Sat Jan 03 23:30:00 UTC 2026: News Article:

Ohio Eliminates Absentee Ballot Grace Period, Citing Supreme Court Concerns

COLUMBUS, OH – In a move that has sparked controversy and raised concerns about voter access, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed legislation on December 19th, eliminating the grace period for mail-in absentee ballots that arrive after Election Day. Senate Bill 293, set to take effect in mid-March, will require absentee ballots to arrive by the close of polls on Election Day to be counted, with exceptions only for military and overseas voters. This change will be in effect for the May 5th primary election.

Under existing Ohio law, election officials could accept mailed ballots up to four days after Election Day if they were postmarked the day before the election. In November 2023, approximately 7,300 of 170,000 mailed ballots arrived during this grace period, according to the Secretary of State’s office.

The new legislation also grants the Secretary of State’s office the authority to automatically cancel voter registrations of individuals identified as potential non-citizens through state and federal databases.

Republican lawmakers and Secretary of State Frank LaRose have defended the move, arguing that it aligns Ohio with 36 other states that require ballots to arrive by Election Day. They also pointed to pressure from the Trump administration, which has consistently opposed mail-in voting. The Department of Justice had even threatened to sue Ohio, claiming the four-day grace period violated federal law.

Governor DeWine, while stating he supports the existing four-day window and would have vetoed the bill under different circumstances, ultimately signed it into law, citing a pending Supreme Court case regarding ballot deadlines as the primary reason. He expressed concerns about potential chaos and uncertainty in the 2026 election should the Supreme Court abolish grace periods. “If it wasn’t for the Supreme Court issue… I would’ve vetoed this,” DeWine stated.

The decision has drawn criticism from voting rights advocates. Jen Miller, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio, argued that the change will disproportionately harm Ohioans who rely on voting by mail, including seniors, people with disabilities, and those in rural areas. “Lawmakers should be focused on strengthening Ohio’s election infrastructure and encouraging more Ohioans to participate in our elections, not creating new obstacles,” Miller said.

The American Civil Liberties Union has also voiced its opposition, pledging to remain steadfast in its advocacy for all eligible Ohio voters. It remains to be seen whether Senate Bill 293 will face legal challenges.

(Source: Haley BeMiller, State Government Reporter, USA Today Network)

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