Barry M. Horstman reports:
This week, registered voters across Ohio will begin receiving applications in the mail for an absentee ballot.
Secretary of State Jon Husted’s office will send out more than 6 million absentee applications for the Nov. 6 election at a cost of $1.4 million.
Individuals who prefer to vote at the polls Nov. 6 may simply ignore the mailing.
Those who like the convenience of voting from home may return the application along with valid identification by mail, or in person to their local board of elections.
The boards will mail absentee ballots starting Oct. 2. The deadline for applying by mail is noon on Nov. 3.
One cautionary note: If you request an absentee ballot, you probably should use it. That’s because voters who mail in an absentee request but later decide to vote at the polls will be required to cast a provisional ballot.
Provisional ballots are used when there are questions over whether a person is registered or may cast a ballot.
Many things can go wrong with provisional ballots, and tens of thousands are routinely disqualified statewide due to minor procedural errors by voters and poll workers.
