ProgressOhio

http://www.bbvforums.org/forums/messages/163/77686.html?1219146213

No wonder there's so much tiptoeing around. The 2 articles that I've seen about absentee voting left gaping holes.

July 18, 2008 Akron Beacon Journal http://www.ohio.com/news/ap?articleID=617534&c=y failed to report about the financial choices for the election officials in all of Ohio's 88 counties regarding Combined Mailing of Notice of Election and Application for Absentee Voting.

August 8, 2008 WCPO.COM
http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=b767279e-4b18-4b14-a981-5a6 c95d1bb26
failed to report about the financial choices for the election officials in all of Ohio's 88 counties regarding Combined Mailing of Notice of Election and Application for Absentee Voting.

July 18, 2008 - The Ohio Secretary of State posted a Memorandum and Directive 2008-55
"...Unfortunately the General Assembly passed this elections law without contacting Ohio's chief elections officer for suggestions or comments that may have improved the implementation
of this law and resulted in a realistic appropriation for the intended use of the funds..."

http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/Upload/elections/directives/2008/Dir2008-55.pdf

JENNIFER BRUNNER
OHIO SECRETARY OF STATE
180 EAST BROAD STREET, 16TH FLOOR
COLUMBUS, OHIO 432 t 5 USA
TEL: ! -877-767-6446 FAX: 1-614-644-0649
WWW.SOS.STATE.OH.US
MEMORANDUM
To: All Counties; BOE Contacts
Cc: Field Staff; Elections
From: Secretary of State, Jennifer Brunner
Date: 07/18/2008
Re: R.C. 3501.19 Notices of Elections Implementation of Appropriation for
Absentee Ballot Applications in Am. Sub. H.B. 562
On June 10, 2008, the General Assembly adopted Amended Substitute House Bill 562, which
was subsequently signed by Governor Strickland. The bill includes $3 million to partially fund a
new General Assembly-created category of elections mailing - a Combined Notice of Election
and Absent Voter's Ballot Application ("combined mailing").
Unfortunately, the General Assembly passed this elections law without contacting Ohio's chief
elections officer for suggestions or comments that may have improved the implementation of this
law and resulted in a realistic appropriation for the intended use of the funds.
The resulting directive, as required by the law, is the Secretary of State's best effort to fairly and
equitably interpret and implement this law. The directive prioritizes voters' interests first, along
with maintaining accountability for public funds. Prioritizing the use of the funds also permits
the Secretary of State to mitigate potential constitutional pitfalls with the legislation that could
cause problems in the law's implementation and create difficulties for boards as Election Day
draws nearer. Use of the combined mailing is optional for boards, because the funding shortfall
may place some boards in the position of incuning additional costs without providing adequate
funds to cover those expenses.
What this directive covers:
• Under cunent law, every county board of elections is required to mail a notice to voters
60 days prior to the November 2008 general election - on September 5, 2008.
• The bill offers funding for this mailing ifit is combined with an absent voter's ballot
application mailing.
• The bill also offers funding for a voter to retum an absentee ballot application by mail.
• Money available to a board of elections from this fund will be based on that county's
percentage of the total qualified electors in Ohio as of August 6, 2008.
• That money first will be applied to the cost of returned absent voter's applications and
then to the cost of sending the applications.
• To be eligible for that money, the board must use Secretary of State-prescribed forms;
track specific information; and submit the data by a specified dates.
• The fund will not provide enough money to cover all expenses related to the combined
mailing if all 88 counties were to participate.
If you have any questions about interpreting or implementing this directive, please contact your
assigned Secretary of State elections counsel.
JENNIFER BRUNNER
OHIO SECRETARY OF STATE
180 EAST BROAD STREET, 16TH FLOOR
COLUMBUS. OHIO 43215 USA
TEL: 1-877-767-6446 FAX: 1-614-644-0649
WWW.SOS.STATE.OH.US
Directive 2008-55
July 18, 2008
TO: All County Boards of Elections
RE: RC. 3501.19 Notices of Election
Implementation of Appropriation for Absentee Ballot Applications in Am. Sub. H.B. 562
R.C. 3501.19 Notices of Election
General Information
RC. 3501.19 mandates that each board of elections send a "Notice of Election and Identification
Requirements" to registered electors of the county 60 days before the November 4, 2008 general
election. This notice is commonly referred to as the "6o-day notice."
A board of elections must mail the required notice for the November 4, 2008 general
election on September 5, 2008. The statute specifically requires mailing on this date, the
60th day before the 2008 general election.
Requirements ofthe notices - R.C. 3501.19(B)
Pursuant to RC. 3501.19(B), the 6o-day notice must contain the following:
• The day of the election; and
• The location of the polling place for the precinct in which the elector is registered to vote.
This notice must be sent by nonforwardablemail and also must include the following statement,
printed in bold type:
Voters must bring identification to the polls in order to verify identity.
Identification may include a current and valid photo identification, a
military identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank
statement, government check, paycheck, or other government
document, other than this reminder or a voter registration
notification, that shows the voter's name and current address. Voters
who do not provide one of these documents will still be able to vote by
providing the last four digits of the voter's Social Security number and
by casting a provisional ballot. Voters who do not have any of the
above forms of identification, including a Social Security number, ""ill
still be able to vote by signing an affirmation swearing to the voter's
identity under penalty of election falsification and by casting a
provisional ballot.
Directive 2008-55 Implementation of Appropriation for Absentee Ballot Applications Page 2 of 8
The Secretary of State has prescribed the folIo-wing two forms for use by the boards as a template
for these notices:
• Form lO-K; and
• Combined Notice of Election and Absent Voter's Ballot Application.
Form lO-K is attached to this directive and may be accessed on the Secretary of State's BOE
Extranet, at http://server6.sos.state.oh.us/boe/electionsinfo/forms/forms.htm, and should be
used only by boards of elections not participating in the program for reimbursement of
postage costs set forth in Amended Substitute House Bill 562, which is explained in detail below.
The Combined Notice of Election and Absent Voter's Ballot Application is attached to this
directive and is also available on the Secretary of State's BOE Extranet at
http://insite/boe/cbeinfo/directives/2008/directives08.htm.This form MUST be used by
boards of elections participating in the program for reimbursement of postage costs set forth in
Amended Substitute House Bill 562, which is explained in detail below.
Exceptions: Electors to whom notices need not be sent - R.C. 3501.19(D)
The statute provides that a board is not required to send a 60-day notice to anyone who
registered to vote within 30 days prior to the applicable notice mailing deadline, which is
September 5, 2008. The 30th day before September 5, 2008, is August 6, 2008. All valid voter
registration forms or change of address or name forms received by a board of elections on or
before August 6,2008, qualify the registrant/elector to receive the 60-day notice.
Additionally, a board is not required to send another notice to an elector to whom a similar
notice was sent either in 2006 or in January of 2008 if that notice was returned to the board as
undeliverable AND the elector has not voted or updated his or her voter registration since the
prior notice was sent. The board's handling of returned notices is discussed below.
Notices returned to the board in 2006 or 2008 as undeliverable - R.C. 3501.19(C)
If a 60-day notice sent pursuant to R.C. 3501.19(A) is returned to the board as undeliverable, the
board must do the following:
1. Mark the voter's name in the official registration list and in the poll book to indicate
"Notice returned to board of elections;" and
2. Require a voter whose name has been so marked to provide identification at the first
election at which the voter appears in order to vote.
A voter whose name has been so marked is permitted to cast a regular ballot upon
producing a current and valid photo identification, a military identification, or a
copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or
other government document, other than a notice of an election or a notice of voter
registration mailed by a board of elections. Please see the directive currently in
effect on voter identification guidelines for further information and clarification
on permissible forms of identification for voting. Also, please note that Am. Sub.
H.B. 562, effective June 24, 2008, repeals requirements for an address on a
Directive 2008-55 Implementation of Appropriation for Absentee Ballot Applications Page 3 of8
military identification, so that a military identification, whether or not it contains
the voter's address, is an acceptable form ofvoter identification.
Alternatively, in accordance with both R.C. 3501.19(C) and R.c. 3505.18(A)(4), a voter whose
name has been marked in the poll book or in a poll list for a returned notice must be permitted
to cast a provisional ballot at the election if the voter complies with any of the following
procedures:
1. Provides a photo identification that does not contain the voter's current address, or
2. Provides the last four digits of the voter's Social Security number, or
3. Is unable to provide any of the required forms of identification, or
4. Refuses to provide any of the required forms of identification, or
5. Executes an affirmation that indicates that the voter does not have any of the specified
forms of identification and is unable to provide the last four digits of a Social Security
number.
Notice mailed under R.C. 3501.19 or 3503.19 is not a "government document" for
voter identification purposes - R.C. 3501.19(E) and 3505.18(A)(1)
The law specifically provides that a voter cannot use, and election officials shall not accept, a
notice that a board of elections mailed to the voter under either R.C. 3501.19(A) or 3503.19 as a
government document for the purpose of providing identification under the various sections
Title XXXV (35).
Implementation ofAppropriation for Absentee Ballot Applications
General Information
On June 10, 2008, the General Assembly adopted Amended Substitute House Bill 562 ("the
capital bill"). Governor Strickland signed the capital bill into law on June 24,2008. Among
other things, the capital bill appropriated $3 million in state funding to pay for some aspects
of the absentee voting process in Ohio. Specifically, the appropriation may be used for the
following two purposes:
• To pay for electors to return absentee ballot applications sent to them by
boards of elections if the boards sent the applications in conjunction with
notices required to be sent pursuant to R.C. 3501.19 (the 6o-day notice); and
• To pay postage costs incurred by boards of elections for sending absentee ballot
applications to voters if the boards sent the applications in conjunction with notices
required to be sent pursuant to R.C. 3501.19.
The capital bill required the Secretary of State to establish, in advance of September 5,
2008, the method by which the $3 million appropriation will be made available to the
boards. This directive establishes that method.
All counties are eligible to receive a portion of the appropriated $3 million. It should be
noted, however, that the $3 million appropriation is insufficient to compensate county
boards of elections for the mailing of a notice to every registered elector of the state
Directive 2008-55 Implementation of Appropriation for Absentee Ballot Applications Page 4 of 8
(currently 7.953 million registered electors), and it is insufficient to compensate county
boards of elections for this expense and the additional expense of paying electors' return
postage on absentee ballot applications. Therefore, this directive attempts to equitably
apportion reimbursement as is contemplated by this law.
Amount Available to Each County
In establishing an amount available to each county as required by Am. Sub. H.B. 562, a ratio
will be determined based on each county's number of registered electors as compared to the
state's total number of registered electors. This ratio will be applied to the total amount of
funds available ($3 million dollars) to make an initial determination of each county's share
of funds.
Boards of elections are not required to send 6o-day notices to electors who registered to
vote during the thirty-day period prior to sending the 6o-day notices. Accordingly, the date
for establishing each county's number of registered voters is August 6, 2008.
Each county board of elections is therefore eligible for a minimum amount of money in
proportion to the number of registered voters in the county on August 6, 2008, compared to
the total number of registered voters statewide on that date. For example, a county whose
registered electors comprise 10% of the total registered electors in Ohio on August 6, 2008,
is eligible to receive 10% of the $3 million appropriation, or $300,000. The Secretary of
State's office will inform each county of the minimum amount of appropriated funds
available to it on or shortly after August 6, 2008, but prior to September 5, 2008.
Priority ofUse ofFunds
The Secretary of State's office was not contacted about this appropriation or its enabling
language by whoever initiated it and we remain uncertain of the amendment's origins. It is
unfortunate for boards of elections that our office was not provided the opportunity to offer
suggestions or comments that may have improved the implementation of this law and
resulted in a realistic appropriation to support the intended use of the funds.
Regardless of these circumstances, our office believes it incumbent on the state's elections
officials to place the interests of the voters above administrative concerns of elections
officials, and therefore, because of the shortfall in state moneys to fully fund this new
mandate, our office has prioritized the uses of the funds available as follows:
• Each county board of elections participating in this program shall first use the
funds available to it to pay for postage for the return of any absent voter's
ballot application by a voter who received that application in conjunction with
a notice of election required to be mailed by boards of elections pursuant to
R.C. 3501.19; and
• Each county board of elections participating in this program may then use
the remainder of the funds available to it to pay the costs incurred in sending
an absent voter's ballot application to each voter in conjunction with a notice
of election pursuant to R.C. 3501.19.
Directive 2008-55 Implementation of Appropriation for Absentee Ballot Applications Page 5 of 8
A board of elections may not opt to participate in one aspect of the program and not the
other. For example, a board may not choose to use the funds only for the mailing of the
absentee ballot application in conjunction with the notice of election pursuant to R.C.
3501.19. Nor maya board use funds available from Am. Sub. H.B. 562 for return postage on
absentee ballot applications without first having sent absent voter's ballot applications in
conjunction with the R.C. 3501.19 notice of election.
For boards participating in the program, return postage on absentee ballot applications
must be paid in addition for all absent voter's ballot applications supplied by the
board of elections on or after August 6, 2008 through Saturday, November 1,
2008 at noon. The purpose of this policy is to avoid the potential for litigation contesting
the constitutionality of the application of Am. Sub. H.B. 562, based on denial of equal
protection under the law, to electors who register to vote or change their registration on or
after August 6, 2008 through October 6, 2008 to be eligible for the November general
election.
Form ofApplication
In order for boards of elections to take advantage of the funds appropriated for this
program, the General Assembly has required that the absent voter's ballot applications must
be mailed "in conjunction" with the notices of election required to be sent pursuant to R.C.
3501.19. The Secretary of State has prepared a prescribed form that combines the notice of
election and an absent voter's ballot application - the Combined Notice of Election and
Absent Voter's Ballot Application - and that must be used to qualify for reimbursement.
That form is attached to this directive.
Before using the attached prescribed form, boards of elections must add the address of their
office for the return of the absent voter's application, and must arrange for paying the
postage for the return of the application, whether by postal permit or by postal stamp.
In order for boards of elections to be reimbursed for the costs associated with sending
absent voter's ballot applications in conjunction with notices of election, boards of elections
must use the form prescribed by this office. This requirement will serve multiple purposes,
including, among others:
• Using the prescribed form will ensure that the number of absent voter's ballot
applications returned to boards of elections as part of this program is accurately
documented;
• Using the prescribed form will limit the costs associated with the mailing of the
applications to voters by ensuring that boards of elections are not sending separate
mailings when they must be combined to receive reimbursement; and
• Using the prescribed form will reduce the amount of money boards of elections must
otherwise spend to mail R.C. 3501.19 notices.
This office recommends using postal permits both for mailing absent voter's ballot
applications to voters under this program and for the return of absent voter's ballots under
this program. This will simplify the process of tracking and reporting the following:
Directive 2008-55 Implementation of Appropriation for Absentee Ballot Applications Page 6 of8
• The number of applications sent to voters;
• The number of returned applications under this program; and
• The costs associated with the mailing and return of applications under this program.
Another significant benefit of using a postal permit for this program is that by doing so
boards of elections will only be required to pay for postage for applications actually returned
to them by voters. In contrast, if a board of elections uses stamps, that board must ensure
that every application mailed has affixed to it postage sufficient in amount to pay for the
application's return whether or not that application is returned by a voter.
If a board of elections uses stamps to allow voters to return absent voter's ballot applications
at no cost to the voter, that board of elections must first confirm with the U.S. Postal Service
the correct amount of postage for voters in the county to return the application to the board
of elections. That board must also then ensure that stamps sufficient in amount to pay for
the return of applications under this program are adhered to each application mailed under
this program. Further, boards of elections must track the following:
• How many applications it sends to voters under this program;
• How many stamps it places on each application for return postage; and
• The value of the stamps used.
To obtain reimbursement under this program, counties must report to the Secretary of State
the costs incurred for this program, as discussed below. The Secretary of State will
reimburse boards of elections for eligible postal expenses incurred under this program, to
the extent possible based on Amended Substitute House Bill 562 funding. Reimbursement
will be made during the current fiscal year for boards of elections, to the extent possible.
Tracking, Accounting and Reporting
Boards of elections opting to take advantage of the funding provided by Am. Sub. H.B. 562
must carefully track postage paid for the return of absent voter's applications by electors.
This expense will be paid first.
Boards of elections choosing to participate in this program must also carefully track postage
paid to mail absent voter's ballot applications sent in conjunction with notices of election
pursuant to R.C. 3501.19.
Any other expenses related to return and mailing of absentee ballot applications should be
accounted for separately.
The initial allocation provided to you is based on an initial assumption that all counties will
participate. It is anticipated, however, that not all counties will participate in this program.
Funds not used by counties that opt not to participate will become available for counties
that do participate and will be distributed proportionately, according to a participating
county's ratio of registered electors to the total number of registered electors in counties
participating in this program. No county will be reimbursed in an amount in excess of its
Directive 2008-55 Implementation of Appropriation for Absentee Ballot Applications Page 7 of8
documented reimbursable expenses, and thus, any further amount allocated to a county but
not used will be available to other participating counties on a pro rata basis.
By September 30, 2008, all boards of elections participating in this program must report to
the Secretary of State the following three items of information:
• The number of absent voter's ballot applications mailed to voters as part of this
program (that number should match the number of registered voters in the county
on August 6, 2008);
• The cost of postage for mailing each absent voter's ballot application mailed under
this program; and
• Any additional costs associated with mailing the applications, and these costs should
be itemized by type and amount.
If the Secretary of State's office does not receive this information from your board by
September 30, 2008, we will assume that your board is not participating in this program,
and your county will forego the funds available to your county at that time. Funds initially
made available to counties that do not participate in the program will be reallocated to
counties that are participating in the program.
By November 28, 2008 all boards of elections participating in this program must report to
the Secretary of State the following three items of information:
• The number of absent voter's ballot applications returned to boards of elections
under this program;
• The cost of postage for the return mailing of each absent voter's application returned
under this program;
• Any additional costs associated with the return mailing of the applications, and these
costs should be itemized by type and amount.
The reports due from participating boards of elections on September 30 and November 28
shall be made on forms prescribed by the secretary of state. Those forms will be provided in
early September 2008. The directive accompanying those reporting forms will also provide
detailed information about when and to whom boards of elections should send those
reports.
Reallocation
As the number of boards of elections participating in this program is determined, as well as
the extent of costs incurred by each participating board, our office will reallocate to
participating counties any unused remaining funds until the $3 million appropriate is
depleted.
Reimbursement
All counties participating in this program will be reimbursed for the costs incurred, to the
extent possible, during the current fiscal year for boards of elections.
Directive 2008-55 Implementation of Appropriation for Absentee Ballot Applications Page 8 of 8
Participation is not Mandatory
The capital bill does not mandate that all boards of elections send an absent voter's ballot
application to each voter. Rather, the capital bill simply instructs that if boards of elections
do so, in conjunction with the notices of election sent pursuant to R.C. 3501.19, some or all
of the postage to do so may be paid for using money appropriated in the capital bill.
If you have any questions about interpreting or implementing this directive, please contact
the Secretary of State elections attorney assigned to assist your county.
Sincerely,
fr+~
Jennifer Brunner
Form No. lO-K Prescribed by Secretary of State (07-08)
NOTICE OF ELECTION AND
IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
R.c. 3501.19
Attention Board of Elections:
Below is a TEMPLATE that the board of elections may use in creating the notice that the board must mail to
voters pursuant to R.C. 3501.19. At a minimum, the notice must contain the date of the election, the voter's
precinct and precinct polling location, and the statutorily mandated notice of identification requirements.
A board of elections may add other information that, in the opinion of the board, will be helpful to the voter; for
example, the board of elections' address and contact information, hours of operation, polling place hours, etc.
Instructions and Deadlines:
The board of elections shall send by nonforwardablemail a written notice to each registered elector eligible to
vote in the election listed below, on the 60th day before such election:
For the November 4,2008 general election September 5, 2008
Exception (R.C. 3501.19(D)): A board is not required to send a notice of an election to an elector who
registered to vote within 30 days (August 6, 2008) immediately before the notice mailing date for this election.
Date of Election
Your Precinct
Name and address of your polling location
Voters must bring identification to the polls in order to verify identity. Identification may include a
current and valid photo identification, a military identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank
statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than this reminder or a
voter registration notification, that shows the voter's name and current address. Voters who do not
provide one of these documents will still be able to vote by providing the last four digits of the voter's
social security number and by casting a provisional ballot. Voters who do not have any of the above
forms of identification, including a social security number, will still be able to vote by signing an
affirmation swearing to the voter's identity under penalty of election falsification and by casting a
provisional ballot.
County Board of Elections
Street Address
City, Ohio ZIP
DATE OF GENERAL ELECTION:
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
ti-
~ ~ - . .
~,QliECfrtiN~L"
. . .' ","'us _ 0(:
PERMIT
NUMBER OR
POSTAGE
STAMP
PRECINCT:
VOTING LOCATION:
VOTER NAME
VOTER ADDRESS
VOTER CITY, STATE ZIP
APPLICATION FOR ABSENT VOTER'S BALLOT
PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE (See Instructions on Opposite Side of Card)
send Ballot to: (if different from home address)
Name _
care of/PO Box _
Address _
Zip Code City State Zip Code. _
Voter's Name _
Home Address _
City, Village, Office _
County
You must provide your birthdate: / / and one of the following:
(month) (day) (year)
• Your Ohio driver's license number , or
(located left hand side, middle of card beginning with two letters)
• The last four digits of your social security number , or
• Copy of a current and valid photo identification, military identification, or a current (within the last 12 months) utility bill,
bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document (other than a voter registration notification
mailed by a board of elections) that shows your name and current address.
I wish to have a ballot mailed to me at the address listed above for the November 4, 2008 general election. I
understand that if a ballot is mailed to me and I change my mind and appear at my polling place to vote on November
4, 2008 on Election Day, I will be required to vote a provisional ballot that can not be counted until at least 10 days
after the election.
I hereby declare, under penalty of election falsification, I am a qualified voter and the statements above are
true to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that if I do not provide the requested information, my
application cannot be processed.
x. _
Signature of Voter Date Signed
Voluntary: To assist the board of elections in contacting you in a timely manner if your application is incomplete:
Your daytime telephone number (__) Your e-mail address _
WHOEVER COMMITS ELECTION FALSIFICATION IS GUILTY OF A FELONY OF THE FIFTH DEGREE
Voter's Return Address:
________________________
________________________
________________________
POSTAGE
PAID
COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
ATTN: ABSENTEE DEPARTMENT
STREET ADDRESS
CITY, OHIO ZIP
Notice of Election and Identifi cation Requirements
R.C. 3501.19
Voters must bring identifi cation to the polls in order to verify identity. Identifi cation may include a
current and valid photo identifi cation, a military identifi cation, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank
statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than this reminder or
a voter registration notifi cation, that shows the voter's name and current address. Voters who do not
provide one of these documents will still be able to vote by providing the last four digits of the voter's
social security number and by casting a provisional ballot. Voters who do not have any of the above forms
of identifi cation, including a social security number, will still be able to vote by signing an affi rmation
swearing to the voter's identity under penalty of election falsifi cation and by casting a provisional ballot.
Instructions for Completing Absent Voter's Ballot Application:
1. To be valid, your absent voter's application must include your name, voting residence address, date of birth, and signature;
the election for which the ballot is requested and, if a partisan primary election, your political party affi liation; statement you
are a qualifi ed elector in the county; and one of the following: your Ohio drivers license number, the last four digits of your social
security number, or a copy of your current and valid photo identifi cation, a military identifi cation, or a current (within the
last 12 months) utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document (other than a voter
registration notifi cation mailed by a board of elections) that shows your name and address.
2. An application by mail must be received by your county board of elections by noon on the third day before the election. An
application by you in person must be received by the close of regular board offi ce hours the day before the election. Applications
for persons who are hospitalized or for persons whose minor child is hospitalized due to an accident or unforeseeable
medical emergency will be accepted until 3 p.m. on Election Day.
3. When you receive your ballot: If you return it by mail, it must be postmarked* no later than November 3, 2008 (the day before
the election) and received by the board of elections no later than 10 days after the election. If you return it in person or
if a near relative delivers it to the board for you, it must be delivered to the board of elections no later than the close of polls
on Election Day. If you are a voter outside the U.S. on Election Day, your ballot envelope must be signed and postmarked by
the close of polls on Election Day.
*Postmarked does not include a date marked by a postage evidence system such as a postage meter.
Complete and Return the Postage Paid Absent Voter's Ballot Application on the Opposite Side of the Card Below
If you have any questions
regarding this application,
please contact:
County Board of Elections
Street Address
City, Ohio ZIP
Phone:
Fax:
APPLICATION FOR ABSENT VOTER'S BALLOT
PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE (See Instructions on Opposite Side of Card)
Send Ballot to: (if different from home address)
Voter's Name ______________________________________ Name ______________________________________
Home Address ________________________________ care of/PO Box ________________________
City, Village, Offi ce _________________________________ Address ____________________________________
County ___________________Zip Code ____________ City________________State______Zip Code_______
You must provide your birthdate:___________/__________/__________ and one of the following:
(month) (day) (year)
• Your Ohio driver's license number__________________________ , or
(located left hand side, middle of card beginning with two letters)
• The last four digits of your social security number _______________________, or
• Copy of a current and valid photo identifi cation, military identifi cation, or a current (within the last 12 months) utility bill,
bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document (other than a voter registration notifi cation
mailed by a board of elections) that shows your name and current address.
I wish to have a ballot mailed to me at the address listed above for the November 4, 2008 general election. I
understand that if a ballot is mailed to me and I change my mind and appear at my polling place to vote on November
4, 2008 on Election Day, I will be required to vote a provisional ballot that can not be counted until at least 10 days
after the election.
I hereby declare, under penalty of election falsifi cation, I am a qualifi ed voter and the statements above are
true to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that if I do not provide the requested information, my
application cannot be processed.
X____________________________________________________ _____________________
Signature of Voter Date Signed
Voluntary: To assist the board of elections in contacting you in a timely manner if your application is incomplete:
Your daytime telephone number (___ _)__________________ Your e-mail address _________________________
WHOEVER COMMITS ELECTION FALSIFICATION IS GUILTY OF A FELONY OF THE FIFTH DEGREE
County Board of Elections
Street Address
City, Ohio ZIP
DATE OF GENERAL ELECTION:
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
PRECINCT:
VOTING LOCATION:
VOTER NAME
VOTER ADDRESS
VOTER CITY, STATE ZIP
PERMIT
NUMBER OR
POSTAGE
STAMP
Form No. 10-K Prescribed by Secretary of State (07-08)
NOTICE OF ELECTION AND
IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
R.C. 3501.19
Date of Election __________________________________
Your Precinct __________________________________
Name and address of your polling location ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Voters must bring identification to the polls in order to verify identity. Identification may include a
current and valid photo identification, a military identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank
statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than this reminder or a
voter registration notification, that shows the voter's name and current address. Voters who do not
provide one of these documents will still be able to vote by providing the last four digits of the voter's
social security number and by casting a provisional ballot. Voters who do not have any of the above
forms of identification, including a social security number, will still be able to vote by signing an
affirmation swearing to the voter's identity under penalty of election falsification and by casting a
provisional ballot.
Attention Board of Elections:
Below is a TEMPLATE that the board of elections may use in creating the notice that the board must mail to
voters pursuant to R.C. 3501.19. At a minimum, the notice must contain the date of the election, the voter's
precinct and precinct polling location, and the statutorily mandated notice of identification requirements.
A board of elections may add other information that, in the opinion of the board, will be helpful to the voter; for
example, the board of elections' address and contact information, hours of operation, polling place hours, etc.
Instructions and Deadlines:
The board of elections shall send by nonforwardable mail a written notice to each registered elector eligible to
vote in the election listed below, on the 60th day before such election:
For the November 4, 2008 general election………..September 5, 2008
Exception (R.C. 3501.19(D)): A board is not required to send a notice of an election to an elector who
registered to vote within 30 days (August 6, 2008) immediately before the notice mailing date for this election.

I wonder if any media outlet has spilled the beans addressing the Ohio General Assembly passing a financial incentive partially funding Combined Notice of Election and Application for Absentee Voting. From what I understand, if any of Ohio's 88 counties opt in, these Combined mailings of the Notice of Election and Application for Absentee Voting on't go to all individuals. It appears to be based upon their Voter Registration dates. However, in Hamilton County Ohio in the WCPO.COM article above saus that John Williams (deputy director of the Hamilton County Ohio BOE) said they'll be sending applications for absentee voting out to all registered voters.
According to the SOS, the legislation was passed without her input, is voluntary in nature but comes with very strict acceptance rules.