Overview

Each year, on or before September 15, the county Boards of Elections appoint four Precinct Election Officials to each precinct in the county. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.22(A)(1). Not more than half of the Precinct Election Officials at each precinct may be of the same political party. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.22(A)(1). Precinct Election Officials must be registered voters in the county in which they serve. “Precinct Election Official” at 184.

Precinct Election Officials are responsible for ensuring that the election is conducted lawfully. “Precinct Election Official” at 184. **Precinct Election Officials receive ballots and supplies, open and close the polls, and oversee the casting of ballots at the polls. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.22(A)(1). The Board of Elections may designate two Precinct Election Officials as counting officials to count and tally the votes cast and to certify the results of the election at each precinct. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.22(A)(1). When polls close, Precinct Election Officials count the number of electors who voted, count the unused ballots, count the spoiled ballots, count the voted ballots, and enter information in the poll books. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.26. The Precinct Election Officials deliver all supplies and ballots to be counted into the custody of the counting officials. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.26. One of the Precinct Election Officials also serves as the voting location manager and is responsible for delivering the returns and all supplies to the Board of Elections. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.22(A)(1).

In addition, Precinct Election Officials are charged with verifying voter eligibility and issuing challenges when a voter’s eligibility is in question. “Election Day Voting” at 272; Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3509.06(D)(2)(a). If a challenge is issued, Precinct Election Officials, by majority vote, determine whether the voter is eligible to vote. “Election Day Voting” at 272*.*

Before serving, Precinct Election Officials must complete a training program prescribed by the Secretary of State on the rules, procedures, and law relating to elections. “Precinct Election Officials” at 189. Precinct Election Officials are paid at an hourly rate, which cannot be less than federal minimum wage. “Precinct Election Officials” at 186*.* The Board of Elections may summarily remove from office a Precinct Election Official at any time for neglect of duty, malfeasance, misconduct, or any other “good and sufficient” reason. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.22(A)(1).

Election-Related Duties

The key duties of Precinct Election Officials are:

1. Ensuring the election is conducted lawfully. “Precinct Election Officials” at 184.
2. Serving as counting officials, who count the votes and certify the results of the election at each precinct. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.22(A)(1).
3. Closing the polls and delivering all ballots to the counting officials. Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.26.
4. Verifying voter eligibility and issuing challenges when a voter’s eligibility is in question. “Election Day Voting” at 272; Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3509.06(D)(2)(a).

Selection and Vacancy Information

• **Appointed: ****Precinct Election Officials are appointed by a majority vote of the Board of Elections for the county in which the precinct is located. “Precinct Election Officials” at 184–85; Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.22(A)(1).
• Term of Office: The term of office for a Precinct Election Official is one year. “Precinct Election Officials” at 185; Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.22(A)(1).
• Qualifications and Restrictions:
  • Precinct Election Officials must be registered voters in the county in which they serve. “Precinct Election Officials” at 184.
  • Precinct Election Officials cannot have been convicted of a felony or any violation of an election law. “Precinct Election Officials” at 184.
  • Precinct Election Officials must be able to read and write the English language. “Precinct Election Officials” at 184.
  • Precinct Election Officials may not be a candidate for office on the ballot or have a family member or business associate on the ballot. “Precinct Election Officials” at 185.
  • Not more than one half of the total number of Precinct Election Officials assigned to a precinct may be members of the same political party. “Precinct Election Officials” at 185.
• Vacancy: **The Board of Elections fills vacancies for unexpired terms of Precinct Election Officials. “Precinct Election Officials” at 186; Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.22(A)(1).
• Training: Precinct Election Officials must complete a training program prescribed by the Secretary of State that covers the rules, procedures, and law relating to elections. “Precinct Election Officials” at 189; Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 3501.27(A). Precinct Election Officials must continue to receive training every three years after the initial course, when the county changes voting equipment, or when the Board of Elections or Secretary of State decides additional training is necessary. “Precinct Election Officials” at 190.