The Ohio legislature, with a Republican supermajority, passed Senate Bill 293, another unnecessary and harmful election law that hurts Ohio voters. SB 293 was co-sponsosred by State Senator Teresa Gavarone — who represents Erie County. This bill will invalid thousands of valid absentee/mail-in ballots mailed on time from eligible Ohio voters — absentee/mail-in ballots previously had a four day grace period as long as the ballot envelope was postmarked by the Monday before Election Day and are counted as long as the ballot arrives within four days after Election Day. Worse, at the last minute lawmakers threw in parts of SB 153 to make voter registration and election administration more onerous.

Thousands of legal ballots from eligible voters could be rejected because of the post office slow delivery routing, not the voter. This change would especially hurt Ohio seniors, voters with disabilities, rural voters, college students, and working Ohioans who depend on voting by mail. It does nothing to make our elections more secure, it only makes our elections less accessible.

SB 293 also included provisions from SB 153 that will result in more Ohioans mistakenly having their voter registration cancelled and will result in a dramatic increase in the rate of provisional ballots, as well as make election officials’ work more burdensome with no new resources given to support them. The Republican legislature has added administrative responsibilities onto election workers without providing additional resources — once again, they have legislated an unfair and unfunded mandate.

Currently, the Erie County Board of Elections staff is waiting on a response from the Ohio Secretary of State office for them to answer questions staff has about cancelling voters’ registrations – there are 141 voters listed for potential cancellation of their registration. In the meantime, it is always good practice for everyone to check your voter registration on a regular basis. You can check your registration here.

Please be aware:

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ABOUT ABSENTEE/MAIL-IN BALLOTS

On December 19, 2025,
Governor Mike DeWine (R) signed into law – SB293.

This law was passed by the GOP supermajority.
One of the major changes voters will experience:

ABSENTEE/MAIL-IN BALLOTS
MUST NOW BE RECEIVED BY 7:30pm
ON ELECTION DAY.

Please make sure you submit your
Absentee/Mail-In Ballot application
early to ensure timely delivery and return of
your voted ballot to have it counted.

You can always have your ballot
mailed to you and then deliver your ballot
to the Erie County Board of Elections:
Drop off in the dropbox (follow the sign)
or take into the office located at
2900 Columbus Avenue – Room 101 | Sandusky 44870

REMEMBER:
The Absentee/Mail-In Ballot
must be returned no later than
7:30pm on Election Day.

**Postmarks do not matter**

Any questions, please call your
local county board of elections!
Erie County Board of Elections:
419.627.7601 – Main