Election Security
Free, fair, and secure elections are essential to Ohio’s democracy. Through the Public Integrity Division, the Ohio Secretary of State’s office works to protect election systems, voters, and public trust.
Election infrastructure is recognized nationally as critical infrastructure, requiring strong safeguards against cyber threats, interference, and misuse.
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Protecting election integrity is a shared responsibility.
How Ohio Protects Elections
Ohio uses a coordinated, statewide approach to election security and oversight—bringing key functions together for stronger protection and accountability.
Among other things, this includes:
Cybersecurity safeguards
Vendor and infrastructure oversight
Campaign finance transparency
Voter and election worker protections
Election-related investigations
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Protection
Ohio maintains consistent security standards for all county boards of elections.
Key protections include:
Secure government-only web and email systems
Cybersecurity testing and threat monitoring
Strong password and multi-factor authentication policies
Ongoing cybersecurity training for election staff
These measures help prevent cyberattacks and protect election systems statewide.
Vendor Oversight & Physical Security
To reduce risk and strengthen accountability, Ohio:
Enforces security standards for election vendors
Reviews vendor cybersecurity practices
Restricts the use of high-risk foreign products
Requires video surveillance of voting equipment and storage areas
Campaign Finance Transparency
Transparent campaign finance reporting helps voters understand who is funding elections.
The Secretary of State’s office:
Oversees campaign finance filings
Provides guidance to candidates and committees
Reviews reports for accuracy and compliance
Investigates potential violations
Safe at Home: Protecting Voters
The Safe at Home program protects eligible individuals whose safety could be at risk if their address were public.
The program provides:
A confidential substitute address
Protection from public records disclosure
Safe participation in elections
Safety should never prevent someone from voting.
Public Integrity Division Oversight
The Public Integrity Division coordinates:
Election investigations
Cybersecurity oversight
Vendor compliance
Campaign finance review
Safe at Home administration
Transparency and records practices
This unified approach ensures elections are secure, transparent, and accountable.
Resources
Post-Election Audits
A post-election audit is a comprehensive review of results to verify that the election was accurate. Prior to an election, county boards of elections are required to conduct a full battery of tests called logic and accuracy (L&A) testing on all voting equipment. After each election, a bipartisan team of Republicans and Democrats from county boards of elections compares the tabulated results to the hardcopy paper ballots to ensure fidelity between the two. Unlike other states, Secretary LaRose has required Ohio’s county boards to audit election results after every election.
Ohio counties can utilize one of two types of audits – a percentage-based audit or a risk-limiting audit – both widely considered as reliable ways to determine the accuracy of the results.
Life of an Absentee Ballot
See how an absentee ballot moves through Ohio's election system from start to finish.