Ohio Bill Establishes Permanent Absent Voter List for Automatic Ballot Applications

Original title: Create a permanent absent voter list

Last action · September 15, 2025: Referred to General GovernmentSponsors: Tristan Rader and 13 others

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What This Bill Would Do

Ohio House Bill 400 creates a permanent absent voter list managed by county boards of elections, allowing registered voters to opt in to automatically receive absent voter ballot applications for every election. Voters can join the list when registering to vote, updating their registration online or in writing, or when applying for an absent voter ballot. Each board of elections must mail an absent voter ballot application to everyone on the list at least 45 days before the close of voter registration.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Registered electors in Ohio

Voters gain the option to enroll in a permanent absent voter list to automatically receive mail-in ballot applications before every election.

Directly affected

County boards of elections

Boards are required to establish and maintain the permanent absent voter list and mail ballot applications to enrolled voters at least 45 days before the close of voter registration.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a voter get added to the permanent absent voter list?

An can request placement by completing a written application, checking a box on a voter registration or name/address change form, selecting the option on the online voter registration system, or checking the box on an absent voter ballot application.

How can a voter be removed from the permanent absent voter list?

A voter is removed if they submit a written request on a prescribed form to the board of elections, or if their voter registration is canceled under section 3503.21 of the Revised Code.

When will voters on the permanent list receive their ballot applications?

County boards of elections must mail an absent voter ballot application to each on the permanent list not later than forty-five days before the close of voter registration for an election.

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

2 actions

Sep 15, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to General Government
Jul 24, 2025HouseIntroduced
Introduced

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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