OhioSB 293136th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

Revise deadline to return absent voter ballots

Sponsored By: Andrew O. Brenner (Republican), Theresa Gavarone (Republican)

Signed by Governor

ElectionsVoting

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 4 mixed.

More checks and voter registration cancellations

Ohio checks voter records at least monthly using motor vehicle records and the federal SAVE immigration verification system. Counties must promptly cancel registrations identified as belonging to noncitizens, and the election integrity unit must investigate each person. Added cancellation grounds include specified notices or requests, fictitious voters, and duplicate registrations. The state also sends counties monthly death reports using Social Security, SAVE, or STEVE death records. Counties must promptly cancel registrations listed in those reports.

Flagged voters face verification and ballot options

Counties must send confirmation notices when they cannot verify a voter's address or the state flags identifying details. Those details include birth date, Ohio license or state ID number, and the last four Social Security digits. At the next vote, affected voters must vote provisionally unless they supplied the needed information beforehand. They must supply it with the ballot or in person at the county board within four days after Election Day. Rejection under this verification process requires registration cancellation, but flagged voters gain provisional-ballot access without needing an undelivered registration notice.

Voters gain safeguards against registration errors

Ohio must use uniform methods to handle voter-record mismatches; a mismatch alone cannot justify cancellation. Officials generally must contact voters when a mismatch affects regular-ballot access, subject to the exception in section 3503.201. Name or address updates require the voter's own change notice. Confirmation notices must meet federal requirements and include a correction form and prepaid, preaddressed return envelope sent by forwardable mail. After cancellation, counties must mail the reason and correction contact details; mistaken cancellations must be reversed as though they never happened.

Earlier return deadline for absent voters

Marked absent ballot envelopes must reach the county board of elections by poll closing on Election Day. The law removes the former four-day arrival window for certain ballots postmarked before Election Day. The exception in Ohio Revised Code section 3511.11 remains in place.

Provisional voters face four-day evidence deadlines

Provisional voters needing registration ID checks must supply the requested information on their ballot statement or to the county board. The deadline is the fourth day after Election Day for the ballot to be eligible to count. The statement includes fields for an Ohio license or state ID number and the last four Social Security digits. Challenged provisional voters also must submit required additional information by the fourth day, replacing the former seventh-day deadline.

Citizenship challenges bring proof and ballot options

Officials must challenge voters who present Ohio licenses, state IDs, or interim IDs marked noncitizen. A voter challenged over citizenship can cast a regular ballot with citizenship proof and a citizenship oath. An Ohio license or state ID number alone is not enough; without proof that day, officials must offer a provisional ballot. Required citizenship proof is due with the provisional ballot statement or to the board by the fourth day after Election Day. Voters who already proved citizenship to the motor vehicle bureau can write their full Ohio license or state ID number instead. Officials must provide a document list; provisional ballots count only when properly completed and the board finds the voter registered and eligible.

Citizenship documents get standards and privacy

Accepted citizenship proof includes a current Ohio license or state ID verified for citizenship by the motor vehicle bureau. Ohio licenses or IDs issued on or after April 7, 2023, also qualify if not marked noncitizen. Other options include birth certificates, consular birth reports, U.S. passports or passport cards, and naturalization or citizenship certificates. An approved I-797 notice for replacement citizenship documents through Form N-565 or its successor also qualifies. Voters whose legal names differ must provide name-change proof; citizenship documents in registration forms and the statewide database are protected from public disclosure.

Election commissioners face tighter political work limits

Ohio Election Integrity Commission members cannot hold or seek elected public office; the restriction no longer covers all public offices. Members cannot receive pay for goods or services supplied to candidates, campaign committees, political parties, or legislative campaign funds. The paid-work ban also covers political action committees and political contributing entities. The ban on soliciting contributions extends to legislative campaign funds.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Adam C. Bird
Republican • House
Adam Holmes
Republican • House
Adam Mathews
Republican • House
Al Cutrona
Republican • Senate
Angela N. King
Republican • House
Bernard Willis
Republican • House
Bill Roemer
Republican • House
Bob Peterson
Republican • House
Brian Stewart
Republican • House
Cindy Abrams
Republican • House
David Thomas
Republican • House
Gary Click
Republican • House
Jack K. Daniels
Republican • House
Jane M. Timken
Republican • Senate
Jennifer Gross
Republican • House
Jerry C. Cirino
Republican • Senate
Johnathan Newman
Republican • House
Josh Williams
Republican • House
Kellie Deeter
Republican • House
Kristina D. Roegner
Republican • Senate
Marilyn John
Republican • House
Melanie Miller
Republican • House
Michael D. Dovilla
Republican • House
Michele Reynolds
Republican • Senate
Mike Odioso
Republican • House
Monica Robb Blasdel
Republican • House
Phil Plummer
Republican • House
Riordan T. McClain
Republican • House
Rodney Creech
Republican • House
Sandra O'Brien
Republican • Senate
Shane Wilkin
Republican • Senate
Sharon A. Ray
Republican • House
Steve Wilson
Republican • Senate
Tex Fischer
Republican • House
Thomas Hall
Republican • House
Tom Young
Republican • House
Tracy M. Richardson
Republican • House
Ty D. Mathews
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 120 • No: 56

Senate vote • 11/20/2025

Concurred in House amendments

Yes: 23 • No: 10

House vote • 11/19/2025

Passed

Yes: 61 • No: 30

House vote • 11/18/2025

General Government: Reported

Yes: 8 • No: 4

Senate vote • 11/5/2025