House Committee Approves Abrams' Election Bill With Some Changes

The bill now heads to the full House for consideration.

(Columbus, Oh.) - An Ohio House committee has approved House Bill 680 with some changes.

The legislation proposed by State Rep. Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) received several changes by the House State and Local Government Committee. 

Abrams originally proposed a “failsafe” or backup plan for possible use during public health emergencies that would allow for the governor and state health director to recommend an election be held completely by mail with polling places closed. That plan was removed from the bill for further review. 

Under the approved bill, public officials would be “expressly prohibited” from causing an election to be conducted in any way other than the time, place and manner currently outlined in state law.

Essentially, the legislation extends the deadline for voters to apply to receive absentee ballots from three days prior to election day to seven days prior to election day.

The approved legislation also allows for registered voters to cast their ballot in-person if they so choose. Neither the original bill nor the changes adopted by the committee today change the ability for the state to allow in-person early voting the final weekend before Election Day.

As for CARES Act funding, the bill would allow for funding to be used to mail unsolicited applications for absentee ballots for the November 2020 election.

The proposal also asks that CARES Act funding be used to pay for the completion of the May 17 primary, providing PPE for election officials, paying for cleaning and modifying the layout of polling places and recruiting and training poll workers.

“I’ve had extensive conversations with state and local elections officials, legislators from around the state and many others interested in Ohio continuing to have secure, well-run elections,” Abrams said. “I believe the changes made today make a good bill even better.”

House Bill 680 now heads to the full House for consideration.

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