(Columbus) – Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced today that Ohio’s registered voters will soon begin receiving an absentee ballot request form in the mail. Those request forms are arriving in mailboxes around Labor Day weekend.
“For over a decade, registered Ohio voters have received an absentee ballot request form ahead of the Presidential and Gubernatorial general elections, and that will continue this year,” said Secretary LaRose.
Since 2012, the state legislature has authorized the mailing of absentee ballot application forms to registered voters in every even-year general election. Only after the completed application, including voter identification, is verified by bipartisan teams at a county board of elections is a ballot mailed to a voter.
Ohio’s voter list is constantly maintained for accuracy, as voters move or otherwise become inactive. Additionally, state and federal law require certain inactive voters to remain on the rolls for a defined period, between four and six years, before they can be removed. This means any mailing to Ohio’s entire voter list might result in some pieces being undeliverable or received at a residence where a voter formerly lived. Secretary LaRose worked with the Ohio General Assembly to get greater authority to collect data on returned mail so county boards of elections can investigate those records. He has also asked the legislature to enact a law that allows boards of elections to more immediately remove voters who have demonstrably moved and registered to vote in another state, but unfortunately, that legislation has not yet been passed.
What Voters Can Expect:
Voters will receive an envelope with the distinct and recognizable label including the words “Official Election Mail” beginning this week.
Inside the envelope, they will find an explanation letter with important voting information and an absentee ballot request form.
Any eligible voter who wishes to cast an absentee ballot in the upcoming election can complete this form, provide the required identification, and return it to their county board of elections using the pre-addressed return envelope.
Boards of Elections will begin mailing absentee ballots to military and overseas voters on September 18 and to all other voters on October 6.
Official Envelope: Click here to download
Voter Instruction Letter: Click here to download
Absentee Request Application Form: Click here to download
Official Return Envelope: Click here to download
"As various groups and campaigns ramp up their communication with voters, every Ohioan should be vigilant when completing any forms that are not labeled official election mail,” Secretary LaRose added.
Ensuring Secure Absentee Voting
Ohioans have utilized no-fault absentee voting for nearly two decades. The state’s long history of administering absentee voting has enabled legislators and election officials to establish the laws and processes necessary to secure absentee voting against fraud.
Absentee ballots are only sent to registered voters who submit a valid request.
Voter identification and signature are checked TWICE during the process, first when the absentee ballot is requested and again when the voted ballot is returned.
Comprehensive voter list maintenance keeps voter rolls accurate and up to date.
Ohio law prohibits “ballot harvesting” by barring individuals from possessing or returning another voter’s absentee ballot, with limited exceptions. This reduces opportunities for coercion, ballot tampering, theft, or interference with delivery that could prevent a voter’s ballot from being counted.
All regular absentee ballots must be received by the county board of elections no later than 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, whether returned by mail or in person. Absentee voters are encouraged to request their ballot early and return it promptly.
Voters can track their ballot on VoteOhio.gov/Track.
Voters may report suspected fraud here.
These requirements and processes, as well as strict laws against voter fraud, have made absentee voting in Ohio secure and instances of fraud rare.