HB 194 is a significant change to Ohio’s elections laws that makes a number of important changes to how elections will operate in Ohio, including:
-Shortening the time to vote absentee from 35 days to 21 days before an election
-Cutting the time for in-person early voting down from 35 days before the election to only 17 days
-Forbidding boards of elections from prepaying the return postage for an absentee ballot application
-Prohibiting boards of elections from mailing unsolicited applications for absentee ballots
-Eliminating the requirement that election officials direct individuals in the wrong polling place to the correct one
Jurisdiction/Legislation Level
State
LCS Legislation Status
http://lsc.state.oh.us/coderev/hou129.nsf/House+Bill+Number/0194?OpenDoc...
Our Take on This Bill
Voting is a cornerstone of democracy, and it is vital that all citizens have broad access to the polls. HB 194 cuts at the heart of people being able to vote by eliminating provisions that provided an improved voting process across the state and helped facilitate Ohioans make it to the ballot box.
Committees
State Government and Elections (H)
