Reps. Ray and Seitz Introduce Election Modernization and Security Act

State Reps. Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth) and Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) have introduced legislation that will modernize and codify election laws as they currently stand in the State of Ohio. 

“As a former member of the Medina County Board of Elections and the bipartisan Ohio Elections Officials Association, I feel strongly that Ohio does elections right,” said Ray. “The Election Modernization and Security Act will codify much of what Ohio is already doing. The integrity of Ohio’s election practices should continue to be above reproach.”

“The bill would allow for more secure and safe elections while ensuring Ohioans’ voices are heard at the ballot boxes,” said Seitz. “Ohio has been a leader in the way it runs its elections, and this bill will continue that positive track record.”

Some of the bill features include

• Allows for Ohio voters to request an absentee ballot online – through a secure two-factor authentication – similar to the current online voter registration system.
• Codifies automated (not automatic) voter registration through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). The BMV will also be able to update voter registration addresses when individuals update their addresses at the BMV.
• Allow for a prioritized list of voter identification methods – expanding the list to allow electronic versions of their bank statements or utility bills instead of hard copies.
• Requires extensive testing of voting machines prior to the use in any and all elections.
• Eliminates “in-person” voting the Monday before the election based on the request from many local Boards of Elections. “Monday hours” will be added to other early voting days.
• Prevents the mailing of absentee ballots less than 10 days before the election to ensure the USPS has enough time to deliver the ballot to the requester before Election Day.
• Expands the definition of voter activity to ensure fewer active voters are removed from the voter rolls.

“I feel this bill will not only make it easier to vote in the State of Ohio but harder to cheat. A goal we can all agree upon,” Ray added.

For additional details, please see the attached charts showing how the proposed legislation compares with current law and a comparison of Ohio to other states.