Seneca County Board of Elections urges voters to verify absentee ballot application dates

Tiffin, Ohio — The Seneca County Board of Elections has encountered a concerning issue regarding absentee ballot applications. Outdated and invalid forms have been distributed to voters by a special interest group, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. In light of this development, the Board is urging all voters to carefully verify the date on their absentee ballot applications to ensure their validity.

The correct and current form for submitting absentee ballot applications bears the date 2/7/2023. However, the invalid forms being circulated by the special interest group display a date of 8/2017. It is crucial for voters to exercise caution and ensure that their absentee ballot applications are completed with accurate and up-to-date information.

To address the situation promptly, the Seneca County Board of Elections takes immediate action when they receive an invalid absentee ballot application. Affected voters are notified through phone calls and letters, providing detailed information about the issue and its resolution. In addition, the Board’s dedicated staff members are reaching out directly to these voters, providing them with the correct absentee ballot application form.

In order to rectify the situation and prevent future occurrences, the Seneca County Board of Elections strongly encourages external organizations that distribute absentee ballot applications to strictly adhere to the prescribed form provided by the Ohio Secretary of State. The Secretary of State’s office has issued a directive stating that absentee ballot applications must be submitted on the prescribed Form 11-A dated 2/7/2023, as mandated by H.B. 458.

For voters who submitted absentee ballot applications before the deadline (seventh day prior to the election), the Board will accept applications submitted on the Secretary of State’s previously prescribed form, provided that the voter includes a valid form of identification as required by H.B. 458. Acceptable forms of identification include an Ohio driver’s license number or state ID card number, the last four digits of the voter’s Social Security Number (SSN), or a copy of the voter’s photo ID.

The Seneca County Board of Elections is fully committed to upholding the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring that every eligible voter’s voice is heard. Voters are strongly urged to be vigilant, verify the date on their absentee ballot applications, and use the correct and valid form.

For any further questions or concerns, voters can contact the Seneca County Board of Elections directly at (419) 447-4424.