Conducting a Voter Registration Drive in Ohio

Incomplete Applications / Application Assistance: It is against Ohio law to complete a voter registration form on behalf of another person unless the registrant requires assistance due to disability, illiteracy or blindness. Anyone completing a voter registration form on behalf of another must check the box. If the applicant requested assistance with registering to vote or updating their name or residence, due to disability, illiteracy or blindness and is unable to sign the form, the assister must sign the form instead.

Providing Filled Out or Pre-Printed Forms: It is against Ohio law to provide pre-printed forms to the applicant.

Photocopying Completed Applications: There is no law or rule prohibiting photocopying or retaining information from completed registration applications. As a best practice, a voter’s full or partial Social Security number and/or driver’s license number should not be retained.

Submitting Completed Applications: Completed registration applications collected during a drive must be returned to the Secretary of State’s office or a county board of elections within 10 days of when the forms were completed or by the registration deadline if the registration form has been signed more than 24 hours before the registration deadline for the next election, whichever is earlier. Failure to follow these deadlines is a criminal offense. Fair Elections Center recommends that drive volunteers submit forms so they are received by election officials within 10 days after the forms were completed or by the voter registration deadline, whichever is earlier.