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Election Reform Initiative

House Bill 194, which passed the Ohio House of Representatives, aims to modernize Ohio's election process through several reforms. The bill seeks to streamline operations, reduce costs for local boards of elections, eliminate "Golden Week," improve verification of provisional and absentee ballots, and set statewide absentee voting standards. Specifically, it allows for a centralized voter registration database, online address changes, electronic poll books, and ensures uniformity across absentee voting procedures. The legislation also aims to increase voter accessibility for those with disabilities.

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55 views1 page

Election Reform Initiative

House Bill 194, which passed the Ohio House of Representatives, aims to modernize Ohio's election process through several reforms. The bill seeks to streamline operations, reduce costs for local boards of elections, eliminate "Golden Week," improve verification of provisional and absentee ballots, and set statewide absentee voting standards. Specifically, it allows for a centralized voter registration database, online address changes, electronic poll books, and ensures uniformity across absentee voting procedures. The legislation also aims to increase voter accessibility for those with disabilities.

Uploaded by

cthenson
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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For Immediate Release: Contact: Colton Henson

May 18, 2011 (614) 466-2500

Hayes Announces Passage of Major Election Reform


Initiative
House Bill 194 will reduce costs, bolster accountability
COLUMBUS—State Representative Bill Hayes (R-Harrison Township) has announced that
the Ohio House of Representatives today passed a comprehensive set of reforms designed
to modernize the elections process, streamline operations and reduce costs for local
boards of elections. Additionally, House Bill 194 will eliminate what is known as “Golden
Week,” help to verify the accuracy of voter rolls, improve the verification process for valid
provisional and absentee ballots, and set statewide standards to absentee voting.

“We recognized some problems and did something about it, this is another example of the
House Republicans using common sense to drive policy,” Hayes said.

House Bill 194 includes the following provisions and many others:
· Allowing the creation of a top-down voter registration database and sharing of
information from other states to ensure the accuracy of voter registration rolls
· Allowing online change of address by registered voters
· Authorizing the certification and use of electronic poll books
· Simplifying the provisional voting process
· Ensuring statewide uniformity for the issuance of absentee voting applications,
absentee voting locations, and time periods
· Clarifying poll worker error

House Bill 194 also strives to increase voter accessibility by making Ohio law consistent
with ADA ramp requirements for Ohioans with disabilities, eliminating the need for
duplicate forms by allowing a provisional voter to use the affirmation form for change of
name or address, and reduces the number of reasons why a voter may be required to cast
a provisional ballot, among other measures.

The legislation will now move to the Ohio Senate, where it will undergo further
consideration.

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