Ohio is set to implement significant changes to absentee voting as part of its preparations for the 2026 elections. Governor Mike DeWine recently signed legislation eliminating the four-day grace period for ballots arriving after Election Day. This adjustment stipulates that absentee ballots must be received by polls’ closing time on Election Day to be counted.
Key Changes to Absentee Voting in Ohio
This new law aligns Ohio with 36 other states requiring ballots to arrive by the conclusion of voting on Election Day. Under the previous regulations, mail-in ballots could be accepted if postmarked by the day before the election and received up to four days later. Proponents argued that this grace period was necessary to account for postal delays.
- The new legislation, Senate Bill 293, is explicitly notable for not providing any extension for most voters, with exceptions for military and overseas citizens.
- In the last election, approximately 7,300 out of 170,000 mailed ballots in Ohio arrived after Election Day.
- The law allows the secretary of state’s office to cancel voter registrations of individuals identified as noncitizens through state and federal databases.
Rationale Behind the Legislative Change
Ohio lawmakers supported the new deadline to ensure consistency with other states and to ward off potential legal challenges. The decision aligns with pressure from the Trump administration, which has vocally opposed mail-in voting practices. In addition, the U.S. Department of Justice indicated that retaining the grace period could constitute a violation of federal law, raising the possibility of litigation.
Implications for Future Elections
The legislation is set to become effective by mid-March, impacting the upcoming primary on May 5. Advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have expressed concerns. They argue that the new regulations could disenfranchise voters, particularly seniors, people with disabilities, and those living in rural areas.
- Jen Miller, the executive director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio, stated that lawmakers should focus on enhancing election processes rather than imposing new barriers to voting.
The looming U.S. Supreme Court case regarding ballot deadlines continues to add complexity to the situation. With election policies often leading to litigation, it remains uncertain if further disputes will arise from these recent changes.
