2020 Ohio Revised Code
Title 35 | Elections
Chapter 3509 | Absent Voter's Ballots
Section 3509.07 | Rejection and Challenge of Absent Voter Ballots.

Effective: September 8, 2016

Latest Legislation: House Bill 359 - 131st General Assembly

If election officials find that any of the following are true concerning an absent voter's ballot or absent voter's presidential ballot and, if applicable, the person did not provide any required additional information to the board of elections not later than the seventh day after the day of the election, as permitted under division (D)(3)(b) or (E)(2) of section 3509.06 of the Revised Code, the ballot shall not be accepted or counted:

(A) The statement accompanying the ballot is incomplete as described in division (D)(3)(a) of section 3509.06 of the Revised Code or is insufficient;

(B) The signatures do not correspond with the person's registration signature;

(C) The applicant is not a qualified elector in the precinct;

(D) The ballot envelope contains more than one ballot of any one kind, or any voted ballot that the elector is not entitled to vote;

(E) Stub A is detached from the absent voter's ballot or absent voter's presidential ballot; or

(F) The elector has not included with the elector's ballot any identification required under section 3509.05 or 3511.09 of the Revised Code.

The vote of any absent voter may be challenged for cause in the same manner as other votes are challenged, and the election officials shall determine the legality of that ballot. Every ballot not counted shall be endorsed on its back "Not Counted" with the reasons the ballot was not counted, and shall be enclosed and returned to or retained by the board of elections along with the contested ballots.