

(c) In bold type as follows:

"Voters must bring photo identification to the polls in order to verify identity. Voters who do not provide photo identification will still be able to vote by casting a provisional ballot."

The notification shall be by nonforwardable mail. If the mail is returned to the board, it shall investigate and cause the notification to be delivered to the correct address.

(2) If, after investigating as required under division (C)(1) of this section, the board is unable to verify the voter's correct address, it shall cause the voter's name in the official registration list and in the poll list or signature pollbook to be marked to indicate that the voter's notification was returned to the board.

At the first election at which a voter whose name has been so marked appears to vote, the voter shall be required to vote by provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code. If the provisional ballot is counted pursuant to division (B)(3) of section 3505.183 of the Revised Code, the board shall correct that voter's registration, if needed, and shall remove the indication that the voter's notification was returned from that voter's name on the official registration list and on the poll list or signature pollbook. If the provisional ballot is not counted pursuant to division (B)(4)(a)(i), (v), or (vi) of section 3505.183 of the Revised Code, the voter's registration shall be canceled. The board shall notify the voter by United States mail of the cancellation.

(3) If a notice of the disposition of an otherwise valid registration application is sent by nonforwardable mail and is returned undelivered, the person shall be registered as provided in division (C)(2) of this section and sent a confirmation notice by forwardable mail. If the person fails to respond to the confirmation notice, update the person's registration, or vote by provisional ballot as provided in division (C)(2) of this section in any election during the period of two federal elections subsequent to the mailing of the confirmation notice, the person's registration shall be canceled.

Last updated January 24, 2023 at 3:56 PM

Section 3503.191 | Uniformed services voters - procedures for receiving voter registration forms.

• Effective: October 27, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 224 - 129th General Assembly

(A) The secretary of state shall establish procedures that allow any person who is eligible to vote as a uniformed services voter or an overseas voter in accordance with Chapter 3511. of the Revised Code to request voter registration forms electronically from the office of the secretary of state or the board of elections of the county in which the person's voting residence is located.

(B) The procedures shall allow such a person to express a preference for the manner in which the person will receive the requested voter registration forms, whether by mail, electronically, or in person. The registration forms shall be transmitted by the preferred method. If the requestor does not express a preferred method, the registration forms shall be delivered via standard mail.

(C) The secretary of state shall, by rule, establish and maintain reasonable procedures necessary to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of personal information that is confidential under state or federal law that is collected, stored, or otherwise used in the electronic voter registration form request process established under this section. To the extent practicable, the procedures shall protect the security and integrity of the electronic voter registration form request process and protect the privacy of the identity and personal data of the person when such forms are requested, processed, and sent.

(D) In establishing procedures under this section, the secretary of state shall designate at least one means of electronic communication for use by such persons to request voter registration forms, for use by the state to send voter registration forms to those who have requested electronic delivery, and for providing public election and voting information. Such designated means of electronic communication shall be identified on all information and instructional materials that accompany balloting materials.

Section 3503.20 | Online voter registration system.

• Effective: September 13, 2016
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 63 - 131st General Assembly

(A) The secretary of state shall establish a secure online voter registration system. The system shall provide for all of the following:

(1) An applicant to submit a voter registration application to the secretary of state online through the internet;

(2) The online applicant to be registered to vote, if all of the following apply:

(a) The application contains all of the following information:

(i) The applicant's name;

(ii) The applicant's address;

(iii) The applicant's date of birth;

(iv) The last four digits of the applicant's social security number;

(v) The applicant's Ohio driver's license number or the number of the applicant's state identification card issued under section 4507.50 of the Revised Code.

(b) The applicant's name, address, and date of birth, the last four digits of the applicant's social security number, and the applicant's Ohio driver's license number or the number of the applicant's state identification card as they are provided in the application are not inconsistent with the information on file with the bureau of motor vehicles;

(c) The applicant is a United States citizen, will have lived in this state for thirty days immediately preceding the next election, will be at least eighteen years of age on or before the day of the next general election, and is otherwise eligible to register to vote;

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

(B) If an individual registers to vote or a registered elector updates the elector's name, address, or both under this section, the secretary of state shall obtain an electronic copy of the applicant's or elector's signature that is on file with the bureau of motor vehicles. That electronic signature shall be used as the applicant's or elector's signature on voter registration records, for all election and signature-matching purposes.

(C) The secretary of state shall employ whatever security measures the secretary of state considers necessary to ensure the integrity and accuracy of voter registration information submitted electronically pursuant to this section. Errors in processing voter registration applications in the online system shall not prevent an applicant from becoming registered or from voting.

(D) The online voter registration application established under division (A) of this section shall include the following language:

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

(1) I am the person whose name and identifying information is provided on this form, and I desire to register to vote, or update my voter registration, in the State of Ohio.

(2) All of the information I have provided on this form is true and correct as of the date I am submitting this form.

(3) I am a United States citizen.

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

(5) I will be at least eighteen years of age on or before the day of the next general election.

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

In order to register to vote or update a voter registration under division (A) of this section, an applicant or elector shall be required to mark the box in the online voter registration application that appears in conjunction with the previous statement.

(E) The online voter registration process established under division (A) of this section shall be in operation and available for use by individuals who wish to register to vote or update their voter registration information online not earlier than January 1, 2017. During the period beginning on the first day after the close of voter registration before an election and ending on the day of the election, the online voter registration system shall display a notice indicating that the applicant will not be registered to vote for the purposes of that election.

(F) Notwithstanding section 1.50 of the Revised Code, if any provision of this section or of division (E) of section 3503.14 of the Revised Code is held invalid, or if the application of any provision of this section or of that division to any person or circumstance is held invalid, then this section and that division cease to operate.

Section 3503.21 | Occurrences resulting in cancellation of registration.

• Effective: September 13, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 359, Senate Bill 63 - 131st General Assembly

(A) The registration of a registered elector shall be canceled upon the occurrence of any of the following:

(1) The filing by a registered elector of a written request with a board of elections or the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state and signed by the elector, that the registration be canceled. The filing of such a request does not prohibit an otherwise qualified elector from reregistering to vote at any time.

(2) The filing of a notice of the death of a registered elector as provided in section 3503.18 of the Revised Code;

(3) The filing with the board of elections of a certified copy of the death certificate of a registered elector by the deceased elector's spouse, parent, or child, by the administrator of the deceased elector's estate, or by the executor of the deceased elector's will;

(4) The conviction of the registered elector of a felony under the laws of this state, any other state, or the United States as provided in section 2961.01 of the Revised Code;

(5) The adjudication of incompetency of the registered elector for the purpose of voting as provided in section 5122.301 of the Revised Code;

(6) The change of residence of the registered elector to a location outside the county of registration in accordance with division (B) of this section;

(7) The failure of the registered elector, after having been mailed a confirmation notice, to do either of the following:

(a) Respond to such a notice and vote at least once during a period of four consecutive years, which period shall include two general federal elections;

(b) Update the elector's registration and vote at least once during a period of four consecutive years, which period shall include two general federal elections.

(8) The receipt by the board of elections of a cancellation notice or request pursuant to section 111.44 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) The secretary of state shall prescribe procedures to identify and cancel the registration in a prior county of residence of any registrant who changes the registrant's voting residence to a location outside the registrant's current county of registration. Any procedures prescribed in this division shall be uniform and nondiscriminatory, and shall comply with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The secretary of state may prescribe procedures under this division that include the use of the national change of address service provided by the United States postal system through its licensees. Any program so prescribed shall be completed not later than ninety days prior to the date of any primary or general election for federal office.

(2) The registration of any elector identified as having changed the elector's voting residence to a location outside the elector's current county of registration shall not be canceled unless the registrant is sent a confirmation notice on a form prescribed by the secretary of state and the registrant fails to respond to the confirmation notice or otherwise update the registration and fails to vote in any election during the period of two federal elections subsequent to the mailing of the confirmation notice.

(C) The registration of a registered elector shall not be canceled except as provided in this section, section 111.44 of the Revised Code, division (Q) of section 3501.05 of the Revised Code, division (C)(2) of section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, or division (C) of section 3503.24 of the Revised Code.

(D) Boards of elections shall send their voter registration information to the secretary of state as required under section 3503.15 of the Revised Code. The secretary of state may prescribe by rule adopted pursuant to section 111.15 of the Revised Code the format in which the boards of elections must send that information to the secretary of state. In the first quarter of each year, the secretary of state shall send the information to the national change of address service described in division (B) of this section and request that service to provide the secretary of state with a list of any voters sent by the secretary of state who have moved within the last twelve months. The secretary of state shall transmit to each appropriate board of elections whatever lists the secretary of state receives from that service. The board shall send a notice to each person on the list transmitted by the secretary of state requesting confirmation of the person's change of address, together with a postage prepaid, preaddressed return envelope containing a form on which the voter may verify or correct the change of address information.

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

(F)(1) When a registration is canceled pursuant to division (A)(2) or (3) of this section, the applicable board of elections shall send a written notice, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, to the address at which the elector was registered, informing the recipient that the elector's registration has been canceled, of the reason for the cancellation, and that if the cancellation was made in error, the elector may contact the board of elections to correct the error.

(2) If the elector's registration is canceled pursuant to division (A)(2) or (3) of this section in error, it shall be restored and treated as though it were never canceled.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Section 3503.23 | Precinct official registration list.

• Effective: September 8, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 359 - 131st General Assembly

(A) Fourteen days before an election, the board of elections shall cause to be prepared from the statewide voter registration database established under section 3503.15 of the Revised Code a complete and official registration list for each precinct, containing the names, addresses, and political party whose ballot the elector voted in the most recent primary election within the current year and the immediately preceding two calendar years, of all qualified registered voters in the precinct, except as otherwise provided in section 111.44 of the Revised Code. All the names, insofar as practicable, shall be arranged in alphabetical order. The lists may be prepared either in sheet form on one side of the paper or in electronic form, at the discretion of the board. Each precinct list shall be headed "Register of Voters," and under the heading shall be indicated the district or ward and precinct.

Appended to each precinct list shall be attached the names of the members of the board and the name of the director. A sufficient number of such lists shall be provided for distribution to the candidates, political parties, or organized groups that apply for them. The board shall have each precinct list available at the board for viewing by the public during normal business hours. The board shall ensure that, by the opening of the polls on the day of a general or primary election, each precinct has a paper copy of the registration list of voters in that precinct.

(B) On the day of a general or primary election, precinct election officials shall do both of the following:

(1) By the time the polls open, conspicuously post and display at the polling place one copy of the registration list of voters in that precinct in an area of the polling place that is easily accessible;

(2) At 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. place a mark, on the official registration list posted at the polling place, before the name of those registered voters who have voted.

(C) Notwithstanding division (B) of section 3501.35 of the Revised Code, any person may enter the polling place for the sole purpose of reviewing the official registration list posted in accordance with division (B) of this section, provided that the person does not engage in conduct that would constitute harassment in violation of the election law, as defined in section 3501.90 of the Revised Code.

Section 3503.24 | Application for correction of precinct registration list or challenge of right to vote.

• Effective: March 20, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 41 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) Application for the correction of any precinct registration list or a challenge of the right to vote of any registered elector may be made by any qualified elector at the office of the board of elections not later than the thirtieth day before the day of the election. The applications or challenges, with the reasons for the application or challenge, shall be filed with the board in person or by mail on a form prescribed by the secretary of state and shall be signed under penalty of election falsification.

(B) On receiving an application or challenge filed under this section, the board of elections promptly shall review the board's records. If the board is able to determine that an application or challenge should be granted or denied solely on the basis of the records maintained by the board, the board immediately shall vote to grant or deny that application or challenge.

If the board is not able to determine whether an application or challenge should be granted or denied solely on the basis of the records maintained by the board, the director shall promptly set a time and date for a hearing before the board. The hearing shall be held, and the application or challenge shall be decided, no later than ten days after the board receives the application or challenge. The director shall send written notice to any elector whose right to vote is challenged and to any person whose name is alleged to have been omitted from a registration list. The notice shall inform the person of the time and date of the hearing, and of the person's right to appear and testify, call witnesses, and be represented by counsel. The notice shall be sent by first class mail no later than three days before the day of any scheduled hearing. Except as otherwise provided in division (D) of this section, the director shall also provide the person who filed the application or challenge with such written notice of the date and time of the hearing.

At the request of either party or any member of the board, the board shall issue subpoenas to witnesses to appear and testify before the board at a hearing held under this section. All witnesses shall testify under oath. The board shall reach a decision on all applications and challenges immediately after hearing.

(C) If the board decides that any such person is not entitled to have the person's name on the registration list, the person's name shall be removed from the list and the person's registration forms canceled. If the board decides that the name of any such person should appear on the registration list, it shall be added to the list, and the person's registration forms placed in the proper registration files. All such corrections and additions shall be made on a copy of the precinct lists, which shall constitute the poll lists, to be furnished to the respective precincts with other election supplies on the day preceding the election, to be used by the election officials in receiving the signatures of voters and in checking against the registration forms.

(D) If an elector who is the subject of an application or challenge hearing has a confidential voter registration record, as described in section 111.44 of the Revised Code, all of the following apply:

(1) If the elector's right to vote has been challenged, the person who filed the challenge shall not receive notice of the date and time of any hearing held concerning the challenge, shall not be permitted to attend the hearing, and shall not receive notice of the disposition of the challenge.

(2) If the elector is the subject of an application for the correction of the precinct registration list and the elector is not the person who filed the application, the person who filed the application shall not receive notice of the date and time of any hearing held concerning the application, shall not be permitted to attend the hearing, and shall not receive notice of the disposition of the application.

(3) Notwithstanding section 121.22 of the Revised Code, any hearing held concerning the application or challenge shall not be open to the public.

(4) Any records created as a result of the application or challenge that include the elector's residence address or precinct shall not be open to public inspection.

Section 3503.25 | Investigations regarding the registration.

• Effective: August 22, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly

The board of elections may conduct investigations, summon witnesses, and take testimony under oath regarding the registration of any voter or as to the accuracy of the registration lists in any precinct.

Section 3503.26 | Custody of registration forms, records and lists.

• Effective: September 8, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 359 - 131st General Assembly

(A) All registration forms and lists, when not in official use by the registrars or precinct election officials, shall be in the possession of the board of elections. Names and addresses of electors may be copied from the registration lists only in the office of the board when it is open for business; but no such copying shall be permitted during the period of time commencing twenty-one days before an election and ending on the eleventh day after an election if such copying will, in the opinion of the board, interfere with the necessary work of the board. Except as provided in section 111.44 of the Revised Code, the board shall keep in convenient form and available for public inspection a correct set of the registration lists of all precincts in the county.

(B) Notwithstanding division (A) of this section, and except as provided in section 111.44 of the Revised Code, the board of elections shall maintain and make available for public inspection and copying at a reasonable cost all records concerning the implementation of programs and activities conducted for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy and currency of voter registration lists, including the names and addresses of all registered electors sent confirmation notices and whether or not the elector responded to the confirmation notice. The board shall maintain all records described in this division for a period of two years.

Section 3503.28 | Information brochure regarding voter registration.

• Effective: April 7, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 458 - 134th General Assembly

(A) The secretary of state shall develop an information brochure regarding voter registration. The brochure shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following information:

(1) The applicable deadlines for registering to vote or for returning an applicant's completed registration form;

(2) The applicable deadline for returning an applicant's completed registration form if the person returning the form is being compensated for registering voters;

(3) The locations to which a person may return an applicant's completed registration form;

(4) The location to which a person who is compensated for registering voters may return an applicant's completed registration form;

(5) The registration and affirmation requirements applicable to persons who are compensated for registering voters under section 3503.29 of the Revised Code;

(6) A notice, which shall be written in bold type, stating as follows:

"Voters must bring photo identification to the polls in order to verify identity. Voters who do not provide photo identification will still be able to vote by casting a provisional ballot."

(B) Except as otherwise provided in division (D) of this section, a board of elections, designated agency, public high school, public vocational school, public library, office of a county treasurer, or deputy registrar of motor vehicles shall distribute a copy of the brochure developed under division (A) of this section to any person who requests more than two voter registration forms at one time.

(C)(1) The secretary of state shall provide the information required to be included in the brochure developed under division (A) of this section to any person who prints a voter registration form that is made available on a web site of the office of the secretary of state.

(2) If a board of elections operates and maintains a web site, the board shall provide the information required to be included in the brochure developed under division (A) of this section to any person who prints a voter registration form that is made available on that web site.

(D) A board of elections shall not be required to distribute a copy of a brochure under division (B) of this section to any of the following officials or employees who are requesting more than two voter registration forms at one time in the course of the official's or employee's normal duties:

(1) An election official;

(2) A county treasurer;

(3) A deputy registrar of motor vehicles;

(4) An employee of a designated agency;

(5) An employee of a public high school;

(6) An employee of a public vocational school;

(7) An employee of a public library;

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

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

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

(11) An employee of an election official.

(E) As used in this section, "registering voters" includes any effort, for compensation, to provide voter registration forms or to assist persons in completing or returning those forms.

Last updated January 19, 2023 at 10:32 AM

Section 3503.29 | Training and registration of compensated voter registrants.

• Effective: August 15, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 295 - 129th General Assembly

(A) The secretary of state shall develop and make available through a web site of the office of the secretary of state a training program for any person who receives or expects to receive compensation for registering a voter. The secretary of state shall specify, by rule adopted pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the information to be included in the online training program developed under this division.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in division (E) of this section, the secretary of state, by rules adopted pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall prescribe a program under which the secretary of state shall register any person who receives or expects to receive compensation for registering a voter in this state.

(C) Except as otherwise provided in division (E) of this section, in each year in which a person receives or expects to receive compensation for registering a voter, that person, prior to registering a voter, shall do all of the following:

(1) Register with the secretary of state in accordance with the program prescribed under division (B) of this section;

(2) Complete the training program established by the secretary of state under division (A) of this section.

(3) Sign an affirmation that includes all of the following:

(a) The person's name;

(b) The person's date of birth;

(c) The person's permanent address;

(d) The name of each county in which the person expects to register voters;

(e) A statement that the person has registered, as required under division (C)(1) of this section, with the secretary of state;

(f) A statement that the person has completed the training program required under division (C)(2) of this section;

(g) A statement that the person will follow all applicable laws of this state while registering voters.

(D) Except as otherwise provided in division (E) of this section, each time a person who receives or expects to receive compensation for registering a voter submits a completed registration form that has been entrusted to that person to a board of elections, the person also shall submit, with the voter registration form, a copy of the affirmation signed by the person under division (C)(3) of this section. A single copy of the signed affirmation may be submitted with all voter registration forms that are returned by that person at one time.

(E) None of the following officials or employees who are registering voters in the course of the official's or employee's normal duties shall be required to comply with divisions (C) and (D) of this section:

(1) An election official;

(2) A county treasurer;

(3) A deputy registrar of motor vehicles;

(4) An employee of a designated agency;

(5) An employee of a public high school;

(6) An employee of a public vocational school;

(7) An employee of a public library;

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

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

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

(11) An employee of an election official.

(F) As used in this section, "registering a voter" and "registering voters" includes any effort, for compensation, to provide voter registration forms or to assist persons in completing or returning those forms.

Section 3503.30 | Correction of registration form.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

When by mistake a qualified elector has caused himself to be registered in a precinct which was not his place of residence, the board of elections, on full and satisfactory proof that such error was committed by mistake, may, on his personal application and proof of his true residence, correct his registration form. The board may correct all errors occurring in the registration of electors when it finds that the errors subject to correction were not of fraudulent intent.

Section 3503.33 | Prior registration in another county or state - cancellation authorization.

• Effective: August 22, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly

If an elector applying for registration is already registered in another state or in another county within this state, the elector shall declare this fact to the registration officer and shall sign an authorization to cancel the previous registration on a form prescribed by the secretary of state.

The director of the board of elections shall mail all such authorizations to the board of elections or comparable agency of the proper state and county. Upon the receipt of this authorization from the forwarding county, the director of a board of elections in Ohio, upon a comparison of the elector's signature with the elector's signature as it appears on the registration files, shall remove the elector's registration from the files, and place it with the cancellation authorization in a separate file which shall be kept for a period of two calendar years. The board shall notify the elector at the present address as shown on the cancellation authorization that his registration has been canceled.