<aside> 🗳️ Introduction to This Report

This report aims is to build confidence in Ohio’s voting system by shedding light on the processes, checks, and quality assurance steps in place that ensure fair and free elections, and, ultimately, a stronger democracy.

In this report you will find a detailed overview of the processes and offices and personnel that govern the counting and certification processes, as well as a timeline of key dates. We have also identified potential process and personnel vulnerabilities to better help our pro-democracy partners monitor our elections and target corrective action to protect the integrity of our elections.

Please note, throughout the report, the blue ballot icon indicates research on legal and election process questions. The orange ballot icon indicates strategic research and potential threats. If you would like to share any feedback on this report or have questions for our research team, contact us at: info[at]informingdemocracy[dot]org.

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Ohio Overview


Elections in Ohio are primarily administered by a four-member Board of Elections in each of the state’s 88 counties. Boards of Elections are responsible for the majority of election administration and post-election tasks, including receiving election returns, canvassing, and certifying county elections. Boards of Elections are also tasked with investigating election irregularities, nonperformance of duties, and violations of election law by election officers and other individuals. Unlike many other states, Ohio does not have an agency or board responsible for elections statewide. Instead, at the state level, the Secretary of State oversees elections, including the canvassing and certification processes for statewide and multi-county elections.

Election processes in Ohio are grounded firmly in state statute. In addition, the Secretary of State provides election officials with an Election Official Manual that contains comprehensive directives governing all aspects of the election administration process. Election officials have little discretion in carrying out their duties, and Boards of Elections are required to conduct canvassing and to certify results.

Ohio also has a number of protections in place to safeguard its canvassing and certification processes from those seeking to undermine democracy and circumvent election results. These protections include relatively harsh penalties for violations of election laws, the availability of a writ of mandamus to compel election officials to fulfill their duties, and the requirement that the Secretary of State enforce state election law when election officials refuse to comply.

Offices + Personnel


This section provides information about the officers and personnel in charge of election administration in Ohio. Click on each office below for complete details.

Org Chart: Ohio Election Administration

Executive + Legislature

Governor + Lieutenant Governor

State Legislature

Secretary of State

Attorney General

Boards + Administration

Board of Elections

Precinct Election Officials

Judiciary

Courts

Org Chart: Ohio Election Administration

Election Administration Processes


This section provides information about key election administration processes that occur at the county and state levels in Ohio. Click on each process section below for complete details.

Tabulation

Tabulation

Observers

Provisional Ballot Processing

Voter Challenges + Challenged Ballots

Canvass + Certification

Canvass + Certification

Legal Protections for Canvass + Certification

Emergency Powers

Emergency Powers

Verification

Recounts

Post-Election Audit

Contests

Potential Vulnerabilities


Ohio’s election processes are grounded firmly in state statute with clear protections in place. In addition, the vast majority of Ohio’s election administrators are dedicated public servants who have sought to make sure no voter is disenfranchised. The vulnerabilities that do exist center around the threat posed by election deniers — elected officials and others — attempting to change or interfere with legally required election processes.