Thinking About Voting Absentee? Consider this.

[John Burik]

Many citizens will be requesting absentee ballots, but according to the Elections Assistance Commission (EAC) about 15,000 absentee applications in Ohio were denied in 2006. Approximately 12% of the absentee ballots cast in Hamilton County, OH did not count vs. about 3% residuals at the precinct in race for Governor. Here is how to make sure your vote will count:

Election Date

Absentee applications (whether handwritten or using a form) must include the date of the election in which the voter wishes to vote absentee. Hamilton County includes this information (Great idea!): "I wish to vote in the General election to be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008." Other counties do not, or include several possible dates (e.g. Special Election).

Birth Date

Some voters entered the date they filled out the application rather than their birth date. Other voters put in the right month and day but the current year. That's the voter's birthday, not the birth date.

ID

The absentee application MUST include ONE of the following:

Your Ohio driver’s license number* ______________, OR
The last four digits of your social security number ______________, OR
Copy of a current and valid photo identification, a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address. [August 14, 2008 Update: Latest information is that military ID is no longer required to show address.]

*License No.

Courtesy of the Lucas County Board of Elections website, the graphic below points out the correct number to use when applying for an absentee ballot. It is the one on the left side of the license below the words "LICENSE NO." and NOT at the top right.

Much of this may seem obvious but they are sources of error on absentee applications throughout the state. As you speak to voters, individually or in a presentation you’re doing, a simple reminder about these details can be helpful in ensuring that every vote counts.

Voting at the Precinct

If you do vote at your precinct, make sure you have acceptable ID (see above). If you do not have the right ID you will be required to vote a provisional ballot. Twenty-two percent of provisional ballots were rejected statewide in 2004.

--John Burik

[John Burik]

Yes, Gail, in elections often won or lost by well under two points we can't afford 12% rejection rates!

[Gail Jonas]

Very valuable information for all absentee voters. In my county, well over half of the voters vote by absentee ballot. Here we can elect permanent absentee status without having to be unavailable.