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Ohio House To Vote On Two Election-Related Bills
By: Associated Press
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The Ohio House plans to vote on proposals to trim early voting and set rules for mailing unsolicited absentee ballot applications.
Ohioans can cast an absentee ballot by mail or in person without giving any reason. Currently, early voting starts 35 days prior to Election Day.
One bill would cut that time by eliminating so-called golden week – a period when residents can both register to vote and cast an early ballot. Without those days, early voting would then typically start 29 days before Election Day.
Another bill would let the secretary of state mail unsolicited applications for general elections and only if the Legislature directed the money for it. Other public officials would be banned.
Ohio's larger, urban counties traditionally have sent voters the applications without residents requesting them.