LEGAL PROTECTIONS AGAINST
VOTER SUPPRESSION
IN OHIO
Voter suppression and voter intimidation are illegal.
Report any activity that threatens, harasses, or intimidates voters.
THE BASICS ON VOTER CHALLENGES:
Only poll workers can challenge voters on Election Day in Ohio, and only for the following reasons:
1) A voter’s lack of citizenship;
2) The voter has not resided in Ohio for 30 days immediately preceding the election;
3) The voter doesn’t live in the precinct where he/she is attempt to vote; and,
4) The voter is of legal voting age.
If a valid challenge is made, a voter may vote by provisional ballot.
Do not leave without voting. At the very least, vote a provisional ballot. The voter then has
until November 16, 2012, 10 days after the election, to provide documentation to the local board
of elections to support their eligibility.
OBSERVERS IN POLLING PLACES:
• Under Ohio law, observers are permitted to watch the voting at the polls and inspect the
counting of ballots.
• The role of observers at the polls is “limited to observing the proceedings of an election” and
observers are “never permitted to handle any election materials.”
• Observers cannot initiate a challenge to an Ohio voter on Election Day. Observers who violate
this law may be removed by poll workers.
INTIMIDATION AND DECEPTIVE PRACTICES:
In Ohio, it is illegal for any person to attempt by intimidation, coercion or any other unlawful means
to induce a voter to refrain from voting in any election.
Ohio employers may not allow any statements on pay envelopes intended to influence the
employee’s vote. Employers cannot place any notices threatening that work conditions will change if
a particular candidate is elected in order to influence the opinions of employees.
No election officer may knowingly refuse the vote of a registered voter. No voter can be denied the
right to cast a provisional ballot.
The Voting Rights Act also forbids any person from intimidating, threatening or coercing
any person “for voting or attempt to vote.”
Advancement Project is a next generation, civil rights action tank
advancing universal opportunity and a just democracy.
For more information go to: www.apvote.org
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN POLLING PLACE
When requested by the board of elections or the Secretary of State, there must be a police officer
stationed in each polling place. Police officers are also required to respond to a request by
precinct judge for aid in the enforcement of election laws on Election Day.
ACTIVITIES IN OR NEAR POLLING PLACE
Ohio election law prohibits hindering, delaying, loitering or soliciting voters within 100 feet of a
polling place. When the line of voters is longer than 100 feet, no one can loiter, congregate or
electioneer within 10 feet of the line of the voters..
Only election officials, persons in the course of voting, persons providing assistance to voters,
authorized observers, and police officers in the act of voting, stationed in the polling location or
called to provide assistance to the precinct judge are permitted within 100 yards of the polling
location while voting is in progress.
PLEASE REPORT VOTER INTIMIDATION OR DECEPTIVE PRACTICES TO:
• Your local Election Board or Ohio Secretary of State: (614) 466-2655
or (877) SOS-OHIO (767-6446).
• U.S. Department of Justice Voting Rights Hotline: 800-253-3931 or TTY line 877-267-8971
• The Election Protection Hotline: 1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español)
• Advancement Project Voter Protection: 202-728-9557 or [email protected]
Advancement Project is a next generation, civil rights action tank
advancing universal opportunity and a just democracy.
For more information go to: www.apvote.org