The bill amends the Revised Code to enhance the process for returning marked absent voter's ballots in Ohio. It allows voters to return their ballots to any polling place within their county during election hours, requiring precinct election officials to place these ballots in a secure container designated for this purpose. After the polls close, these containers will be delivered to the board of elections. The bill also mandates the display of signs at polling places to inform voters about the ballot return process, which does not require waiting in line or completing forms. Additionally, it clarifies that voters can return their ballots through family members or authorized individuals and emphasizes the use of recorded video surveillance to monitor secure receptacles for transparency and security.

Furthermore, the bill outlines specific procedures for handling uniformed services and overseas absent voter's ballots, stating that these must be delivered to a polling place or the board of elections office by the close of polls on election day to be counted. It establishes that ballots received after this deadline will be preserved until destruction, and voters must sign the identification envelope by the close of polls. The bill also allows for ballots to be valid if received within four days after election day, provided the identification envelope is signed by the close of polls. It repeals existing sections of the Revised Code related to these procedures, streamlining absentee voting for uniformed services and overseas voters.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3505.18, 3505.31, 3509.05, 3511.09, 3511.11