States control most of election law and procedure Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted (R) Nationwide: 500,000+ office holders of over 90,000 positions!
Federal Control of Elections Constitution: Congress can fix time and place of congressional and presidential elections When is Election Day?
Federal Control of Elections “shall be the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even numbered years” Presidential same every 4 years
Federal Control of Elections Congress has intervened when it was necessary to ensure fairness and to improve the system 15 th, 19 th, 24 th, 26 th Amendments
State Responsibilities: Oversee the implementation by the 88 Counties in Ohio
State Responsibilities Two Types of Voting Machines MOST COMMONLY used today: #1 Direct Recording Electronic* (touchscreens) #2 Optical Scan (“scantron”)
State Responsibilities Old “punch card” system obsolete
Electronic Voting Machines Easy to use No mistakes, less uncounted ballots Disabled persons Languages Main concern: hackers! Most lack a paper trail FOR Against
State Responsibilities: Two Types of Ballots used
State Responsibilities: 146 Precincts in Greene Co. Fewer Polling Places Voting Precincts Map
BHS
County Implementation Poll Workers and Poll Watchers
Media, Pollsters & Campaigners A.Anywhere (protected by 1 st Amendment) B.Must stay 100 feet from entrance C.Can be anywhere but inside Can you match the people with where they must be on election day?
Absentee Voting Any registered voter can vote by mail Deadlines Beyond that…a lot of different details such as time limits, etc.. If this is something you may do, check online for details
Early Voting Any registered voter can vote early, in BOE This is a hot topic in Ohio right now; courts are involved Dems support Reps oppose
17 year-olds in Ohio Can Vote in Primaries ONLY Must be 18 by general election day Candidates only No Issues
PROVISIONAL BALLOTS If there is a problem, it’s usually with your registration. You can still vote, but your info is verified later and then the ballot is made official, or not.
Help America Vote Act 2002 Provide for Provisional voting….if one is challenged, they can still vote and counted once verified Replace lever-operated and punch cards by 2006 Better trained poll workers Computerize registration
Why would I be given a Provisional Ballot? Name not in Signature Book Lacks proper I.D. / Refuses to show I.D. Name Change, did not update voter reg. Moved from one precinct to another w/o updating voter registration Marked as an absentee, or early voter Voter Reg. Card returned as undeliverable You are being challenged
Voters who are blind, disabled, or illiterate Voter may have a person of their choice help them in the polling booth NOT ALLOWED TO HELP: Person’s employer or agent of their employer Agent of the voter’s union Any candidate whose name is on the ballot
“Curbside” Voting Those with disabilities can vote in their vehicles
Various other bits of info…. Write-ins – list of approved candidates Time Limits – 5 minutes (not strictly enforced)
Party Identification The ballot you choose in your primary election is your party of record.
YOUR Identification Ohio state law requires an acceptable identification Dems oppose Reps support Driver’s License, Military i.d., utility bill, bank statement, paycheck
Prohibited Identification Voter Reg. Card Out of state driver’s license Social Security Card Birth Certificate Insurance cards