To amend sections 3501.05, 3501.29, 3501.90, 3503.16, 3504.04, 3505.03, 3505.181, 3505.182, 3505.20, 3509.01, 3509.02, 3509.021, 3509.022, 3509.03, 3509.031, 3509.04, 3509.05, 3509.06, 3509.07, 3509.08, 3509.09, 3511.01, 3511.02, 3511.03, 3511.04, 3511.05, 3511.051, 3511.06, 3511.08, 3511.09, 3511.10, 3511.11, 3511.12, 3511.13, 3513.052, 3513.15, 3513.30, 3515.01, 3517.08, 3599.11, 3599.12, and 3599.21 of the Revised Code to change the name of absent voter's ballots to early voting ballots.

Section 1. That sections 3501.05, 3501.29, 3501.90, 3503.16, 3504.04, 3505.03, 3505.181, 3505.182, 3505.20, 3509.01, 3509.02, 3509.021, 3509.022, 3509.03, 3509.031, 3509.04, 3509.05, 3509.06, 3509.07, 3509.08, 3509.09, 3511.01, 3511.02, 3511.03, 3511.04, 3511.05, 3511.051, 3511.06, 3511.08, 3511.09, 3511.10, 3511.11, 3511.12, 3511.13, 3513.052, 3513.15, 3513.30, 3515.01, 3517.08, 3599.11, 3599.12, and 3599.21 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:

Sec. 3501.05.  The secretary of state shall do all of the following:

(A) Appoint all members of boards of elections;

(B) Issue instructions by directives and advisories to members of the boards as to the proper methods of conducting elections. In addition to any other publication of those directives and advisories, the secretary of state shall publish those directives and advisories on a web site of the office of the secretary of state as soon as is practicable after they are issued, but not later than the close of business on the same day as a directive or advisory is issued. The secretary of state shall not remove from the web site any directives and advisories so posted. The secretary of state shall provide on that web site access to all directives and advisories currently in effect and maintain an archive of all directives and advisories previously published on that web site.

(C) Prepare rules and instructions for the conduct of elections;

(D) Publish and furnish to the boards from time to time a sufficient number of indexed copies of all election laws then in force;

(E) Edit and issue all pamphlets concerning proposed laws or amendments required by law to be submitted to the voters;

(F) Prescribe the form of registration cards, blanks, and records;

(G) Determine and prescribe the forms of ballots and the forms of all blanks, cards of instructions, pollbooks, tally sheets, certificates of election, and forms and blanks required by law for use by candidates, committees, and boards;

(H) Prepare the ballot title or statement to be placed on the ballot for any proposed law or amendment to the constitution to be submitted to the voters of the state;

(I) Except as otherwise provided in section 3519.08 of the Revised Code, certify to the several boards the forms of ballots and names of candidates for state offices, and the form and wording of state referendum questions and issues, as they shall appear on the ballot;

(J) Except as otherwise provided in division (I)(2)(b) of section 3501.38 of the Revised Code, give final approval to ballot language for any local question or issue approved and transmitted by boards of elections under section 3501.11 of the Revised Code;

(K) Receive all initiative and referendum petitions on state questions and issues and determine and certify to the sufficiency of those petitions;

(L) Require such reports from the several boards as are provided by law, or as the secretary of state considers necessary;

(M) Compel the observance by election officers in the several counties of the requirements of the election laws;

(N)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (N)(2) of this section, investigate the administration of election laws, frauds, and irregularities in elections in any county, and report violations of election laws to the attorney general or prosecuting attorney, or both, for prosecution;

(2) On and after August 24, 1995, report a failure to comply with or a violation of a provision in sections 3517.08 to 3517.13, 3517.17, 3517.18, 3517.20 to 3517.22, 3599.03, or 3599.031 of the Revised Code, whenever the secretary of state has or should have knowledge of a failure to comply with or a violation of a provision in one of those sections, by filing a complaint with the Ohio elections commission under section 3517.153 of the Revised Code;.

(O) Make an annual report to the governor containing the results of elections, the cost of elections in the various counties, a tabulation of the votes in the several political subdivisions, and other information and recommendations relative to elections the secretary of state considers desirable;

(P) Prescribe and distribute to boards of elections a list of instructions indicating all legal steps necessary to petition successfully for local option elections under sections 4301.32 to 4301.41, 4303.29, 4305.14, and 4305.15 of the Revised Code;

(Q) Adopt rules pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code for the removal by boards of elections of ineligible voters from the statewide voter registration database and, if applicable, from the poll list or signature pollbook used in each precinct, which rules shall provide for all of the following:

(1) A process for the removal of voters who have changed residence, which shall be uniform, nondiscriminatory, and in compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, including a program that uses the national change of address service provided by the United States postal system through its licensees;

(2) A process for the removal of ineligible voters under section 3503.21 of the Revised Code;

(3) A uniform system for marking or removing the name of a voter who is ineligible to vote from the statewide voter registration database and, if applicable, from the poll list or signature pollbook used in each precinct and noting the reason for that mark or removal.

(R) Prescribe a general program for registering voters or updating voter registration information, such as name and residence changes, by boards of elections, designated agencies, offices of deputy registrars of motor vehicles, public high schools and vocational schools, public libraries, and offices of county treasurers consistent with the requirements of section 3503.09 of the Revised Code;

(S) Prescribe a program of distribution of voter registration forms through boards of elections, designated agencies, offices of the registrar and deputy registrars of motor vehicles, public high schools and vocational schools, public libraries, and offices of county treasurers;

(T) To the extent feasible, provide copies, at no cost and upon request, of the voter registration form in post offices in this state;

(U) Adopt rules pursuant to section 111.15 of the Revised Code for the purpose of implementing the program for registering voters through boards of elections, designated agencies, and the offices of the registrar and deputy registrars of motor vehicles consistent with this chapter;

(V) Establish the full-time position of Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator within the office of the secretary of state to do all of the following:

(1) Assist the secretary of state with ensuring that there is equal access to polling places for persons with disabilities;

(2) Assist the secretary of state with ensuring that each voter may cast the voter's ballot in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation, including privacy and independence, as for other voters;

(3) Advise the secretary of state in the development of standards for the certification of voting machines, marking devices, and automatic tabulating equipment.

(W) Establish and maintain a computerized statewide database of all legally registered voters under section 3503.15 of the Revised Code that complies with the requirements of the "Help America Vote Act of 2002," Pub. L. No. 107-252, 116 Stat. 1666, and provide training in the operation of that system;

(X) Ensure that all directives, advisories, other instructions, or decisions issued or made during or as a result of any conference or teleconference call with a board of elections to discuss the proper methods and procedures for conducting elections, to answer questions regarding elections, or to discuss the interpretation of directives, advisories, or other instructions issued by the secretary of state are posted on a web site of the office of the secretary of state as soon as is practicable after the completion of the conference or teleconference call, but not later than the close of business on the same day as the conference or teleconference call takes place.;

(Y) Publish a report on a web site of the office of the secretary of state not later than one month after the completion of the canvass of the election returns for each primary and general election, identifying, by county, the number of absent voter's early voting ballots cast and the number of those ballots that were counted, and the number of provisional ballots cast and the number of those ballots that were counted, for that election. The secretary of state shall maintain the information on the web site in an archive format for each subsequent election.;

(Z) Conduct voter education outlining voter identification, absent voters ballot early voting, provisional ballot, and other voting requirements;

(AA) Establish a procedure by which a registered elector may make available to a board of elections a more recent signature to be used in the poll list or signature pollbook produced by the board of elections of the county in which the elector resides;

(BB) Disseminate information, which may include all or part of the official explanations and arguments, by means of direct mail or other written publication, broadcast, or other means or combination of means, as directed by the Ohio ballot board under division (F) of section 3505.062 of the Revised Code, in order to inform the voters as fully as possible concerning each proposed constitutional amendment, proposed law, or referendum;

(CC) Perform other duties required by law.

Whenever a primary election is held under section 3513.32 of the Revised Code or a special election is held under section 3521.03 of the Revised Code to fill a vacancy in the office of representative to congress, the secretary of state shall establish a deadline, notwithstanding any other deadline required under the Revised Code, by which any or all of the following shall occur: the filing of a declaration of candidacy and petitions or a statement of candidacy and nominating petition together with the applicable filing fee; the filing of protests against the candidacy of any person filing a declaration of candidacy or nominating petition; the filing of a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate; the filing of campaign finance reports; the preparation of, and the making of corrections or challenges to, precinct voter registration lists; the receipt of applications for absent voter's early voting ballots or armed service absent voter's early voting ballots; the supplying of election materials to precincts by boards of elections; the holding of hearings by boards of elections to consider challenges to the right of a person to appear on a voter registration list; and the scheduling of programs to instruct or reinstruct election officers.

In the performance of the secretary of state's duties as the chief election officer, the secretary of state may administer oaths, issue subpoenas, summon witnesses, compel the production of books, papers, records, and other evidence, and fix the time and place for hearing any matters relating to the administration and enforcement of the election laws.

In any controversy involving or arising out of the adoption of registration or the appropriation of funds for registration, the secretary of state may, through the attorney general, bring an action in the name of the state in the court of common pleas of the county where the cause of action arose or in an adjoining county, to adjudicate the question.

In any action involving the laws in Title XXXV of the Revised Code wherein the interpretation of those laws is in issue in such a manner that the result of the action will affect the lawful duties of the secretary of state or of any board of elections, the secretary of state may, on the secretary of state's motion, be made a party.

The secretary of state may apply to any court that is hearing a case in which the secretary of state is a party, for a change of venue as a substantive right, and the change of venue shall be allowed, and the case removed to the court of common pleas of an adjoining county named in the application or, if there are cases pending in more than one jurisdiction that involve the same or similar issues, the court of common pleas of Franklin county.

Public high schools and vocational schools, public libraries, and the office of a county treasurer shall implement voter registration programs as directed by the secretary of state pursuant to this section.

Sec. 3501.29.  (A) The board of elections shall provide for each precinct a polling place and provide adequate facilities at each polling place for conducting the election. The board shall provide a sufficient number of screened or curtained voting compartments to which electors may retire and conveniently mark their ballots, protected from the observation of others. Each voting compartment shall be provided at all times with writing implements, instructions how to vote, and other necessary conveniences for marking the ballot. The presiding judge shall ensure that the voting compartments at all times are adequately lighted and contain the necessary supplies. The board shall utilize, in so far as practicable, rooms in public schools and other public buildings for polling places. Upon application of the board of elections, the authority which has the control of any building or grounds supported by taxation under the laws of this state, shall make available the necessary space therein for the purpose of holding elections and adequate space for the storage of voting machines, without charge for the use thereof. A reasonable sum may be paid for necessary janitorial service. When polling places are established in private buildings, the board may pay a reasonable rental therefor, and also the cost of liability insurance covering the premises when used for election purposes, or the board may purchase a single liability policy covering the board and the owners of the premises when used for election purposes. When removable buildings are supplied by the board, they shall be constructed under the contract let to the lowest and best bidder, and the board shall observe all ordinances and regulations then in force as to safety. The board shall remove all such buildings from streets and other public places within thirty days after an election, unless another election is to be held within ninety days.

(B)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the board shall ensure all of the following:

(a) That polling places are free of barriers that would impede ingress and egress of handicapped persons;

(b) That the minimum number of special parking locations, also known as handicapped parking spaces or disability parking spaces, for handicapped persons are designated at each polling place in accordance with 28 C.F.R. Part 36, Appendix A, and in compliance with division (E) of section 4511.69 of the Revised Code.;

(c) That the entrances of polling places are level or are provided with a nonskid ramp of not over eight per cent gradient;

(d) That doors are a minimum of thirty-two inches wide.

(2) Notwithstanding division (B)(1)(a), (c), or (d) of this section, certain polling places may be specifically exempted by the secretary of state upon certification by a board of elections that a good faith, but unsuccessful, effort has been made to modify, or change the location of, such polling places.

(C) At any polling place that is exempted from compliance by the secretary of state, the board of elections shall permit any handicapped elector who travels to that elector's polling place, but who is unable to enter the polling place, to vote, with the assistance of two polling place officials of major political parties, in the vehicle that conveyed that elector to the polling place, or to receive and cast that elector's ballot at the door of the polling place.

(D) The secretary of state shall:

(1) Work with other state agencies to facilitate the distribution of information and technical assistance to boards of elections to meet the requirements of division (B) of this section;

(2) Work with organizations that represent or provide services to handicapped, disabled, or elderly citizens to effect a wide dissemination of information about the availability of absentee early voting, voting in the voter's vehicle or at the door of the polling place, or other election services to handicapped, disabled, or elderly citizens.

(E) Before the day of an election, the director of the board of elections of each county shall sign a statement verifying that each polling place that will be used in that county at that election meets the requirements of division (B)(1)(b) of this section. The signed statement shall be sent to the secretary of state by certified mail.

(F) As used in this section, "handicapped" means having lost the use of one or both legs, one or both arms, or any combination thereof, or being blind or so severely disabled as to be unable to move about without the aid of crutches or a wheelchair.

Sec. 3501.90. (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Harassment in violation of the election law" means either of the following:

(a) Any of the following types of conduct in or about a polling place or a place of registration or election: obstructing access of an elector to a polling place; another improper practice or attempt tending to obstruct, intimidate, or interfere with an elector in registering or voting at a place of registration or election; molesting or otherwise engaging in violence against observers in the performance of their duties at a place of registration or election; or participating in a riot, violence, tumult, or disorder in and about a place of registration or election;

(b) A violation of division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (5) or division (B) of section 3501.35 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Person" has the same meaning as in division (C) of section 1.59 of the Revised Code and also includes any organization that is not otherwise covered by that division.

(3) "Trier of fact" means the jury or, in a nonjury action, the court.

(B) An elector who has experienced harassment in violation of the election law has a cause of action against each person that committed the harassment in violation of the election law. In any civil action based on this cause of action, the elector may seek a declaratory judgment, an injunction, or other appropriate equitable relief. The civil action may be commenced by an elector who has experienced harassment in violation of the election law either alone or as a party to a class action under Civil Rule 23.

(C)(1) In addition to the equitable relief authorized by division (B) of this section, an elector who has experienced harassment in violation of the election law may be entitled to relief under division (C)(2) or (3) of this section.

(2) If the harassment in violation of the election law involved intentional or reckless threatening or causing of bodily harm to the elector while the elector was attempting to register to vote, to obtain an absent voter's early voting ballot, or to vote, the elector may seek, in a civil action based on the cause of action created by division (B) of this section, monetary damages as prescribed in this division. The civil action may be commenced by the elector who has experienced harassment in violation of the election law either alone or as a party to a class action under Civil Rule 23. Upon proof by a preponderance of the evidence in the civil action that the harassment in violation of the election law involved intentional or reckless threatening or causing of bodily harm to the elector, the trier of fact shall award the elector the greater of three times of the amount of the elector's actual damages or one thousand dollars. The court also shall award a prevailing elector reasonable attorney's fees and court costs.

(3) Whether a civil action on the cause of action created by division (B) of this section is commenced by an elector who has experienced harassment in violation of the election law alone or as a party to a class action under Civil Rule 23, if the defendant in the action is an organization that has previously been determined in a court of this state to have engaged in harassment in violation of the election law, the elector may seek an order of the court granting any of the following forms of relief upon proof by a preponderance of the evidence:

(a) Divestiture of the organization's interest in any enterprise or in any real property;

(b) Reasonable restrictions upon the future activities or investments of the organization, including, but not limited to, prohibiting the organization from engaging in any harassment in violation of the election law;

(c) The dissolution or reorganization of the organization;

(d) The suspension or revocation of any license, permit, or prior approval granted to the organization by any state agency;

(e) The revocation of the organization's authorization to do business in this state if the organization is a foreign corporation or other form of foreign entity.

(D) It shall not be a defense in a civil action based on the cause of action created by division (B) of this section, whether commenced by an elector who has experienced harassment in violation of the election law alone or as a party to a class action under Civil Rule 23, that no criminal prosecution was commenced or conviction obtained in connection with the conduct alleged to be the basis of the civil action.

(E) In a civil action based on the cause of action created by division (B) of this section, whether commenced by an elector who has experienced harassment in violation of the election law alone or as a party to a class action under Civil Rule 23, the elector may name as defendants each individual who engaged in conduct constituting harassment in violation of the election law as well as any person that employs, sponsors, or uses as an agent any such individual or that has organized a common scheme to cause harassment in violation of the election law.

Sec. 3503.16.  (A) Whenever a registered elector changes the place of residence of that registered elector from one precinct to another within a county or from one county to another, or has a change of name, that registered elector shall report the change by delivering a change of residence or change of name form, whichever is appropriate, as prescribed by the secretary of state under section 3503.14 of the Revised Code to the state or local office of a designated agency, a public high school or vocational school, a public library, the office of the county treasurer, the office of the secretary of state, any office of the registrar or deputy registrar of motor vehicles, or any office of a board of elections in person or by a third person. Any voter registration, change of address, or change of name application, returned by mail, may be sent only to the secretary of state or the board of elections.

A registered elector also may update the registration of that registered elector by filing a change of residence or change of name form on the day of a special, primary, or general election at the polling place in the precinct in which that registered elector resides or at the board of elections or at another site designated by the board.

(B)(1)(a) Any registered elector who moves within a precinct on or prior to the day of a general, primary, or special election and has not filed a notice of change of residence with the board of elections may vote in that election by going to that registered elector's assigned polling place, completing and signing a notice of change of residence, showing identification in the form of a current and valid photo identification, a military identification that shows the voter's name and current address, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than a notice of an election mailed by a board of elections under section 3501.19 of the Revised Code or a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections under section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, that shows the name and current address of the elector, and casting a ballot. If the elector provides either a driver's license or a state identification card issued under section 4507.50 of the Revised Code that does not contain the elector's current residence address, the elector shall provide the last four digits of the elector's driver's license number or state identification card number, and the precinct election official shall mark the poll list or signature pollbook to indicate that the elector has provided a driver's license or state identification card number with a former address and record the last four digits of the elector's driver's license number or state identification card number.

(b) Any registered elector who changes the name of that registered elector and remains within a precinct on or prior to the day of a general, primary, or special election and has not filed a notice of change of name with the board of elections may vote in that election by going to that registered elector's assigned polling place, completing and signing a notice of a change of name, and casting a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code.

(2) Any registered elector who moves from one precinct to another within a county or moves from one precinct to another and changes the name of that registered elector on or prior to the day of a general, primary, or special election and has not filed a notice of change of residence or change of name, whichever is appropriate, with the board of elections may vote in that election if that registered elector complies with division (G) of this section or does all of the following:

(a) Appears at anytime during regular business hours on or after the twenty-eighth day prior to the election in which that registered elector wishes to vote or, if the election is held on the day of a presidential primary election, the twenty-fifth day prior to the election, through noon of the Saturday prior to the election at the office of the board of elections, appears at any time during regular business hours on the Monday prior to the election at the office of the board of elections, or appears on the day of the election at either of the following locations:

(i) The polling place in the precinct in which that registered elector resides;

(ii) The office of the board of elections or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of the office of the board of elections.

(b) Completes and signs, under penalty of election falsification, a notice of change of residence or change of name, whichever is appropriate, and files it with election officials at the polling place, at the office of the board of elections, or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of the office of the board of elections, whichever is appropriate;

(c) Votes a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code at the polling place, at the office of the board of elections, or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of the office of the board of elections, whichever is appropriate, using the address to which that registered elector has moved or the name of that registered elector as changed, whichever is appropriate;

(d) Completes and signs, under penalty of election falsification, a statement attesting that that registered elector moved or had a change of name, whichever is appropriate, on or prior to the day of the election, has voted a provisional ballot at the polling place in the precinct in which that registered elector resides, at the office of the board of elections, or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of the office of the board of elections, whichever is appropriate, and will not vote or attempt to vote at any other location for that particular election. The statement required under division (B)(2)(d) of this section shall be included on the notice of change of residence or change of name, whichever is appropriate, required under division (B)(2)(b) of this section.

(C) Any registered elector who moves from one county to another county within the state on or prior to the day of a general, primary, or special election and has not registered to vote in the county to which that registered elector moved may vote in that election if that registered elector complies with division (G) of this section or does all of the following:

(1) Appears at any time during regular business hours on or after the twenty-eighth day prior to the election in which that registered elector wishes to vote or, if the election is held on the day of a presidential primary election, the twenty-fifth day prior to the election, through noon of the Saturday prior to the election at the office of the board of elections or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of the office of the board of elections, appears during regular business hours on the Monday prior to the election at the office of the board of elections or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of the office of the board of elections, or appears on the day of the election at the office of the board of elections or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of the office of the board of elections;

(2) Completes and signs, under penalty of election falsification, a notice of change of residence and files it with election officials at the board of elections or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of the office of the board of elections;

(3) Votes a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code at the office of the board of elections or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of the office of the board of elections, using the address to which that registered elector has moved;

(4) Completes and signs, under penalty of election falsification, a statement attesting that that registered elector has moved from one county to another county within the state on or prior to the day of the election, has voted at the office of the board of elections or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location instead of the office of the board of elections, and will not vote or attempt to vote at any other location for that particular election. The statement required under division (C)(4) of this section shall be included on the notice of change of residence required under division (C)(2) of this section.

(D) A person who votes by absent voter's early voting ballots pursuant to division (G) of this section shall not make written application for the ballots pursuant to Chapter 3509. of the Revised Code. Ballots cast pursuant to division (G) of this section shall be set aside in a special envelope and counted during the official canvass of votes in the manner provided for in sections 3505.32 and 3509.06 of the Revised Code insofar as that manner is applicable. The board shall examine the pollbooks to verify that no ballot was cast at the polls or by absent voter's early voting ballots under Chapter 3509. or 3511. of the Revised Code by an elector who has voted by absent voter's early voting ballots pursuant to division (G) of this section. Any ballot determined to be insufficient for any of the reasons stated above or stated in section 3509.07 of the Revised Code shall not be counted.

Subject to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code, a board of elections may lease or otherwise acquire a site different from the office of the board at which registered electors may vote pursuant to division (B) or (C) of this section.

(E) Upon receiving a change of residence or change of name form, the board of elections shall immediately send the registrant an acknowledgment notice. If the change of residence or change of name form is valid, the board shall update the voter's registration as appropriate. If that form is incomplete, the board shall inform the registrant in the acknowledgment notice specified in this division of the information necessary to complete or update that registrant's registration.

(F) Change of residence and change of name forms shall be available at each polling place, and when these forms are completed, noting changes of residence or name, as appropriate, they shall be filed with election officials at the polling place. Election officials shall return completed forms, together with the pollbooks and tally sheets, to the board of elections.

The board of elections shall provide change of residence and change of name forms to the probate court and court of common pleas. The court shall provide the forms to any person eighteen years of age or older who has a change of name by order of the court or who applies for a marriage license. The court shall forward all completed forms to the board of elections within five days after receiving them.

(G) A registered elector who otherwise would qualify to vote under division (B) or (C) of this section but is unable to appear at the office of the board of elections or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location, on account of personal illness, physical disability, or infirmity, may vote on the day of the election if that registered elector does all of the following:

(1) Makes a written application that includes all of the information required under section 3509.03 of the Revised Code to the appropriate board for an absent voter's early voting ballot on or after the twenty-seventh day prior to the election in which the registered elector wishes to vote through noon of the Saturday prior to that election and requests that the absent voter's early voting ballot be sent to the address to which the registered elector has moved if the registered elector has moved, or to the address of that registered elector who has not moved but has had a change of name;

(2) Declares that the registered elector has moved or had a change of name, whichever is appropriate, and otherwise is qualified to vote under the circumstances described in division (B) or (C) of this section, whichever is appropriate, but that the registered elector is unable to appear at the board of elections because of personal illness, physical disability, or infirmity;

(3) Completes and returns along with the completed absent voter's early voting ballot a notice of change of residence indicating the address to which the registered elector has moved, or a notice of change of name, whichever is appropriate;

(4) Completes and signs, under penalty of election falsification, a statement attesting that the registered elector has moved or had a change of name on or prior to the day before the election, has voted by absent voter's early voting ballot because of personal illness, physical disability, or infirmity that prevented the registered elector from appearing at the board of elections, and will not vote or attempt to vote at any other location or by absent voter's early voting ballot mailed to any other location or address for that particular election.

Sec. 3504.04.  On or before election day, the director of the board of elections shall deliver to the polling place a list of persons who have filed certificates of intent to vote as former resident voters and who appear, from their voting address, entitled to vote at such polling place. Those persons whose names appear on the list of former resident voters, and who have otherwise complied with sections 3504.01 to 3504.06 of the Revised Code, shall then be entitled to vote for presidential and vice-presidential electors only at their polling place on election day or by absent voter's early voting ballots. Such voter who votes at that voter's polling place on election day shall sign that voter's name in the poll book or poll list followed by, "Former Resident's Presidential Ballot." Qualified former residents shall be entitled to cast absent voter's early voting ballots for presidential and vice-presidential electors.

Sec. 3505.03.  On the office type ballot shall be printed the names of all candidates for election to offices, except judicial offices, who were nominated at the most recent primary election as candidates of a political party or who were nominated in accordance with section 3513.02 of the Revised Code, and the names of all candidates for election to offices who were nominated by nominating petitions, except candidates for judicial offices, for member of the state board of education, for member of a board of education, for municipal offices, and for township offices.

The face of the ballot below the stub shall be substantially in the following form:

(A) To vote for a candidate record your vote in the manner provided next to the name of such candidate.

(B) If you tear, soil, deface, or erroneously mark this ballot, return it to the precinct election officers or, if you cannot return it, notify the precinct election officers, and obtain another ballot."

The order in which the offices shall be listed on the ballot shall be prescribed by, and certified to each board of elections by, the secretary of state; provided that for state, district, and county offices the order from top to bottom shall be as follows: governor and lieutenant governor, attorney general, auditor of state, secretary of state, treasurer of state, United States senator, representative to congress, state senator, state representative, county commissioner, county auditor, prosecuting attorney, clerk of the court of common pleas, sheriff, county recorder, county treasurer, county engineer, and coroner. The offices of governor and lieutenant governor shall be printed on the ballot in a manner that requires a voter to cast one vote jointly for the candidates who have been nominated by the same political party or petition.

The names of all candidates for an office shall be arranged in a group under the title of that office, and, except for absentee early voting ballots or when the number of candidates for a particular office is the same as the number of candidates to be elected for that office, shall be rotated from one precinct to another. On absentee early voting ballots, the names of all candidates for an office shall be arranged in a group under the title of that office and shall be so alternated that each name shall appear, insofar as may be reasonably possible, substantially an equal number of times at the beginning, at the end, and in each intermediate place, if any, of the group in which such name belongs, unless the number of candidates for a particular office is the same as the number of candidates to be elected for that office.

The method of printing the ballots to meet the rotation requirement of this section shall be as follows: the least common multiple of the number of names in each of the several groups of candidates shall be used, and the number of changes made in the printer's forms in printing the ballots shall correspond with that multiple. The board of elections shall number all precincts in regular serial sequence. In the first precinct, the names of the candidates in each group shall be listed in alphabetical order. In each succeeding precinct, the name in each group that is listed first in the preceding precinct shall be listed last, and the name of each candidate shall be moved up one place. In each precinct using paper ballots, the printed ballots shall then be assembled in tablets.

Under the name of each candidate nominated at a primary election and each candidate certified by a party committee to fill a vacancy under section 3513.31 of the Revised Code shall be printed, in less prominent type face than that in which the candidate's name is printed, the name of the political party by which the candidate was nominated or certified. Under the name of each candidate appearing on the ballot who filed a nominating petition and requested a ballot designation as a nonparty candidate under section 3513.257 of the Revised Code shall be printed, in less prominent type face than that in which the candidate's name is printed, the designation of "nonparty candidate." Under the name of each candidate appearing on the ballot who filed a nominating petition and requested a ballot designation as an other-party candidate under section 3513.257 of the Revised Code shall be printed, in less prominent type face than that in which the candidate's name is printed, the designation of "other-party candidate." No designation shall appear under the name of a candidate appearing on the ballot who filed a nominating petition and requested that no ballot designation appear under the candidate's name under section 3513.257 of the Revised Code, or who filed a nominating petition and failed to request a ballot designation either as a nonparty candidate or as an other-party candidate under that section.

Except as provided in this section, no words, designations, or emblems descriptive of a candidate or the candidate's political affiliation, or indicative of the method by which the candidate was nominated or certified, shall be printed under or after a candidate's name that is printed on the ballot.

Sec. 3505.181.  (A) All of the following individuals shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot at an election:

(1) An individual who declares that the individual is a registered voter in the jurisdiction in which the individual desires to vote and that the individual is eligible to vote in an election, but the name of the individual does not appear on the official list of eligible voters for the polling place or an election official asserts that the individual is not eligible to vote;

(2) An individual who has a social security number and provides to the election officials the last four digits of the individual's social security number as permitted by division (A)(2) of section 3505.18 of the Revised Code;

(3) An individual who has but is unable to provide to the election officials any of the forms of identification required under division (A)(1) of section 3505.18 of the Revised Code and who has a social security number but is unable to provide the last four digits of the individual's social security number as permitted under division (A)(2) of that section;

(4) An individual who does not have any of the forms of identification required under division (A)(1) of section 3505.18 of the Revised Code, who cannot provide the last four digits of the individual's social security number under division (A)(2) of that section because the individual does not have a social security number, and who has executed an affirmation as permitted under division (A)(4) of that section;

(5) An individual whose name in the poll list or signature pollbook has been marked under section 3509.09 or 3511.13 of the Revised Code as having requested an absent voter's early voting ballot or an armed service absent voter's early voting ballot for that election and who appears to vote at the polling place;

(6) An individual whose notification of registration has been returned undelivered to the board of elections and whose name in the official registration list and in the poll list or signature pollbook has been marked under division (C)(2) of section 3503.19 of the Revised Code;

(7) An individual who is challenged under section 3505.20 of the Revised Code and the election officials determine that the person is ineligible to vote or are unable to determine the person's eligibility to vote;

(8) An individual whose application or challenge hearing has been postponed until after the day of the election under division (D)(1) of section 3503.24 of the Revised Code;

(9) An individual who changes the individual's name and remains within the precinct, moves from one precinct to another within a county, moves from one precinct to another and changes the individual's name, or moves from one county to another within the state, and completes and signs the required forms and statements under division (B) or (C) of section 3503.16 of the Revised Code;

(10) An individual whose signature, in the opinion of the precinct officers under section 3505.22 of the Revised Code, is not that of the person who signed that name in the registration forms;

(11) An individual who is challenged under section 3513.20 of the Revised Code who refuses to make the statement required under that section, who a majority of the precinct officials find lacks any of the qualifications to make the individual a qualified elector, or who a majority of the precinct officials find is not affiliated with or a member of the political party whose ballot the individual desires to vote;

(12) An individual who does not have any of the forms of identification required under division (A)(1) of section 3505.18 of the Revised Code, who cannot provide the last four digits of the individual's social security number under division (A)(2) of that section because the person does not have a social security number, and who declines to execute an affirmation as permitted under division (A)(4) of that section;

(13) An individual who has but declines to provide to the precinct election officials any of the forms of identification required under division (A)(1) of section 3501.18 of the Revised Code or who has a social security number but declines to provide to the precinct election officials the last four digits of the individual's social security number.

(B) An individual who is eligible to cast a provisional ballot under division (A) of this section shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot as follows:

(1) An election official at the polling place shall notify the individual that the individual may cast a provisional ballot in that election.

(2) The individual shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot at that polling place upon the execution of a written affirmation by the individual before an election official at the polling place stating that the individual is both of the following:

(a) A registered voter in the jurisdiction in which the individual desires to vote;

(b) Eligible to vote in that election.

(3) An election official at the polling place shall transmit the ballot cast by the individual, the voter information contained in the written affirmation executed by the individual under division (B)(2) of this section, or the individual's name if the individual declines to execute such an affirmation to an appropriate local election official for verification under division (B)(4) of this section.

(4) If the appropriate local election official to whom the ballot or voter or address information is transmitted under division (B)(3) of this section determines that the individual is eligible to vote, the individual's provisional ballot shall be counted as a vote in that election.

(5)(a) At the time that an individual casts a provisional ballot, the appropriate local election official shall give the individual written information that states that any individual who casts a provisional ballot will be able to ascertain under the system established under division (B)(5)(b) of this section whether the vote was counted, and, if the vote was not counted, the reason that the vote was not counted.

(b) The appropriate state or local election official shall establish a free access system, in the form of a toll-free telephone number, that any individual who casts a provisional ballot may access to discover whether the vote of that individual was counted, and, if the vote was not counted, the reason that the vote was not counted. The free access system established under this division also shall provide to an individual whose provisional ballot was not counted information explaining how that individual may contact the board of elections to register to vote or to resolve problems with the individual's voter registration.

The appropriate state or local election official shall establish and maintain reasonable procedures necessary to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of personal information collected, stored, or otherwise used by the free access system established under this division. Access to information about an individual ballot shall be restricted to the individual who cast the ballot.

(6) If, at the time that an individual casts a provisional ballot, the individual provides identification in the form of a current and valid photo identification, a military identification that shows the voter's name and current address, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than a notice of an election mailed by a board of elections under section 3501.19 of the Revised Code or a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections under section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, that shows the individual's name and current address, or provides the last four digits of the individual's social security number, or executes an affirmation that the elector does not have any of those forms of identification or the last four digits of the individual's social security number because the individual does not have a social security number, or declines to execute such an affirmation, the appropriate local election official shall record the type of identification provided, the social security number information, the fact that the affirmation was executed, or the fact that the individual declined to execute such an affirmation and include that information with the transmission of the ballot or voter or address information under division (B)(3) of this section. If the individual declines to execute such an affirmation, the appropriate local election official shall record the individual's name and include that information with the transmission of the ballot under division (B)(3) of this section.

(7) If an individual casts a provisional ballot pursuant to division (A)(3), (7), (8), (12), or (13) of this section, the election official shall indicate, on the provisional ballot verification statement required under section 3505.182 of the Revised Code, that the individual is required to provide additional information to the board of elections or that an application or challenge hearing has been postponed with respect to the individual, such that additional information is required for the board of elections to determine the eligibility of the individual who cast the provisional ballot.

(8) During the ten days after the day of an election, an individual who casts a provisional ballot pursuant to division (A)(3), (7), (12), or (13) of this section shall appear at the office of the board of elections and provide to the board any additional information necessary to determine the eligibility of the individual who cast the provisional ballot.

(a) For a provisional ballot cast pursuant to division (A)(3), (12), or (13) of this section to be eligible to be counted, the individual who cast that ballot, within ten days after the day of the election, shall do any of the following:

(i) Provide to the board of elections proof of the individual's identity in the form of a current and valid photo identification, a military identification that shows the voter's name and current address, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than a notice of an election mailed by a board of elections under section 3501.19 of the Revised Code or a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections under section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, that shows the individual's name and current address;

(ii) Provide to the board of elections the last four digits of the individual's social security number;

(iii) In the case of a provisional ballot executed pursuant to division (A)(12) of this section, execute an affirmation as permitted under division (A)(4) of section 3505.18 of the Revised Code.

(b) For a provisional ballot cast pursuant to division (A)(7) of this section to be eligible to be counted, the individual who cast that ballot, within ten days after the day of that election, shall provide to the board of elections any identification or other documentation required to be provided by the applicable challenge questions asked of that individual under section 3505.20 of the Revised Code.

(C)(1) If an individual declares that the individual is eligible to vote in a jurisdiction other than the jurisdiction in which the individual desires to vote, or if, upon review of the precinct voting location guide using the residential street address provided by the individual, an election official at the polling place at which the individual desires to vote determines that the individual is not eligible to vote in that jurisdiction, the election official shall direct the individual to the polling place for the jurisdiction in which the individual appears to be eligible to vote, explain that the individual may cast a provisional ballot at the current location but the ballot will not be counted if it is cast in the wrong precinct, and provide the telephone number of the board of elections in case the individual has additional questions.

(2) If the individual refuses to travel to the polling place for the correct jurisdiction or to the office of the board of elections to cast a ballot, the individual shall be permitted to vote a provisional ballot at that jurisdiction in accordance with division (B) of this section. If any of the following apply, the provisional ballot cast by that individual shall not be opened or counted:

(a) The individual is not properly registered in that jurisdiction.

(b) The individual is not eligible to vote in that election in that jurisdiction.

(c) The individual's eligibility to vote in that jurisdiction in that election cannot be established upon examination of the records on file with the board of elections.

(D) The appropriate local election official shall cause voting information to be publicly posted at each polling place on the day of each election.

(E) As used in this section and sections 3505.182 and 3505.183 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Jurisdiction" means the precinct in which a person is a legally qualified elector.

(2) "Precinct voting location guide" means either of the following:

(a) An electronic or paper record that lists the correct jurisdiction and polling place for either each specific residential street address in the county or the range of residential street addresses located in each neighborhood block in the county;

(b) Any other method that a board of elections creates that allows a precinct election official or any elector who is at a polling place in that county to determine the correct jurisdiction and polling place of any qualified elector who resides in the county.

(3) "Voting information" means all of the following:

(a) A sample version of the ballot that will be used for that election;

(b) Information regarding the date of the election and the hours during which polling places will be open;

(c) Instructions on how to vote, including how to cast a vote and how to cast a provisional ballot;

(d) Instructions for mail-in registrants and first-time voters under applicable federal and state laws;

(e) General information on voting rights under applicable federal and state laws, including information on the right of an individual to cast a provisional ballot and instructions on how to contact the appropriate officials if these rights are alleged to have been violated;

(f) General information on federal and state laws regarding prohibitions against acts of fraud and misrepresentation.

Sec. 3505.182.  Each individual who casts a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code shall execute a written affirmation. The form of the written affirmation shall be printed upon the face of the provisional ballot envelope and shall be substantially as follows:

STATE OF OHIO

I, .................... (Name of provisional voter), solemnly swear or affirm that I am a registered voter in the jurisdiction in which I am voting this provisional ballot and that I am eligible to vote in the election in which I am voting this provisional ballot.

I understand that, if the above-provided information is not fully completed and correct, if the board of elections determines that I am not registered to vote, a resident of this precinct, or eligible to vote in this election, or if the board of elections determines that I have already voted in this election, my provisional ballot will not be counted. I further understand that knowingly providing false information is a violation of law and subjects me to possible criminal prosecution.

I hereby declare, under penalty of election falsification, that the above statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

WHOEVER COMMITS ELECTION FALSIFICATION IS GUILTY OF A FELONY OF THE FIFTH DEGREE.

The Provisional Ballot Affirmation printed above was subscribed and affirmed before me this .......... day of .......... (Month), .......... (Year).

(If applicable, the election official must check the following true statement concerning additional information needed to determine the eligibility of the provisional voter.)

...... The provisional voter is required to provide additional information to the board of elections.

...... An application or challenge hearing regarding this voter has been postponed until after the election.

(The election official must check the following true statement concerning identification provided by the provisional voter, if any.)

...... The provisional voter provided a current and valid photo identification.

...... The provisional voter provided a current valid photo identification, other than a driver's license or a state identification card, with the voter's former address instead of current address and has provided the election official both the current and former addresses.

...... The provisional voter provided a military identification that shows the voter's name and current address or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than a notice of an election mailed by a board of elections under section 3501.19 of the Revised Code or a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections under section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, with the voter's name and current address.

...... The provisional voter provided the last four digits of the voter's social security number.

...... The provisional voter is not able to provide a current and valid photo identification, a military identification that shows the voter's name and current address, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than a notice of an election mailed by a board of elections under section 3501.19 of the Revised Code or a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections under section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, with the voter's name and current address but does have one of these forms of identification. The provisional voter must provide one of the foregoing items of identification to the board of elections within ten days after the election.

..... The provisional voter is not able to provide a current and valid photo identification, a military identification that shows the voter's name and current address, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than a notice of an election mailed by a board of elections under section 3501.19 of the Revised Code or a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections under section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, with the voter's name and current address but does have one of these forms of identification. Additionally, the provisional voter does have a social security number but is not able to provide the last four digits of the voter's social security number before voting. The provisional voter must provide one of the foregoing items of identification or the last four digits of the voter's social security number to the board of elections within ten days after the election.

..... The provisional voter does not have a current and valid photo identification, a military identification that shows the voter's name and current address, a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document with the voter's name and current address, or a social security number, but has executed an affirmation.

..... The provisional voter does not have a current and valid photo identification, a military identification that shows the voter's name and current address, a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document with the voter's name and current address, or a social security number, and has declined to execute an affirmation.

..... The provisional voter declined to provide a current and valid photo identification, a military identification that shows the voter's name and current address, a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document with the voter's name and current address, or the last four digits of the voter's social security number but does have one of these forms of identification or a social security number. The provisional voter must provide one of the foregoing items of identification or the last four digits of the voter's social security number to the board of elections within ten days after the election.

In addition to any information required to be included on the written affirmation, an individual casting a provisional ballot may provide additional information to the election official to assist the board of elections in determining the individual's eligibility to vote in that election, including the date and location at which the individual registered to vote, if known.

If the individual declines to execute the affirmation, an appropriate local election official shall comply with division (B)(6) of section 3505.181 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 3505.20.  Any person offering to vote may be challenged at the polling place by any judge of elections. If the board of elections has ruled on the question presented by a challenge prior to election day, its finding and decision shall be final, and the presiding judge shall be notified in writing. If the board has not ruled, the question shall be determined as set forth in this section. If any person is so challenged as unqualified to vote, the presiding judge shall tender the person the following oath: "You do swear or affirm under penalty of election falsification that you will fully and truly answer all of the following questions put to you concerning your qualifications as an elector at this election."

(A) If the person is challenged as unqualified on the ground that the person is not a citizen, the judges shall put the following questions:

(1) Are you a citizen of the United States?

(2) Are you a native or naturalized citizen?

(3) Where were you born?

(4) What official documentation do you possess to prove your citizenship? Please provide that documentation.

If the person offering to vote claims to be a naturalized citizen of the United States, the person shall, before the vote is received, produce for inspection of the judges a certificate of naturalization and declare under oath that the person is the identical person named in the certificate. If the person states under oath that, by reason of the naturalization of the person's parents or one of them, the person has become a citizen of the United States, and when or where the person's parents were naturalized, the certificate of naturalization need not be produced. If the person is unable to provide a certificate of naturalization on the day of the election, the judges shall provide to the person, and the person may vote, a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code. The provisional ballot shall not be counted unless it is properly completed and the board of elections determines that the voter is properly registered and eligible to vote in the election.

(B) If the person is challenged as unqualified on the ground that the person has not resided in this state for thirty days immediately preceding the election, the judges shall put the following questions:

(1) Have you resided in this state for thirty days immediately preceding this election? If so, where have you resided?

(2) Did you properly register to vote?

(3) Can you provide some form of identification containing your current mailing address in this precinct? Please provide that identification.

(4) Have you voted or attempted to vote at any other location in this or in any other state at this election?

(5) Have you applied for an absent voter's absentee ballot or an early voting ballot in any state for this election?

If the judges are unable to verify the person's eligibility to cast a ballot in the election, the judges shall provide to the person, and the person may vote, a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code. The provisional ballot shall not be counted unless it is properly completed and the board of elections determines that the voter is properly registered and eligible to vote in the election.

(C) If the person is challenged as unqualified on the ground that the person is not a resident of the precinct where the person offers to vote, the judges shall put the following questions:

(1) Do you reside in this precinct?

(2) When did you move into this precinct?

(3) When you came into this precinct, did you come for a temporary purpose merely or for the purpose of making it your home?

(4) What is your current mailing address?

(5) Do you have some official identification containing your current address in this precinct? Please provide that identification.

(6) Have you voted or attempted to vote at any other location in this or in any other state at this election?

(7) Have you applied for any absent voter's absentee ballot or early voting ballot in any state for this election?

The judges shall direct an individual who is not in the appropriate polling place to the appropriate polling place. If the individual refuses to go to the appropriate polling place, or if the judges are unable to verify the person's eligibility to cast a ballot in the election, the judges shall provide to the person, and the person may vote, a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code. The provisional ballot shall not be counted unless it is properly completed and the board of elections determines that the voter is properly registered and eligible to vote in the election.

(D) If the person is challenged as unqualified on the ground that the person is not of legal voting age, the judges shall put the following questions:

(1) Are you eighteen years of age or more?

(2) What is your date of birth?

(3) Do you have some official identification verifying your age? Please provide that identification.

If the judges are unable to verify the person's age and eligibility to cast a ballot in the election, the judges shall provide to the person, and the person may vote, a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code. The provisional ballot shall not be counted unless it is properly completed and the board of elections determines that the voter is properly registered and eligible to vote in the election.

The presiding judge shall put such other questions to the person challenged as are necessary to determine the person's qualifications as an elector at the election. If a person challenged refuses to answer fully any question put to the person, is unable to answer the questions as they were answered on the registration form by the person under whose name the person offers to vote, or refuses to sign the person's name or make the person's mark, or if for any other reason a majority of the judges believes the person is not entitled to vote, the judges shall provide to the person, and the person may vote, a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code. The provisional ballot shall not be counted unless it is properly completed and the board of elections determines that the voter is properly registered and eligible to vote in the election.

A qualified citizen who has certified the citizen's intention to vote for president and vice-president as provided by Chapter 3504. of the Revised Code shall be eligible to receive only the ballot containing presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

However, prior to the nineteenth day before the day of an election and in accordance with section 3503.24 of the Revised Code, any person qualified to vote may challenge the right of any other person to be registered as a voter, or the right to cast an absent voter's early voting ballot, or to make application for such ballot. Such challenge shall be made in accordance with section 3503.24 of the Revised Code, and the board of elections of the county in which the voting residence of the challenged voter is situated shall make a final determination relative to the legality of such registration or application.

Sec. 3509.01.  The board of elections of each county shall provide absent voter's early voting ballots for use at every primary and general election, or special election to be held on the day specified by division (E) of section 3501.01 of the Revised Code for the holding of a primary election, designated by the general assembly for the purpose of submitting constitutional amendments proposed by the general assembly to the voters of the state. Those ballots shall be the same size, shall be printed on the same kind of paper, and shall be in the same form as has been approved for use at the election for which those ballots are to be voted; except that, in counties using marking devices, ballot cards may be used for absent voter's early voting ballots, and those absent early voters shall be instructed to record the vote in the manner provided on the ballot cards. In counties where punch card ballots are used, those absent early voters shall be instructed to examine their marked ballot cards and to remove any chads that remain partially attached to them before returning them to election officials.

The rotation of names of candidates and questions and issues shall be substantially complied with on absent voter's early voting ballots, within the limitation of time allotted. Those ballots shall be designated as "Absent Voter's Early Voting Ballots" and shall be printed and ready for use on the thirty-fifth day before the day of the election, except that those ballots shall be printed and ready for use on the twenty-fifth day before the day of a presidential primary election.

Absent voter's Early voting ballots provided for use at a general or primary election, or special election to be held on the day specified by division (E) of section 3501.01 of the Revised Code for the holding of a primary election, designated by the general assembly for the purpose of submitting constitutional amendments proposed by the general assembly to the voters of the state, shall include only those questions, issues, and candidacies that have been lawfully ordered submitted to the electors voting at that election.

Absent voter's Early voting ballots for special elections held on days other than the day on which general or primary elections are held shall be ready for use as many days before the day of the election as reasonably possible under the laws governing the holding of that special election.

A copy of the absent voter's early voting ballots shall be forwarded by the director of the board in each county to the secretary of state at least twenty-five days before the election.

As used in this section, "chad" and "punch card ballot" have the same meanings as in section 3506.16 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 3509.02.  (A) Any qualified elector may vote by absent voter's early voting ballots at an election.

(B) Any qualified elector who is unable to appear at the office of the board of elections or, if pursuant to division (C) of section 3501.10 of the Revised Code the board has designated another location in the county at which registered electors may vote, at that other location on account of personal illness, physical disability, or infirmity, and who moves from one precinct to another within a county, changes the elector's name and moves from one precinct to another within a county, or moves from one county to another county within the state, on or prior to the day of a general, primary, or special election and has not filed a notice of change of residence or change of name may vote by absent voter's early voting ballots in that election as specified in division (G) of section 3503.16 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 3509.021.  Except as provided in section 3509.031 of the Revised Code all identification envelopes containing absent voter's early voting ballots for former resident voters who are entitled to vote for presidential and vice-presidential electors only, shall have printed or stamped thereon the words, "Presidential Ballot."

Sec. 3509.022. An overseas voter as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1973ff-6, other than an absent uniformed services voter as defined in that statute, may apply for an absent voter's early voting ballot as provided in this chapter.

"Sec. 3509.03. (A) Except as provided in section 3509.031 or division (B) of section 3509.08 of the Revised Code, any qualified elector desiring to vote absent voter's early voting ballots at an election shall make written application for those ballots to the director of elections of the county in which the elector's voting residence is located. The application need not be in any particular form but shall contain all of the following:

(A)(1) The elector's name;

(B)(2) The elector's signature;

(C)(3) The address at which the elector is registered to vote;

(D)(4) The elector's date of birth;

(E)(5) One of the following:

(1)(a) The elector's driver's license number;

(2)(b) The last four digits of the elector's social security number;

(3)(c) A copy of the elector's current and valid photo identification, a copy of a military identification that shows the elector's name and current address, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than a notice of an election mailed by a board of elections under section 3501.19 of the Revised Code or a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections under section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, that shows the name and address of the elector.

(F)(6) A statement identifying the election for which absent voter's early voting ballots are requested;

(G)(7) A statement that the person requesting the ballots is a qualified elector;

(H)(8) If the request is for primary election ballots, the elector's party affiliation;

(I)(9) If the elector desires ballots to be mailed to the elector, the address to which those ballots shall be mailed.

(B) A voter who will be outside the United States on the day of any election during a calendar year may use a single federal post card application to apply for absent voter's absentee ballots. Those The federal post card application shall be deemed to be an application for early voting ballots under this section. Early voting ballots shall be considered absentee ballots for the purpose of the federal post card application.

Early voting ballots shall be sent to the voter for use at the primary and general elections in that year and any special election to be held on the day in that year specified by division (E) of section 3501.01 of the Revised Code for the holding of a primary election, designated by the general assembly for the purpose of submitting constitutional amendments proposed by the general assembly to the voters of the state unless the voter reports a change in the voter's voting status to the board of elections or the voter's intent to vote in any such election in the precinct in this state where the voter is registered to vote. A single federal postcard application shall be processed by the board of elections pursuant to section 3509.04 of the Revised Code the same as if the voter had applied separately for absent voter's early voting ballots for each election. When mailing absent voter's early voting ballots to a voter who applied for them by single federal post card application, the board shall enclose notification to the voter that the voter must report to the board subsequent changes in the voter's voting status or the voter's subsequent intent to vote in any such election in the precinct in this state where the voter is registered to vote. Such notification shall be in a form prescribed by the secretary of state. As used in this section, "voting status" means the voter's name at the time the voter applied for absent voter's absentee ballots by single federal post card application and the voter's address outside the United States to which the voter requested that those ballots be sent.

(C) Each application for absent voter's early voting ballots shall be delivered to the director not earlier than the first day of January of the year of the elections for which the absent voter's ballots are requested or not earlier than ninety days before the day of the election at which the ballots are to be voted, whichever is earlier, and not later than twelve noon of the third day before the day of the election at which the ballots are to be voted, or not later than the close of regular business hours on the day before the day of the election at which the ballots are to be voted if the application is delivered in person to the office of the board.

Sec. 3509.031. (A) Any qualified elector who is a member of the organized militia called to active duty within the state and who will be unable to vote on election day on account of that active duty may make written application for absent voter's early voting ballots to the director of elections for the county in which the elector's voting residence is located. The elector may personally deliver the application to the director or may mail it, send it by facsimile machine, or otherwise send it to the director. The application need not be in any particular form but shall contain all of the following:

(1) The elector's name;

(2) The elector's signature;

(3) The address at which the elector is registered to vote;

(4) The elector's date of birth;

(5) One of the following:

(a) The elector's driver's license number;

(b) The last four digits of the elector's social security number;

(c) A copy of the elector's current and valid photo identification, a copy of a military identification that shows the elector's name and current address, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than a notice of an election mailed by a board of elections under section 3501.19 of the Revised Code or a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections under section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, that shows the name and address of the elector.

(6) A statement identifying the election for which absent voter's early voting ballots are requested;

(7) A statement that the person requesting the ballots is a qualified elector;

(8) A statement that the elector is a member of the organized militia serving on active duty within the state;

(9) If the request is for primary election ballots, the elector's party affiliation;

(10) If the elector desires ballots to be mailed to the elector, the address to which those ballots shall be mailed;

(11) If the elector desires ballots to be sent to the elector by facsimile machine, the telephone number to which they shall be so sent.

(B) Application to have absent voter's early voting ballots mailed or sent by facsimile machine to a qualified elector who is a member of the organized militia called to active duty within the state and who will be unable to vote on election day on account of that active duty may be made by the spouse of the militia member or the father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, grandfather, grandmother, brother or sister of the whole blood or half blood, son, daughter, adopting parent, adopted child, stepparent, stepchild, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of the militia member. The application shall be in writing upon a blank form furnished only by the director. The form of the application shall be prescribed by the secretary of state. The director shall furnish that blank form to any of the relatives specified in this division desiring to make the application, only upon the request of such a relative in person at the office of the board or upon the written request of such a relative mailed to the office of the board. The application, subscribed and sworn to by the applicant, shall contain all of the following:

(1) The full name of the elector for whom ballots are requested;

(2) A statement that such person is a qualified elector in the county;

(3) The address at which the elector is registered to vote;

(4) The elector's date of birth;

(5) One of the following:

(a) The elector's driver's license number;

(b) The last four digits of the elector's social security number;

(c) A copy of the elector's current and valid photo identification, a copy of a military identification that shows the elector's name and current address, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than a notice of an election mailed by a board of elections under section 3501.19 of the Revised Code or a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections under section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, that shows the name and address of the elector.

(6) A statement identifying the election for which absent voter's early voting ballots are requested;

(7) A statement that the elector is a member of the organized militia serving on active duty within the state;

(8) If the request is for primary election ballots, the elector's party affiliation;

(9) A statement that the applicant bears a relationship to the elector as specified in division (B) of this section;

(10) The address to which ballots shall be mailed or telephone number to which ballots shall be sent by facsimile machine;

(11) The signature and address of the person making the application.

(C) Applications to have absent voter's early voting ballots mailed or sent by facsimile machine shall not be valid if dated, postmarked, or received by the director prior to the ninetieth day before the day of the election for which ballots are requested or if delivered to the director later than twelve noon of the third day preceding the day of such election. If, after the ninetieth day and before four p.m. of the day before the day of an election, a valid application for absent voter's early voting ballots is delivered to the director of elections at the office of the board by a militia member making application in the militia member's own behalf, the director shall forthwith deliver to the militia member all absent voter's early voting ballots then ready for use, together with an identification envelope. The militia member shall then vote the absent voter's early voting ballots in the manner provided in section 3509.05 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 3509.04. (A) If a director of a board of elections receives an application for absent voter's early voting ballots that does not contain all of the required information, the director promptly shall notify the applicant of the additional information required to be provided by the applicant to complete that application.

(B) Upon receipt by the director of elections of an application for absent voter's early voting ballots that contain all of the required information, as provided by sections 3509.03 and 3509.031 and division (G) of section 3503.16 of the Revised Code, the director, if the director finds that the applicant is a qualified elector, shall deliver to the applicant in person or mail directly to the applicant by special delivery mail, air mail, or regular mail, postage prepaid, proper absent voter's early voting ballots. The director shall deliver or mail with the ballots an unsealed identification envelope upon the face of which shall be printed a form substantially as follows:

I, ........................(Name of voter), declare under penalty of election falsification that the within ballot or ballots contained no voting marks of any kind when I received them, and I caused the ballot or ballots to be marked, enclosed in the identification envelope, and sealed in that envelope.

My voting residence in Ohio is

...................................................................

of ................................ (City, Village, or Township) Ohio, which is in Ward ............... Precinct ................ in that city, village, or township.

The primary election ballots, if any, within this envelope are primary election ballots of the ............. Party.

Ballots contained within this envelope are to be voted at the .......... (general, special, or primary) election to be held on the .......................... day of ......................, ....

My date of birth is ............... (Month and Day), .......... (Year).

(Voter must provide one of the following:)

My driver's license number is ............... (Driver's license number).

The last four digits of my Social Security Number are ............... (Last four digits of Social Security Number).

...... In lieu of providing a driver's license number or the last four digits of my Social Security Number, I am enclosing a copy of one of the following in the return envelope in which this identification envelope will be mailed: a current and valid photo identification, a military identification that shows my name and current address, or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than a notice of an election mailed by a board of elections under section 3501.19 of the Revised Code or a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections, that shows my name and address.

I hereby declare, under penalty of election falsification, that the statements above are true, as I verily believe.

WHOEVER COMMITS ELECTION FALSIFICATION IS GUILTY OF A FELONY OF THE FIFTH DEGREE."

The director shall mail with the ballots and the unsealed identification envelope an unsealed return envelope upon the face of which shall be printed the official title and post-office address of the director. In the upper left corner on the face of the return envelope, several blank lines shall be printed upon which the voter may write the voter's name and return address, and beneath these lines there shall be printed a box beside the words "check if out-of-country." The voter shall check this box if the voter will be outside the United States on the day of the election. The return envelope shall be of such size that the identification envelope can be conveniently placed within it for returning the identification envelope to the director.

Sec. 3509.05.  (A) When an elector receives an absent voter's early voting ballot pursuant to the elector's application or request, the elector shall, before placing any marks on the ballot, note whether there are any voting marks on it. If there are any voting marks, the ballot shall be returned immediately to the board of elections; otherwise, the elector shall cause the ballot to be marked, folded in a manner that the stub on it and the indorsements and facsimile signatures of the members of the board of elections on the back of it are visible, and placed and sealed within the identification envelope received from the director of elections for that purpose. Then, the elector shall cause the statement of voter on the outside of the identification envelope to be completed and signed, under penalty of election falsification.

If the elector does not provide the elector's driver's license number or the last four digits of the elector's social security number on the statement of voter on the identification envelope, the elector also shall include in the return envelope with the identification envelope a copy of the elector's current valid photo identification, a copy of a military identification that shows the elector's name and current address, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than a notice of an election mailed by a board of elections under section 3501.19 of the Revised Code or a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections under section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, that shows the name and address of the elector.

The elector shall mail the identification envelope to the director from whom it was received in the return envelope, postage prepaid, or the elector may personally deliver it to the director, or the spouse of the elector, the father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, grandfather, grandmother, brother, or sister of the whole or half blood, or the son, daughter, adopting parent, adopted child, stepparent, stepchild, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of the elector may deliver it to the director. The return envelope shall be transmitted to the director in no other manner, except as provided in section 3509.08 of the Revised Code.

Each elector who will be outside the United States on the day of the election shall check the box on the return envelope indicating this fact.

When absent voter's early voting ballots are delivered to an elector at the office of the board, the elector may retire to a voting compartment provided by the board and there mark the ballots. Thereupon, the elector shall fold them, place them in the identification envelope provided, seal the envelope, fill in and sign the statement on the envelope under penalty of election falsification, and deliver the envelope to the director of the board.

Except as otherwise provided in divisions (B) and (C) of this section, all other envelopes containing marked absent voter's early voting ballots shall be delivered to the director not later than the close of the polls on the day of an election. Absent voter's Early voting ballots delivered to the director later than the times specified shall not be counted, but shall be kept by the board in the sealed identification envelopes in which they are delivered to the director, until the time provided by section 3505.31 of the Revised Code for the destruction of all other ballots used at the election for which ballots were provided, at which time they shall be destroyed.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in division (C) of this section, any return envelope that indicates that the voter will be outside the United States on the day of the election shall be delivered to the director prior to the eleventh day after the election. Ballots delivered in such envelopes that are received after the close of the polls on election day through the tenth day thereafter shall be counted on the eleventh day at the board of elections in the manner provided in divisions (C) and (D) of section 3509.06 of the Revised Code. Any such ballots that are signed or postmarked after the close of the polls on the day of the election or that are received by the director later than the tenth day following the election shall not be counted, but shall be kept by the board in the sealed identification envelopes as provided in division (A) of this section.

(C) In any year in which a presidential primary election is held, any return envelope that indicates that the voter will be outside the United States on the day of the presidential primary election shall be delivered to the director prior to the twenty-first day after that election. Ballots delivered in such envelopes that are received after the close of the polls on election day through the twentieth day thereafter shall be counted on the twenty-first day at the board of elections in the manner provided in divisions (C) and (D) of section 3509.06 of the Revised Code. Any such ballots that are signed or postmarked after the close of the polls on the day of that election or that are received by the director later than the twentieth day following that election shall not be counted, but shall be kept by the board in the sealed identification envelopes as provided in division (A) of this section.

Sec. 3509.06.  (A) The board of elections shall determine whether absent voter's early voting ballots shall be counted in each precinct, at the office of the board, or at some other location designated by the board, and shall proceed accordingly under division (B) or (C) of this section.

(B) When the board of elections determines that absent voter's early voting ballots shall be counted in each precinct, the director shall deliver to the presiding judge of each precinct on election day identification envelopes purporting to contain absent voter's early voting ballots of electors whose voting residence appears from the statement of voter on the outside of each of those envelopes, to be located in such presiding judge's precinct, and which were received by the director not later than the close of the polls on election day. The director shall deliver to such presiding judge a list containing the name and voting residence of each person whose voting residence is in such precinct to whom absent voter's early voting ballots were mailed.

(C) When the board of elections determines that absent voter's early voting ballots shall be counted at the office of the board of elections or at another location designated by the board, special election judges shall be appointed by the board for that purpose having the same authority as is exercised by precinct judges. The votes so cast shall be added to the vote totals by the board, and the absent voter's early voting ballots shall be preserved separately by the board, in the same manner and for the same length of time as provided by section 3505.31 of the Revised Code.

(D) Each of the identification envelopes purporting to contain absent voter's early voting ballots delivered to the presiding judge of the precinct or the special judge appointed by the board of elections shall be handled as follows: The election officials shall compare the signature of the elector on the outside of the identification envelope with the signature of that elector on the elector's registration form and verify that the absent voter's ballot is eligible to be counted under section 3509.07 of the Revised Code. Any of the precinct officials may challenge the right of the elector named on the identification envelope to vote the absent voter's early voting ballots upon the ground that the signature on the envelope is not the same as the signature on the registration form, or upon any other of the grounds upon which the right of persons to vote may be lawfully challenged. If no such challenge is made, or if such a challenge is made and not sustained, the presiding judge shall open the envelope without defacing the statement of voter and without mutilating the ballots in it, and shall remove the ballots contained in it and proceed to count them.

The name of each person voting who is entitled to vote only an absent voter's early voting presidential ballot shall be entered in a pollbook or poll list or signature pollbook followed by the words "Absentee Early Presidential Ballot." The name of each person voting an absent voter's early voting ballot, other than such persons entitled to vote only a presidential ballot, shall be entered in the pollbook or poll list or signature pollbook and the person's registration card marked to indicate that the person has voted.

The date of such election shall also be entered on the elector's registration form. If any such challenge is made and sustained, the identification envelope of such elector shall not be opened, shall be endorsed "Not Counted" with the reasons the ballots were not counted, and shall be delivered to the board.

(E) Special election judges, employees or members of the board of elections, or observers shall not disclose the count or any portion of the count of absent voter's early voting ballots prior to the time of the closing of the polling places. No person shall recklessly disclose the count or any portion of the count of absent voter's early voting ballots in such a manner as to jeopardize the secrecy of any individual ballot.

(F) Observers may be appointed under section 3505.21 of the Revised Code to witness the examination and opening of identification envelopes and the counting of absent voters' early voting ballots under this section.

Sec. 3509.07.  If election officials find that the statement accompanying an absent voter's early voting ballot or absent voter's early voting presidential ballot is insufficient, that the signatures do not correspond with the person's registration signature, that the applicant is not a qualified elector in the precinct, that the ballot envelope contains more than one ballot of any one kind, or any voted ballot that the elector is not entitled to vote, that Stub A is detached from the absent voter's early voting ballot or absent voter's early voting presidential ballot, or that 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 shall not be accepted or counted. The vote of any absent early 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.

Sec. 3509.08.  (A) Any qualified elector, who, on account of the elector's own personal illness, physical disability, or infirmity, or on account of the elector's confinement in a jail or workhouse under sentence for a misdemeanor or awaiting trial on a felony or misdemeanor, will be unable to travel from the elector's home or place of confinement to the voting booth in the elector's precinct on the day of any general, special, or primary election may make application in writing for an absent voter's early voting ballot to the director of the board of elections of the elector's county. The application shall include all of the information required under section 3509.03 of the Revised Code and shall state the nature of the elector's illness, physical disability, or infirmity, or the fact that the elector is confined in a jail or workhouse and the elector's resultant inability to travel to the election booth in the elector's precinct on election day. The application shall not be valid if it is delivered to the director before the ninetieth day or after twelve noon of the third day before the day of the election at which the ballot is to be voted.

The absent voter's early voting ballot may be mailed directly to the applicant at the applicant's voting residence or place of confinement as stated in the applicant's application, or the board may designate two board employees belonging to the two major political parties for the purpose of delivering the ballot to the disabled or confined elector and returning it to the board, unless the applicant is confined to a public or private institution within the county, in which case the board shall designate two board employees belonging to the two major political parties for the purpose of delivering the ballot to the disabled or confined elector and returning it to the board. In all other instances, the ballot shall be returned to the office of the board in the manner prescribed in section 3509.05 of the Revised Code.

Any disabled or confined elector who declares to the two board employees belonging to the two major political parties that the elector is unable to mark the elector's ballot by reason of physical infirmity that is apparent to the employees to be sufficient to incapacitate the voter from marking the elector's ballot properly, may receive, upon request, the assistance of the employees in marking the elector's ballot, and they shall thereafter give no information in regard to this matter. Such assistance shall not be rendered for any other cause.

When two board employees belonging to the two major political parties deliver a ballot to a disabled or confined elector, each of the employees shall be present when the ballot is delivered, when assistance is given, and when the ballot is returned to the office of the board, and shall subscribe to the declaration on the identification envelope.

The secretary of state shall prescribe the form of application for absent voter's early voting ballots under this division.

This chapter applies to disabled and confined absent voter's early voting ballots except as otherwise provided in this section.

(B)(1) Any qualified elector who is unable to travel to the voting booth in the elector's precinct on the day of any general, special, or primary election may apply to the director of the board of elections of the county where the elector is a qualified elector to vote in the election by absent voter's early voting ballot if either of the following apply:

(a) The elector is confined in a hospital as a result of an accident or unforeseeable medical emergency occurring before the election;

(b) The elector's minor child is confined in a hospital as a result of an accident or unforeseeable medical emergency occurring before the election.

(2) The application authorized under division (B)(1) of this section shall be made in writing, shall include all of the information required under section 3509.03 of the Revised Code, and shall be delivered to the director not later than three p.m. on the day of the election. The application shall indicate the hospital where the applicant or the applicant's child is confined, the date of the applicant's or the applicant's child's admission to the hospital, and the offices for which the applicant is qualified to vote. The applicant may also request that a member of the applicant's family, as listed in section 3509.05 of the Revised Code, deliver the absent voter's early voting ballot to the applicant. The director, after establishing to the director's satisfaction the validity of the circumstances claimed by the applicant, shall supply an absent voter's early voting ballot to be delivered to the applicant. When the applicant or the applicant's child is in a hospital in the county where the applicant is a qualified elector and no request is made for a member of the family to deliver the ballot, the director shall arrange for the delivery of an absent voter's early voting ballot to the applicant, and for its return to the office of the board, by two board employees belonging to the two major political parties according to the procedures prescribed in division (A) of this section. When the applicant or the applicant's child is in a hospital outside the county where the applicant is a qualified elector and no request is made for a member of the family to deliver the ballot, the director shall arrange for the delivery of an absent voter's early voting ballot to the applicant by mail, and the ballot shall be returned to the office of the board in the manner prescribed in section 3509.05 of the Revised Code.

(3) Any qualified elector who is eligible to vote under division (B) or (C) of section 3503.16 of the Revised Code but is unable to do so because of the circumstances described in division (B)(2) of this section may vote in accordance with division (B)(1) of this section if that qualified elector states in the application for absent voter's early voting ballots that that qualified elector moved or had a change of name under the circumstances described in division (B) or (C) of section 3503.16 of the Revised Code and if that qualified elector complies with divisions (G)(1) to (4) of section 3503.16 of the Revised Code.

(C) Any qualified elector described in division (A) or (B)(1) of this section who needs no assistance to vote or to return absent voter's early voting ballots to the board of elections may apply for absent voter's early voting ballots under section 3509.03 of the Revised Code instead of applying for them under this section.

Sec. 3509.09.  (A) The poll list or signature pollbook for each precinct shall identify each registered elector in that precinct who has requested an absent voter's early voting ballot for that election.

(B)(1) If a registered elector appears to vote in that precinct and that elector has requested an absent voter's early voting ballot for that election but the director has not received a sealed identification envelope purporting to contain that elector's voted absent voter's early voting ballots for that election, the elector shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code in that precinct on the day of that election.

(2) If a registered elector appears to vote in that precinct and that elector has requested an absent voter's early voting ballot for that election and the director has received a sealed identification envelope purporting to contain that elector's voted absent voter's early voting ballots for that election, the elector shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code in that precinct on the day of that election.

(C)(1) In counting absent voter's early voting ballots under section 3509.06 of the Revised Code, the board of elections shall compare the signature of each elector from whom the director has received a sealed identification envelope purporting to contain that elector's voted absent voter's early voting ballots for that election to the signature on that elector's registration form. Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(3) of this section, if the board of elections determines that the absent voter's early voting ballot in the sealed identification envelope is valid, it shall be counted. If the board of elections determines that the signature on the sealed identification envelope purporting to contain the elector's voted absent voter's early voting ballot does not match the signature on the elector's registration form, the ballot shall be set aside and the board shall examine, during the time prior to the beginning of the official canvass, the poll list or signature pollbook from the precinct in which the elector is registered to vote to determine if the elector also cast a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code in that precinct on the day of the election.

(2) The board of elections shall count the provisional ballot, instead of the absent voter's early voting ballot, if both of the following apply:

(a) The board of elections determines that the signature of the elector on the outside of the identification envelope in which the absent voter's early voting ballots are enclosed does not match the signature of the elector on the elector's registration form;

(b) The elector cast a provisional ballot in the precinct on the day of the election.

(3) If the board of elections does not receive the sealed identification envelope purporting to contain the elector's voted absent voter's early voting ballot by the applicable deadline established under section 3509.05 of the Revised Code, the provisional ballot cast under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code in that precinct on the day of the election shall be counted as valid, if that provisional ballot is otherwise determined to be valid pursuant to section 3505.183 of the Revised Code.

(D) If the board of elections counts a provisional ballot under division (C)(2) or (3) of this section, the returned identification envelope of that elector shall not be opened, and the ballot within that envelope shall not be counted. The identification envelope shall be endorsed "Not Counted" with the reason the ballot was not counted.

Sec. 3511.01.  Any section of the Revised Code to the contrary notwithstanding, any person serving in the armed forces of the United States, or the spouse or dependent of any person serving in the armed forces of the United States who resides outside this state for the purpose of being with or near such service member, who will be eighteen years of age or more on the day of a general or special election and who is a citizen of the United States, may vote armed service absent voter's early voting ballots in such general or special election as follows:

(A) If the service member is the voter, he the service member may vote only in the precinct in which he the service member has a voting residence in the state, and that voting residence shall be that place in the precinct in which he the service member resided immediately preceding the commencement of such service, provided that the time during which he the service member continuously resided in the state immediately preceding the commencement of such service plus the time subsequent to such commencement and prior to the day of such general, special, or primary election is equal to or exceeds thirty days.

(B) If the spouse or dependent of a service member is the voter, he the spouse or dependent may vote only in the precinct in which he the spouse or dependent has a voting residence in the state, and that voting residence shall be that place in the precinct in which he the spouse or dependent resided immediately preceding the time of leaving the state for the purpose of being with or near the service member, provided that the time during which he the spouse or dependent continuously resided in the state immediately preceding the time of leaving the state for the purpose of being with or near the service member plus the time subsequent to such leaving and prior to the day of such general, special, or primary election is equal to or exceeds thirty days.

(C) If the service member or his the service member's spouse or dependent establishes a permanent residence in a precinct other than the precinct in which he the person resided immediately preceding the commencement of his the service member's service, the voting residence of both the service member and his the service member's spouse or dependent shall be the precinct of such permanent residence, provided that the time during which he the service member continuously resided in the state immediately preceding the commencement of such service plus the time subsequent to such commencement and prior to the day of such general, special, or primary election is equal to or exceeds thirty days.

Sec. 3511.02.  Notwithstanding any section of the Revised Code to the contrary, whenever any person applies for registration as a voter on a form adopted in accordance with federal regulations relating to the "Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act," 100 Stat. 924, 42 U.S.C.A. 1973ff (1986), this application shall be sufficient for voter registration and as a request for an absent voter's early voting ballot. Early voting ballots shall be considered absentee ballots for the purpose of applications received pursuant to that act. Armed service absent voter's early voting ballots may be obtained by any person meeting the requirements of section 3511.01 of the Revised Code by applying to the director of the board of elections of the county in which the person's voting residence is located, in one of the following ways:

(A) That person may make written application for those ballots. The person may personally deliver the application to the director or may mail it, send it by facsimile machine, or otherwise send it to the director. The application need not be in any particular form but shall contain all of the following information:

(1) The elector's name;

(2) The elector's signature;

(3) The address at which the elector is registered to vote;

(4) The elector's date of birth;

(5) One of the following:

(a) The elector's driver's license number;

(b) The last four digits of the elector's social security number;

(c) A copy of the elector's current and valid photo identification, a copy of a military identification that shows the elector's name and current address, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than a notice of an election mailed by a board of elections under section 3501.19 of the Revised Code or a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections under section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, that shows the name and address of the elector.

(6) A statement identifying the election for which absent voter's early voting ballots are requested;

(7) A statement that the person requesting the ballots is a qualified elector;

(8) A statement that the elector is an absent uniformed services voter as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1973ff-6;

(9) A statement of the elector's length of residence in the state immediately preceding the commencement of service or immediately preceding the date of leaving to be with or near the service member, whichever is applicable;

(10) If the request is for primary election ballots, the elector's party affiliation;

(11) If the elector desires ballots to be mailed to the elector, the address to which those ballots shall be mailed;

(12) If the elector desires ballots to be sent to the elector by facsimile machine, the telephone number to which they shall be so sent.

(B) A voter or any relative of a voter listed in division (C) of this section may use a single federal post card application to apply for armed service absent voter's absentee ballots for use at the primary and general elections in a given year and any special election to be held on the day in that year specified by division (E) of section 3501.01 of the Revised Code for the holding of a primary election, designated by the general assembly for the purpose of submitting constitutional amendments proposed by the general assembly to the voters of the state. Early voting ballots shall be considered absentee ballots for the purpose of the federal post card application. A single federal postcard application shall be processed by the board of elections pursuant to section 3511.04 of the Revised Code the same as if the voter had applied separately for armed service absent voter's early voting ballots for each election.

(C) Application to have armed service absent voter's early voting ballots mailed or sent by facsimile machine to such a person may be made by the spouse when the person is a service member, or by the father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, grandfather, grandmother, brother or sister of the whole blood or half blood, son, daughter, adopting parent, adopted child, stepparent, stepchild, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of such a person. The application shall be in writing upon a blank form furnished only by the director or on a single federal post card as provided in division (B) of this section. The form of the application shall be prescribed by the secretary of state. The director shall furnish that blank form to any of the relatives specified in this division desiring to make the application, only upon the request of such a relative made in person at the office of the board or upon the written request of such a relative mailed to the office of the board. The application, subscribed and sworn to by the applicant, shall contain all of the following:

(1) The full name of the elector for whom ballots are requested;

(2) A statement that the elector is an absent uniformed services voter as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1973ff-6;

(3) The address at which the elector is registered to vote;

(4) A statement identifying the elector's length of residence in the state immediately preceding the commencement of service, or immediately preceding the date of leaving to be with or near a service member, as the case may be;

(5) The elector's date of birth;

(6) One of the following:

(a) The elector's driver's license number;

(b) The last four digits of the elector's social security number;

(c) A copy of the elector's current and valid photo identification, a copy of a military identification that shows the elector's name and current address, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than a notice of an election mailed by a board of elections under section 3501.19 of the Revised Code or a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections under section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, that shows the name and address of the elector.

(7) A statement identifying the election for which absent voter's early voting ballots are requested;

(8) A statement that the person requesting the ballots is a qualified elector;

(9) If the request is for primary election ballots, the elector's party affiliation;

(10) A statement that the applicant bears a relationship to the elector as specified in division (C) of this section;

(11) The address to which ballots shall be mailed or the telephone number to which ballots shall be sent by facsimile machine;

(12) The signature and address of the person making the application.

Each application for armed service absent voter's early voting ballots shall be delivered to the director not earlier than the first day of January of the year of the elections for which the armed service absent voter's early voting ballots are requested or not earlier than ninety days before the day of the election at which the ballots are to be voted, whichever is earlier, and not later than twelve noon of the third day preceding the day of the election, or not later than the close of regular business hours on the day before the day of the election at which those ballots are to be voted if the application is delivered in person to the office of the board.

(D) If the voter for whom the application is made is entitled to vote for presidential and vice-presidential electors only, the applicant shall submit to the director in addition to the requirements of divisions (A), (B), and (C) of this section, a statement to the effect that the voter is qualified to vote for presidential and vice-presidential electors and for no other offices.

Sec. 3511.03.  The board of elections of each county shall provide armed service absent voter's early voting ballots for use at each election. Such ballots for general or primary elections shall be prescribed on the sixtieth day before the day of such elections and shall be the same as provided for absent early voters in section 3509.01 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 3511.04.  (A) If a director of a board of elections receives an application for armed service absent voter's early voting ballots that does not contain all of the required information, the director promptly shall notify the applicant of the additional information required to be provided by the applicant to complete that application.

(B) Not later than the twenty-fifth day before the day of each presidential primary election and not later than the thirty-fifth day before the day of each general or other primary election, and at the earliest possible time before the day of a special election held on a day other than the day on which a general or primary election is held, the director of the board of elections shall mail or send by facsimile machine armed service absent voter's early voting ballots then ready for use as provided for in section 3511.03 of the Revised Code and for which the director has received valid applications prior to that time. Thereafter, and until twelve noon of the third day preceding the day of election, the director shall promptly, upon receipt of valid applications for them, mail or send by facsimile machine to the proper persons all armed service absent voter's early voting ballots then ready for use.

If, after the sixtieth day before the day of a general or primary election, any other question, issue, or candidacy is lawfully ordered submitted to the electors voting at the general or primary election, the board shall promptly provide a separate official issue, special election, or other election ballot for submitting the question, issue, or candidacy to those electors, and the director shall promptly mail or send by facsimile machine each such separate ballot to each person to whom the director has previously mailed or sent by facsimile machine other armed service absent voter's early voting ballots.

In mailing armed service absent voter's early voting ballots, the director shall use the fastest mail service available, but the director shall not mail them by certified mail.

Sec. 3511.05.  (A) The director of the board of elections shall place armed service absent voter's early voting ballots sent by mail in an unsealed identification envelope, gummed ready for sealing. The director shall include with armed service absent voter's early voting ballots sent by facsimile machine an instruction sheet for preparing a gummed envelope in which the ballots shall be returned. The envelope for returning ballots sent by either means shall have printed or written on its face a form as follows:

Armed Service Absent Voter's Early Voting Ballots--

Election ..............................................

1. What is your full name? ...............................

2. What is the date of your birth? .......................

3. Are you a citizen of the United States? ...............

4. Where were you born? ..................................

5. If a naturalized citizen, when and in what court were you naturalized? ..................................................

6. Are you serving in the armed forces of the United States, or are you the spouse of a person serving in the armed forces of the United States? (Indicate which one) .......................

7. What was the date at the commencement of your service, or the date you left the state of Ohio to be with or near your service member spouse? ........................................

8. Did you reside in the state of Ohio at the time of the commencement of your service, or the time you left the state of Ohio to be with or near your service member spouse? ............

If so: What street and street number? ..........................

What city or village? ..........................................

What township? .................................................

What county? ...................................................

What is your present Ohio address? .............................

9. How long had you continuously resided in Ohio immediately preceding the commencement of your service, or immediately preceding the date you left the state of Ohio to be with or near your service member spouse? ....................................

10. Will you be outside the United States on the day of the election? ............ (Applicants who answer "yes" to this question must also check the appropriate box on the return envelope to indicate that they will be outside the United States.)

I hereby declare, under penalty of election falsification, that the answers to the questions above set out are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that I am not claiming, for the purpose of voting, a voting residence in any other state.

WHOEVER COMMITS ELECTION FALSIFICATION IS GUILTY OF A FELONY OF THE FIFTH DEGREE.

If the identification envelope is for use in a primary election, it shall contain an additional question as follows:

"11. With what political party are you affiliated? "

(B) The director shall also mail with the ballots and the unsealed identification envelope sent by mail an unsealed return envelope, gummed, ready for sealing, for use by the voter in returning the voter's marked ballots to the director. The director shall send with the ballots and the instruction sheet for preparing a gummed envelope sent by facsimile machine an instruction sheet for preparing a second gummed envelope as described in this division, for use by the voter in returning that voter's marked ballots to the director. The return envelope shall have two parallel lines, each one quarter of an inch in width, printed across its face paralleling the top, with an intervening space of one quarter of an inch between such lines. The top line shall be one and one-quarter inches from the top of the envelope. Between the parallel lines shall be printed: "OFFICIAL ELECTION ARMED SERVICE ABSENT VOTER'S EARLY VOTING BALLOTS -- VIA AIR MAIL." Three blank lines shall be printed in the upper left corner on the face of the envelope for the use by the voter in placing the voter's complete military, naval, or mailing address on these lines, and beneath these lines there shall be printed a box beside the words "check if out-of-country." The voter shall check this box if the voter will be outside the United States on the day of the election. The official title and the post-office address of the director to whom the envelope shall be returned shall be printed on the face of such envelope in the lower right portion below the bottom parallel line.

(C) On the back of each identification envelope and each return envelope shall be printed the following:

"Instructions to voter:

If the flap on this envelope is so firmly stuck to the back of the envelope when received by you as to require forcible opening in order to use it, open the envelope in the manner least injurious to it, and, after marking your ballots and enclosing same in the envelope for mailing them to the director of the board of elections, reclose the envelope in the most practicable way, by sealing or otherwise, and sign the blank form printed below.

The flap on this envelope was firmly stuck to the back of the envelope when received, and required forced opening before sealing and mailing.

(D) Division (C) of this section does not apply when absent voter's early voting ballots are sent by facsimile machine.

Sec. 3511.051.  All identification envelopes containing absent voter's early voting ballots for voters who are entitled to vote for presidential and vice-presidential electors only shall have printed or stamped thereon the words, "Presidential Ballots Only."

Sec. 3511.06.  The identification envelope provided for in section 3511.05 of the Revised Code shall be a No. 10, 24-lb. white official envelope, four and one-eighth inches by nine and one-half inches in size. The return envelope provided for in such section shall be a No. 11, 24-lb. white official envelope, four and one-half inches by ten and three-eighths inches in size. The envelope in which the two envelopes and the armed service absent voter's early voting ballots are mailed to the elector shall be a No. 12, 24-lb. white official envelope, four and three-quarter inches by eleven inches in size, and it shall have two parallel lines, each one quarter of an inch in width, printed across its face, paralleling the top, with an intervening space of one-quarter of an inch between such lines. The top line shall be one and one-quarter inches from the top of the envelope. Between the parallel lines shall be printed: "official armed service absent voter's early voting balloting material--via air mail." The appropriate return address of the director of the board of elections shall be printed in the upper left corner on the face of such envelope. Several blank lines shall be printed on the face of such envelope in the lower right portion, below the bottom parallel line, for writing in the name and address of the elector to whom such envelope is mailed. All printing on such envelope shall be in red ink.

Sec. 3511.08.  The director of the board of elections shall keep a record of the name and address of each person to whom he the director mails or delivers armed service absent voter's early voting ballots, the kinds of ballots so mailed or delivered, and the name and address of the person who made the application for such ballots. After he the director has mailed or delivered such ballots he, the director shall not mail or deliver additional ballots of the same kind to such person pursuant to a subsequent request unless such subsequent request contains the statement that an earlier request had been sent to the director prior to the thirtieth day before the election and that the armed service absent voter's early voting ballots so requested had not been received by such person prior to the fifteenth day before the election, and provided that the director has not received an identification envelope purporting to contain marked armed service absent voter's early voting ballots from such person.

Sec. 3511.09.  Upon receiving armed service absent voter's early voting ballots, the elector shall cause the questions on the face of the identification envelope to be answered, and, by writing the elector's usual signature in the proper place on the identification envelope, the elector shall declare under penalty of election falsification that the answers to those questions are true and correct to the best of the elector's knowledge and belief. Then, the elector shall note whether there are any voting marks on the ballot. If there are any voting marks, the ballot shall be returned immediately to the board of elections; otherwise, the elector shall cause the ballot to be marked, folded separately so as to conceal the markings on it, deposited in the identification envelope, and securely sealed in the identification envelope. The elector then shall cause the identification envelope to be placed within the return envelope, sealed in the return envelope, and mailed to the director of the board of elections to whom it is addressed. If the elector does not provide the elector's driver's license number or the last four digits of the elector's social security number on the statement of voter on the identification envelope, the elector also shall include in the return envelope with the identification envelope a copy of the elector's current valid photo identification, a copy of a military identification that shows the elector's name and current address, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than a notice of an election mailed by a board of elections under section 3501.19 of the Revised Code or a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections under section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, that shows the name and address of the elector. Each elector who will be outside the United States on the day of the election shall check the box on the return envelope indicating this fact and shall mail the return envelope to the director prior to the close of the polls on election day.

Every armed services absent voter's early voting ballot identification envelope shall be accompanied by the following statement in boldface capital letters: WHOEVER COMMITS ELECTION FALSIFICATION IS GUILTY OF A FELONY OF THE FIFTH DEGREE.

Sec. 3511.10.  If, after the thirty-fifth day and before the close of the polls on the day of a general or primary election, a valid application for armed service absent voter's early voting ballots is delivered to the director of the board of elections at the office of the board by a person making the application in his on the person's own behalf, the director shall forthwith deliver to the person all armed service absent voter's early voting ballots then ready for use, together with an identification envelope. The person shall then immediately retire to a voting booth in the office of the board, and mark the ballots. He The person shall then fold each ballot separately so as to conceal his the person's markings thereon, and deposit all of the ballots in the identification envelope and securely seal it. Thereupon he the person shall fill in answers to the questions on the face of the identification envelope, and by writing his the person's usual signature in the proper place thereon, he the person shall declare under penalty of election falsification that the answers to those questions are true and correct to the best of his that person's knowledge and belief. He The person shall then deliver the identification envelope to the director. If thereafter, and before the third day preceding such election, the board provides additional separate official issue or special election ballots, as provided for in section 3511.04 of the Revised Code, the director shall promptly, and not later than twelve noon of the third day preceding the day of election, mail such additional ballots to such person at the address specified by him that person for that purpose.

In the event any person serving in the armed forces of the United States is discharged after the closing date of registration, and he that person or his that person's spouse, or both, meets all the other qualifications set forth in section 3511.01 of the Revised Code, he or she the person or spouse shall be permitted to vote prior to the date of the election in the office of the board in his the person's or spouse's county, as set forth in this section.

Sec. 3511.11.  (A) Upon receipt of any return envelope bearing the designation "Official Election Armed Service Absent Voter's Early Voting Ballot" prior to the twenty-first day after the day of a presidential primary election or prior to the eleventh day after the day of any other election, the director of the board of elections shall open it but shall not open the identification envelope contained in it. If, upon so opening the return envelope, the director finds ballots in it that are not enclosed in and properly sealed in the identification envelope, the director shall not look at the markings upon the ballots and shall promptly place them in the identification envelope and promptly seal it. If, upon so opening the return envelope, the director finds that ballots are enclosed in the identification envelope but that it is not properly sealed, the director shall not look at the markings upon the ballots and shall promptly seal the identification envelope.

(B) Armed service absent voter's early voting ballots delivered to the director not later than the close of the polls on election day shall be counted in the manner provided in section 3509.06 of the Revised Code.

(C) A return envelope that indicates that the voter will be outside of the United States on the day of an election is not required to be postmarked in order for an armed service absent voter's early voting ballot contained in it to be valid. Except as otherwise provided in this division, whether or not the return envelope containing the ballot is postmarked or contains an illegible postmark, an armed service absent voter's early voting ballot that is received after the close of the polls on election day through the tenth day after the election day or, if the election was a presidential primary election, through the twentieth day after the election day, and that is delivered in a return envelope that indicates that the voter will be outside the United States on the day of the election shall be counted on the eleventh day after the election day or, if the election was a presidential primary election, on the twenty-first day after the election day, at the office of the board of elections in the manner provided in divisions (C) and (D) of section 3509.06 of the Revised Code. However, if a return envelope containing an armed service absent voter's early voting ballot is so received and so indicates, but it is postmarked, or the identification envelope in it is signed, after the close of the polls on election day, the armed service absent voter's early voting ballot shall not be counted.

(D) Armed service absent voter's early voting ballots contained in return envelopes that bear the designation "Official Election Armed Service Absent Voter's Early Voting Ballots," that are received by the director after the close of the polls on the day of the election, and that do not indicate they are from voters who will be outside the United States on the day of the election, armed service absent voter's early voting ballots contained in return envelopes that bear that designation, that indicate that the voter will be outside the United States on the day of the election, and that either are postmarked, or contain an identification envelope that is signed, after the close of the polls on the day of election, and armed service absent voter's early voting ballots contained in return envelopes that bear that designation, that so indicate, and that are received after the tenth day following the election or, if the election was a presidential primary election, after the twentieth day following the election, shall not be counted, but shall be preserved in their identification envelopes unopened until the time provided by section 3505.31 of the Revised Code for the destruction of all other ballots used at the election for which ballots were provided, at which time they shall be destroyed.

Sec. 3511.12.  In counting armed service absent voter's early voting ballots pursuant to section 3511.11 of the Revised Code, the name of each voter, followed by "Armed Service Absent Voter's Early Voting Ballot," shall be written in the poll book or poll list together with such notations as will indicate the kinds of ballots the envelope contained. If any challenge is made and sustained, the identification envelope of such voter shall not be opened and shall be indorsed "not counted" with the reasons therefor.

Sec. 3511.13. (A) The poll list or signature pollbook for each precinct shall identify each registered elector in that precinct who has requested an armed service absent voter's early voting ballot for that election.

(B)(1) If a registered elector appears to vote in that precinct and that elector has requested an armed service absent voter's early voting ballot for that election but the director has not received a sealed identification envelope purporting to contain that elector's voted armed service absent voter's early voting ballots for that election, the elector shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code in that precinct on the day of that election.

(2) If a registered elector appears to vote in that precinct and that elector has requested an armed service absent voter's early voting ballot for that election and the director has received a sealed identification envelope purporting to contain that elector's voted armed service absent voter's early voting ballots for that election, the elector shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code in that precinct on the day of that election.

(C)(1) In counting armed service absent voter's early voting ballots under section 3511.11 of the Revised Code, the board of elections shall compare the signature of each elector from whom the director has received a sealed identification envelope purporting to contain that elector's voted armed service absent voter's early voting ballots for that election to the signature on the elector's registration form. Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(3) of this section, if the board of elections determines that the armed service absent voter's early voting ballot in the sealed identification envelope is valid, it shall be counted. If the board of elections determines that the signature on the sealed identification envelope purporting to contain the elector's voted armed service absent voter's early voting ballot does not match the signature on the elector's registration form, the ballot shall be set aside and the board shall examine, during the time prior to the beginning of the official canvass, the poll list or signature pollbook from the precinct in which the elector is registered to vote to determine if the elector also cast a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code in that precinct on the day of the election.

(2) The board of elections shall count the provisional ballot, instead of the armed service absent voter's early voting ballot, of an elector from whom the director has received an identification envelope purporting to contain that elector's voted armed service absent voter's early voting ballots, if both of the following apply:

(a) The board of elections determines that the signature of the elector on the outside of the identification envelope in which the armed service absent voter's early voting ballots are enclosed does not match the signature of the elector on the elector's registration form;

(b) The elector cast a provisional ballot in the precinct on the day of the election.

(3) If the board of elections does not receive the sealed identification envelope purporting to contain the elector's voted armed service absent voter's early voting ballot by the applicable deadline established under section 3511.11 of the Revised Code, the provisional ballot cast under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code in that precinct on the day of the election shall be counted as valid, if that provisional ballot is otherwise determined to be valid pursuant to section 3505.183 of the Revised Code.

(D) If the board of elections counts a provisional ballot under division (C)(2) or (3) of this section, the returned identification envelope of that elector shall not be opened, and the ballot within that envelope shall not be counted. The identification envelope shall be endorsed "Not Counted" with the reason the ballot was not counted.

Sec. 3513.052. (A) No person shall seek nomination or election to any of the following offices or positions at the same election by filing a declaration of candidacy and petition, a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or a nominating petition, or by becoming a candidate through party nomination in a primary election, or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 or 3513.31 of the Revised Code:

(1) Two or more state offices;

(2) Two or more county offices;

(3) A state office and a county office;

(4) A federal office and a state or county office;

(5) Any combination of two or more municipal or township offices, positions as a member of a city, local, or exempted village board of education, or positions as a member of a governing board of an educational service center.

(B) The secretary of state or a board of elections shall not accept for filing a declaration of candidacy and petition, a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or a nominating petition of a person seeking to become a candidate if that person, for the same election, has already filed a declaration of candidacy, a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or a nominating petition, or has become a candidate through party nomination at a primary election or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 or 3513.31 of the Revised Code for:

(1) Any federal, state, or county office, if the declaration of candidacy, declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or nominating petition is for a state or county office;

(2) Any municipal or township office, or for member of a city, local, or exempted village board of education, or for member of a governing board of an educational service center, if the declaration of candidacy, declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or nominating petition is for a municipal or township office, or for member of a city, local, or exempted village board of education, or for member of a governing board of an educational service center.

(C)(1) If the secretary of state determines, before the day of the primary election, that a person is seeking nomination to more than one office at that election in violation of division (A) of this section, the secretary of state shall do one of the following:

(a) If each office or the district for each office for which the person is seeking nomination is wholly within a single county and none of those offices is a federal office, the secretary of state shall notify the board of elections of that county. The board then shall determine the date on which the person first sought to become a candidate for each of those offices by filing a declaration of candidacy or a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 of the Revised Code. The board shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office for which the person sought to become a candidate after the date on which the person first sought to become a candidate for any of those offices. If the board determines that the person sought to become a candidate for more than one of those offices on the same date, the board shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks nomination, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code.

(b) If one or more of the offices for which the person is seeking nomination is a state office or an office with a district larger than a single county and none of the offices for which the person is seeking nomination is a federal office, the secretary of state shall determine the date on which the person first sought to become a candidate for each of those offices by filing a declaration of candidacy or a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 of the Revised Code. The secretary of state shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office for which the person sought to become a candidate after the date on which the person first sought to become a candidate for any of those offices. If the secretary of state determines that the person sought to become a candidate for more than one of those offices on the same date, the secretary of state shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks nomination, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code. Each board of elections so notified shall vote promptly to disqualify the person as a candidate in accordance with the order of the secretary of state.

(c) If each office or the district for each office for which the person is seeking nomination is wholly within a single county and any of those offices is a federal office, the secretary of state shall notify the board of elections of that county. The board then shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that is not a federal office.

(d) If one or more of the offices for which the person is seeking nomination is a state office and any of the offices for which the person is seeking nomination is a federal office, the secretary of state shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that is not a federal office. Each board of elections so notified shall vote promptly to disqualify the person as a candidate in accordance with the order of the secretary of state.

(2) If a board of elections determines, before the day of the primary election, that a person is seeking nomination to more than one office at that election in violation of division (A) of this section, the board shall do one of the following:

(a) If each office or the district for each office for which the person is seeking nomination is wholly within that county and none of those offices is a federal office, the board shall determine the date on which the person first sought to become a candidate for each of those offices by filing a declaration of candidacy or a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 of the Revised Code. The board shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office for which the person sought to become a candidate after the date on which the person first sought to become a candidate for any of those offices. If the board determines that the person sought to become a candidate for more than one of those offices on the same date, the board shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks nomination, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code.

(b) If one or more of the offices for which the person is seeking nomination is a state office or an office with a district larger than a single county and none of the offices for which the person is seeking nomination is a federal office, the board shall notify the secretary of state. The secretary of state then shall determine the date on which the person first sought to become a candidate for each of those offices by filing a declaration of candidacy or a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 of the Revised Code. The secretary of state shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office for which the person sought to become a candidate after the date on which the person first sought to become a candidate for any of those offices. If the secretary of state determines that the person sought to become a candidate for more than one of those offices on the same date, the secretary of state shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks nomination, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code. Each board of elections so notified shall vote promptly to disqualify the person as a candidate in accordance with the order of the secretary of state.

(c) If each office or the district for each office for which the person is seeking nomination is wholly within a single county and any of those offices is a federal office, the board shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that is not a federal office.

(d) If one or more of the offices for which the person is seeking nomination is a state office and any of the offices for which the person is seeking nomination is a federal office, the board shall notify the secretary of state. The secretary of state then shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that is not a federal office. Each board of elections so notified shall vote promptly to disqualify the person as a candidate in accordance with the order of the secretary of state.

(D)(1) If the secretary of state determines, after the day of the primary election and before the day of the general election, that a person is seeking election to more than one office at that election in violation of division (A) of this section, the secretary of state shall do one of the following:

(a) If each office or the district for each office for which the person is seeking election is wholly within a single county and none of those offices is a federal office, the secretary of state shall notify the board of elections of that county. The board then shall determine the offices for which the person seeks to appear as a candidate on the ballot. The board shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks election, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code. If the person sought nomination at a primary election and has not yet been issued a certificate of nomination, the board shall not issue that certificate for that person for any office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks election, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code.

(b) If one or more of the offices for which the person is seeking election is a state office or an office with a district larger than a single county and none of the offices for which the person is seeking election is a federal office, the secretary of state shall promptly investigate and determine the offices for which the person seeks to appear as a candidate on the ballot. The secretary of state shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks election, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code. Each board of elections so notified shall vote promptly to disqualify the person as a candidate in accordance with the order of the secretary of state. If the person sought nomination at a primary election and has not yet been issued a certificate of nomination, the board shall not issue that certificate for that person for any office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks election, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code.

(c) If each office or the district for each office for which the person is seeking election is wholly within a single county and any of those offices is a federal office, the secretary of state shall notify the board of elections of that county. The board then shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that is not a federal office. If the person sought nomination at a primary election and has not yet been issued a certificate of nomination, the board shall not issue that certificate for that person for any office that is not a federal office.

(d) If one or more of the offices for which the person is seeking election is a state office and any of the offices for which the person is seeking election is a federal office, the secretary of state shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that is not a federal office. Each board of elections so notified shall vote promptly to disqualify the person as a candidate in accordance with the order of the secretary of state. If the person sought nomination at a primary election and has not yet been issued a certificate of nomination, the board shall not issue that certificate for that person for any office that is not a federal office.

(2) If a board of elections determines, after the day of the primary election and before the day of the general election, that a person is seeking election to more than one office at that election in violation of division (A) of this section, the board of elections shall do one of the following:

(a) If each office or the district for each office for which the person is seeking election is wholly within that county and none of those offices is a federal office, the board shall determine the offices for which the person seeks to appear as a candidate on the ballot. The board shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks election, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code. If the person sought nomination at a primary election and has not yet been issued a certificate of nomination, the board shall not issue that certificate for that person for any office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks election, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code.

(b) If one or more of the offices for which the person is seeking election is a state office or an office with a district larger than a single county and none of the offices for which the person is seeking election is a federal office, the board shall notify the secretary of state. The secretary of state promptly shall investigate and determine the offices for which the person seeks to appear as a candidate on the ballot. The secretary of state shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks election, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code. Each board of elections so notified shall vote promptly to disqualify the person as a candidate in accordance with the order of the secretary of state. If the person sought nomination at a primary election and has not yet been issued a certificate of nomination, the board shall not issue that certificate for that person for any office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks election, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code.

(c) If each office or the district for each office for which the person is seeking election is wholly within that county and any of those offices is a federal office, the board shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that is not a federal office. If the person sought nomination at a primary election and has not yet been issued a certificate of nomination, the board shall not issue that certificate for that person for any office that is not a federal office.

(d) If one or more of the offices for which the person is seeking election is a state office and any of the offices for which the person is seeking election is a federal office, the board shall notify the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that is not a federal office. Each board of elections so notified shall vote promptly to disqualify the person as a candidate in accordance with the order of the secretary of state. If the person sought nomination at a primary election and has not yet been issued a certificate of nomination, the board shall not issue that certificate for that person for any office that is not a federal office.

(E) When a person is disqualified as a candidate under division (C) or (D) of this section, on or before the sixtieth day before the day of the applicable election, or, if the election is a presidential primary election, on or before the forty-fifth day before the day of the presidential primary election, the board of elections shall remove the person's name from the ballot for any office for which that person has been disqualified as a candidate according to the directions of the secretary of state. When a person is disqualified as a candidate under division (C) or (D) of this section after the sixtieth day before the day of the applicable election, or, if the election is a presidential primary election, after the forty-fifth day before the day of the presidential primary election, the board of elections shall not remove the person's name from the ballot for any office for which that person has been disqualified as a candidate. The board of elections shall post a notice at each polling location on the day of the applicable election, and shall enclose with each absent voter's early voting ballot given or mailed after the candidate is disqualified, a notice that votes for the person for the office for which the person has been disqualified as a candidate will be void and will not be counted. If the name is not removed from the ballots before the day of the election, the votes for the disqualified candidate are void and shall not be counted.

(F) Any vacancy created by the disqualification of a person as a candidate under division (C) or (D) of this section may be filled in the manner provided for in sections 3513.30 and 3513.31 of the Revised Code.

(G) Nothing in this section or section 3513.04, 3513.041, 3513.05, 3513.251, 3513.253, 3513.254, 3513.255, 3513.257, 3513.259, or 3513.261 of the Revised Code prohibits, and the secretary of state or a board of elections shall not disqualify, a person from being a candidate for an office, if that person timely withdraws as a candidate for any offices specified in division (A) of this section for which that person first sought to become a candidate by filing a declaration of candidacy and petition, a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or a nominating petition, by party nomination in a primary election, or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 or 3513.31 of the Revised Code.

(H) As used in this section:

(1) "State office" means the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor of state, treasurer of state, attorney general, member of the state board of education, member of the general assembly, chief justice of the supreme court, and justice of the supreme court.

(2) "Timely withdraws" means either of the following:

(a) Withdrawing as a candidate before the applicable deadline for filing a declaration of candidacy, declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or nominating petition for the subsequent office for which the person is seeking to become a candidate at the same election;

(b) Withdrawing as a candidate before the applicable deadline for the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 or 3513.31 of the Revised Code, if the person is seeking to become a candidate for a subsequent office at the same election under either of those sections.

Sec. 3513.15.  The names of the candidates in each group of two or more candidates seeking the same nomination or election at a primary election, except delegates and alternates to the national convention of a political party, shall be rotated and printed as provided in section 3505.03 of the Revised Code, except that no indication of membership in or affiliation with a political party shall be printed after or under the candidate's name. When the names of the first choices for president of candidates for delegate and alternate are not grouped with the names of such candidates, the names of the first choices for president shall be rotated in the same manner as the names of candidates. The specific form and size of the ballot shall be prescribed by the secretary of state in compliance with this chapter.

It shall not be necessary to have the names of candidates for member of a county central committee printed on the ballots provided for absentee early voters, and the board may cause the names of such candidates to be written on said ballots in the spaces provided therefor.

The secretary of state shall prescribe the procedure for rotating the names of candidates on the ballot and the form of the ballot for the election of delegates and alternates to the national convention of a political party in accordance with section 3513.151 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 3513.30.  (A)(1) If only one valid declaration of candidacy is filed for nomination as a candidate of a political party for an office and that candidate dies prior to the tenth day before the primary election, both of the following may occur:

(a) The political party whose candidate died may fill the vacancy so created as provided in division (A)(2) of this section.

(b) Any major political party other than the one whose candidate died may select a candidate as provided in division (A)(2) of this section under either of the following circumstances:

(i) No person has filed a valid declaration of candidacy for nomination as that party's candidate at the primary election.

(ii) Only one person has filed a valid declaration of candidacy for nomination as that party's candidate at the primary election, that person has withdrawn, died, or been disqualified under section 3513.052 of the Revised Code, and the vacancy so created has not been filled.

(2) A vacancy may be filled under division (A)(1)(a) and a selection may be made under division (A)(1)(b) of this section by the appropriate committee of the political party in the same manner as provided in divisions (A) to (E) of section 3513.31 of the Revised Code for the filling of similar vacancies created by withdrawals or disqualifications under section 3513.052 of the Revised Code after the primary election, except that the certification required under that section may not be filed with the secretary of state, or with a board of the most populous county of a district, or with the board of a county in which the major portion of the population of a subdivision is located, later than four p.m. of the tenth day before the day of such primary election, or with any other board later than four p.m. of the fifth day before the day of such primary election.

(3) If only one valid declaration of candidacy is filed for nomination as a candidate of a political party for an office and that candidate dies on or after the tenth day before the day of the primary election, that candidate is considered to have received the nomination of that candidate's political party at that primary election, and, for purposes of filling the vacancy so created, that candidate's death shall be treated as if that candidate died on the day after the day of the primary election.

(B) Any person filing a declaration of candidacy may withdraw as such candidate at any time prior to the primary election, or, if the primary election is a presidential primary election, at any time prior to the fiftieth day before the presidential primary election. The withdrawal shall be effected and the statement of withdrawal shall be filed in accordance with the procedures prescribed in division (D) of this section for the withdrawal of persons nominated in a primary election or by nominating petition.

(C) A person who is the first choice for president of the United States by a candidate for delegate or alternate to a national convention of a political party may withdraw consent for the selection of the person as such first choice no later than four p.m. of the thirtieth day before the day of the presidential primary election. Withdrawal of consent shall be for the entire slate of candidates for delegates and alternates who named such person as their presidential first choice and shall constitute withdrawal from the primary election by such delegates and alternates. The withdrawal shall be made in writing and delivered to the secretary of state. If the withdrawal is delivered to the secretary of state on or before the sixtieth day before the day of the primary election, or, if the election is a presidential primary election, on or before the forty-fifth day before the day of the presidential primary election, the boards of elections shall remove both the name of the withdrawn first choice and the names of such withdrawn candidates from the ballots according to the directions of the secretary of state. If the withdrawal is delivered to the secretary of state after the sixtieth day before the day of the primary election, or, if the election is a presidential primary election, after the forty-fifth day before the day of the presidential primary election, the board of elections shall not remove the name of the withdrawn first choice and the names of the withdrawn candidates from the ballots. The board of elections shall post a notice at each polling location on the day of the primary election, and shall enclose with each absent voter's early voting ballot given or mailed after the candidate withdraws, a notice that votes for the withdrawn first choice or the withdrawn candidates will be void and will not be counted. If such names are not removed from all ballots before the day of the election, the votes for the withdrawn first choice or the withdrawn candidates are void and shall not be counted.

(D) Any person nominated in a primary election or by nominating petition as a candidate for election at the next general election may withdraw as such candidate at any time prior to the general election. Such withdrawal may be effected by the filing of a written statement by such candidate announcing the candidate's withdrawal and requesting that the candidate's name not be printed on the ballots. If such candidate's declaration of candidacy or nominating petition was filed with the secretary of state, the candidate's statement of withdrawal shall be addressed to and filed with the secretary of state. If such candidate's declaration of candidacy or nominating petition was filed with a board of elections, the candidate's statement of withdrawal shall be addressed to and filed with such board.

(E) When a person withdraws under division (B) or (D) of this section on or before the sixtieth day before the day of the primary election, or, if the election is a presidential primary election, on or before the forty-fifth day before the day of the presidential primary election, the board of elections shall remove the name of the withdrawn candidate from the ballots according to the directions of the secretary of state. When a person withdraws under division (B) or (D) of this section after the sixtieth day before the day of the primary election, or, if the election is a presidential primary election, after the forty-fifth day before the day of the presidential primary election, the board of elections shall not remove the name of the withdrawn candidate from the ballots. The board of elections shall post a notice at each polling place on the day of the primary election, and shall enclose with each absent voter's early voting ballot given or mailed after the candidate withdraws, a notice that votes for the withdrawn candidate will be void and will not be counted. If the name is not removed from all ballots before the day of the election, the votes for the withdrawn candidate are void and shall not be counted.

Sec. 3515.01.  Any person for whom votes were cast in a primary election for nomination as a candidate for election to an office who was not declared nominated may file with the board of elections of a county a written application for a recount of the votes cast at such primary election in any precinct in such county for all persons for whom votes were cast in such precinct for such nomination.

Any person who was a candidate at a general, special, or primary election for election to an office or postion position who was not declared elected may file with the board of a county a written application for a recount of the votes cast at such election in any precinct in such county for all candidates for election to such office or position.

Any group of five or more qualified electors may file with the board of a county a written application for a recount of the votes cast at an election in any precinct in such county upon any question or issue, provided that the members of such group shall state in such application either that they voted "Yes" or in favor of such question or issue and that such question or issue was declared defeated or rejected, or that they voted "No" or against such question or issue and that such question or issue was declared carried or adopted. Such group of electors shall, in such application, designate one of the members of the group as chairman chairperson, and shall indicate therein the voting residence of each member of such group. In all such applications the person designated as chairman chairperson is the applicant for the purposes of sections 3515.01 to 3515.07 of the Revised Code, and all notices required by section 3515.03 of the Revised Code to be given to an applicant for a recount shall be given to such person.

In the recount of absentee early voting ballots that are tallied by county instead of by precinct, as provided in section 3509.06 of the Revised Code, the county shall be considered a separate precinct for purposes of recounting such absentee early voting ballots.

Sec. 3517.08.  (A) The personal expenses of a candidate paid for by the candidate, from the candidate's personal funds, shall not be considered as a contribution by or an expenditure by the candidate and shall not be reported under section 3517.10 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) An expenditure by a political action committee or a political contributing entity shall not be considered a contribution by the political action committee or the political contributing entity or an expenditure by or on behalf of the candidate if the purpose of the expenditure is to inform only its members by means of mailed publications of its activities or endorsements.

(2) An expenditure by a political party shall not be considered a contribution by the political party or an expenditure by or on behalf of the candidate if the purpose of the expenditure is to inform predominantly the party's members by means of mailed publications or other direct communication of its activities or endorsements, or for voter contact such as sample ballots, absent voter's early voting ballots application mailings, voter registration, or get-out-the-vote activities.

(C) An expenditure by a continuing association, political contributing entity, or political party shall not be considered a contribution to any campaign committee or an expenditure by or on behalf of any campaign committee if the purpose of the expenditure is for the staff and maintenance of the continuing association's, political contributing entity's, or political party's headquarters, or for a political poll, survey, index, or other type of measurement not on behalf of a specific candidate.

(D) The expenses of maintaining a constituent office paid for, from the candidate's personal funds, by a candidate who is a member of the general assembly at the time of the election shall not be considered a contribution by or an expenditure by or on behalf of the candidate, and shall not be reported, if the constituent office is not used for any candidate's campaign activities.

(E) The net contribution of each social or fund-raising activity shall be calculated by totaling all contributions to the activity minus the expenditures made for the activity.

(F) An expenditure that purchases goods or services shall be attributed to an election when the disbursement of funds is made, rather than at the time the goods or services are used. The secretary of state, under the procedures of Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall establish rules for the attribution of expenditures to a candidate when the candidate is a candidate for more than one office during a reporting period and for expenditures made in a year in which no election is held. The secretary of state shall further define by rule those expenditures that are or are not by or on behalf of a candidate.

(G) An expenditure for the purpose of a charitable donation may be made if it is made to an organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(8), 501(c)(10), or 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code or is approved by advisory opinion of the Ohio elections commission as a legitimate charitable organization. Each expenditure under this division shall be separately itemized on statements made pursuant to section 3517.10 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 3599.11.  (A) No person shall knowingly register or make application or attempt to register in a precinct in which the person is not a qualified voter; or knowingly aid or abet any person to so register; or attempt to register or knowingly induce or attempt to induce any person to so register; or knowingly impersonate another or write or assume the name of another, real or fictitious, in registering or attempting to register; or by false statement or other unlawful means procure, aid, or attempt to procure the erasure or striking out on the register or duplicate list of the name of a qualified elector therein; or knowingly induce or attempt to induce a registrar or other election authority to refuse registration in a precinct to an elector thereof; or knowingly swear or affirm falsely upon a lawful examination by or before any registering officer; or make, print, or issue any false or counterfeit certificate of registration or knowingly alter any certificate of registration.

No person shall knowingly register under more than one name or knowingly induce any person to so register.

No person shall knowingly make any false statement on any form for registration or change of registration or upon any application or return envelope for an absent voter's early voting ballot.

Whoever violates this division is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree.

(B)(1) No person who helps another person register outside an official voter registration place shall knowingly destroy, or knowingly help another person to destroy, any completed registration form.

Whoever violates this division is guilty of election falsification, a felony of the fifth degree.

(2)(a) No person who helps another person register outside an official voter registration place shall knowingly fail to return any registration form entrusted to that person to any board of elections or the office of the secretary of state within ten days after that regsitration registration form is completed, or on or before the thirtieth day before the election, whichever day is earlier, unless the registration form is received by the person within twenty-four hours of the thirtieth day before the election, in which case the person shall return the registration form to any board of elections or the office of the secretary of state within ten days of its receipt.

Whoever violates this division is guilty of election falsification, a felony of the fifth degree, unless the person has not previously been convicted of a violation of division (B)(2)(a), (B)(2)(b), (C)(1), or (C)(2) of this section, the violation of this division does not cause any person to miss any voter registration deadline with regard to any election, and the number of voter registration forms that the violator has failed to properly return does not exceed forty-nine, in which case the violator is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(b) Subject to division (C)(2) of this section, no person who helps another person register outside an official registration place shall knowingly return any registration form entrusted to that person to any location other than any board of elections or the office of the secretary of state.

Whoever violates this division is guilty of election falsification, a felony of the fifth degree, unless the person has not previously been convicted of a violation of division (B)(2)(a), (B)(2)(b), (C)(1), or (C)(2) of this section, the violation of this division does not cause any person to miss any voter registration deadline with regard to any election, and the number of voter registration forms that the violator has failed to properly return does not exceed forty-nine, in which case the violator is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(C)(1) No person who receives compensation for registering a voter shall knowingly fail to return any registration form entrusted to that person to any board of elections or the office of the secretary of state within ten days after that voter registration form is completed, or on or before the thirtieth day before the election, whichever is earlier, unless the registration form is received by the person within twenty-four hours of the thirtieth day before the election, in which case the person shall return the registration form to any board of elections or the office of the secrtary secretary of state within ten days of its receipt.

Whoever violates this division is guilty of election falsification, a felony of the fifth degree, unless the person has not previously been convicted of a violation of division (B)(2)(a), (B)(2)(b), (C)(1), or (C)(2) of this section, the violation of this division does not cause any person to miss any voter registration deadline with regard to any election, and the number of voter registration forms that the violator has failed to properly return does not exceed forty-nine, in which case the violator is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(2) No person who receives compensation for registering a voter shall knowingly return any registration form entrusted to that person to any location other than any board of elections or the office of the secretary of state.

Whoever violates this division is guilty of election falsification, a felony of the fifth degree, unless the person has not previously been convicted of a violation of division (B)(2)(a), (B)(2)(b), (C)(1), or (C)(2) of this section, the violation of this division does not cause any person to miss any voter registration deadline with regard to any election, and the number of voter registration forms that the violator has failed to properly return does not exceed forty-nine, in which case the violator is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(D) As used in division (C) of this section, "registering a voter" includes any effort, for compensation, to provide voter registration forms or to assist persons in completing or returning those forms.

Sec. 3599.12.  (A) No person shall do any of the following:

(1) Vote or attempt to vote in any primary, special, or general election in a precinct in which that person is not a legally qualified elector;

(2) Vote or attempt to vote more than once at the same election by any means, including voting or attempting to vote both by absent voter's early voting ballots under division (G) of section 3503.16 of the Revised Code and by regular ballot at the polls at the same election, or voting or attempting to vote both by absent voter's early voting ballots under division (G) of section 3503.16 of the Revised Code and by absent voter's early voting ballots under Chapter 3509. or armed service absent voter's early voting ballots under Chapter 3511. of the Revised Code at the same election;

(3) Impersonate or sign the name of another person, real or fictitious, living or dead, and vote or attempt to vote as that other person in any such election;

(4) Cast a ballot at any such election after objection has been made and sustained to that person's vote;

(5) Knowingly vote or attempt to vote a ballot other than the official ballot.

(B) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of a felony of the fourth degree.

Sec. 3599.21.  (A) No person shall knowingly do any of the following:

(1) Impersonate another, or make a false representation in order to obtain an absent voter's early voting ballot;

(2) Aid or abet a person to vote an absent voter's early voting ballot illegally;

(3) If the person is an election official, open, destroy, steal, mark, or mutilate any absent voter's early voting ballot;

(4) Aid or abet another person to open, destroy, steal, mark, or mutilate any absent voter's early voting ballot after the ballot has been voted;

(5) Delay the delivery of any absent voter's early voting ballot with a view to preventing its arrival in time to be counted;

(6) Hinder or attempt to hinder the delivery or counting of such absent voter's early voting ballot;

(7) Fail to forward to the appropriate election official an absent voter's early voting ballot application entrusted to that person to so forward;

(8) Fail to forward to the appropriate election official an absent voter's early voting ballot application entrusted to that person to so forward within ten days after that application is completed or within such a time period that the failure to so forward the application disenfranchises the voter with respect to a particular election, whichever is earlier;

(9) Except as authorized under Chapters 3509. and 3511. of the Revised Code, possess the absent voter's early voting ballot of another.

(B)(1) Subject to division (B)(2) of this section, no person who receives compensation for soliciting persons to apply to vote by absent voter's early voting ballots shall fail to forward to the appropriate election official an absent voter's early voting ballot application entrusted to that person to so forward within ten days after that application is completed.

(2) No person who receives compensation for soliciting persons to apply to vote by absent voter's early voting ballots shall fail to forward to the appropriate election official an absent voter's early voting ballot application entrusted to that person to so forward within such a time period that the failure to so forward the application disenfranchises the voter with respect to a particular election.

(C) Whoever violates division (A) or (B) of this section is guilty of a felony of the fourth degree.

(D) As used in this section, "person who receives compensation for soliciting persons to apply to vote by absent voter's early voting ballots" includes any effort, for compensation, to provide absent voter's early voting ballot applications or to assist persons in completing those applications or returning them to the director of the board of elections of the county in which the applicant's voting residence is located.

Section 2. That existing sections 3501.05, 3501.29, 3501.90, 3503.16, 3504.04, 3505.03, 3505.181, 3505.182, 3505.20, 3509.01, 3509.02, 3509.021, 3509.022, 3509.03, 3509.031, 3509.04, 3509.05, 3509.06, 3509.07, 3509.08, 3509.09, 3511.01, 3511.02, 3511.03, 3511.04, 3511.05, 3511.051, 3511.06, 3511.08, 3511.09, 3511.10, 3511.11, 3511.12, 3511.13, 3513.052, 3513.15, 3513.30, 3515.01, 3517.08, 3599.11, 3599.12, and 3599.21 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.

Section 3. Notwithstanding any provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, any absent voter's ballot prepared under Chapter 3509. or 3511. of the Revised Code prior to the effective date of this act for use in an election conducted on or after the effective date of this act may be used in that election as if the ballot were an early voting ballot, regardless of whether the words "absent voter's ballot" appear on the ballot, identification envelope, or return envelope.