§ 3505.20Challenge of elector at polling place

Any person offering to vote may be challenged at the polling place by any precinct election official.
If the board of elections has ruled on the question presented by a challenge prior to election day, its
finding and decision shall be final, and the voting location manager shall be notified in writing. If the
board has not ruled, the question shall be determined as set forth in this section. If any person is so
challenged as unqualified to vote, the voting location manager shall tender the person the following
oath: "You do swear or affirm under penalty of election falsification that you will fully and truly
answer all of the following questions put to you concerning your qualifications as an elector at this
election."


(A) If the person is challenged as unqualified on the ground that the person is not a United States
citizen, the precinct election officials shall put the following questions:


(1) Are you a citizen of the United States?


(2) Do you possess proof of your United States citizenship? Please provide that documentation.


If the person offering to vote produces proof of citizenship for inspection of the precinct election
officials, other than the number of the person's Ohio driver's license or state identification card, and
declares under oath that the person is a citizen of the United States, the person shall be permitted to
cast a regular ballot. If the person is unable to provide proof of citizenship, other than the number of
the person's Ohio driver's license or state identification card, on the day of the election, the precinct
election officials shall provide to the person, and the person may vote, a provisional ballot under
section 3505.181 of the Revised Code. The provisional ballot shall not be counted unless it is
properly completed and the board of elections determines that the voter is properly registered and
eligible to vote in the election.


(B) If the person is challenged as unqualified on the ground that the person has not resided in this
state for thirty days immediately preceding the election, the precinct election officials shall put the



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following questions:


(1) Have you resided in this state for thirty days immediately preceding this election? If so, where
have you resided?


(2) Did you properly register to vote?


(3) Can you provide some form of identification containing your current mailing address in this
precinct? Please provide that identification.


(4) Have you voted or attempted to vote at any other location in this or in any other state at this
election?


(5) Have you applied for an absent voter's ballot in any state for this election?


If the precinct election officials are unable to verify the person's eligibility to cast a ballot in the
election, the precinct election officials shall provide to the person, and the person may vote, a
provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code. The provisional ballot shall not be
counted unless it is properly completed and the board of elections determines that the voter is
properly registered and eligible to vote in the election.


(C) If the person is challenged as unqualified on the ground that the person is not a resident of the
precinct where the person offers to vote, the precinct election officials shall put the following
questions:


(1) Do you reside in this precinct?


(2) When did you move into this precinct?


(3) When you came into this precinct, did you come for a temporary purpose merely or for the
purpose of making it your home?


(4) What is your current mailing address?



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(5) Do you have some official identification containing your current address in this precinct? Please
provide that identification.


(6) Have you voted or attempted to vote at any other location in this or in any other state at this
election?


(7) Have you applied for any absent voter's ballot in any state for this election?


The precinct election officials shall direct an individual who is not in the appropriate polling place to
the appropriate polling place. If the individual refuses to go to the appropriate polling place, or if the
precinct election officials are unable to verify the person's eligibility to cast a ballot in the election,
the precinct election officials shall provide to the person, and the person may vote, a provisional
ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code. The provisional ballot shall not be counted
unless it is properly completed and the board of elections determines that the voter is properly
registered and eligible to vote in the election.


(D) If the person is challenged as unqualified on the ground that the person is not of legal voting age,
the precinct election officials shall put the following questions:


(1) Are you eighteen years of age or more?


(2) What is your date of birth?


(3) Do you have some official identification verifying your age? Please provide that identification.


If the precinct election officials are unable to verify the person's age and eligibility to cast a ballot in
the election, the precinct election officials shall provide to the person, and the person may vote, a
provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code. The provisional ballot shall not be
counted unless it is properly completed and the board of elections determines that the voter is
properly registered and eligible to vote in the election.


The voting location manager shall put such other questions to the person challenged as are necessary



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to determine the person's qualifications as an elector at the election. If a person challenged refuses to
answer fully any question put to the person, is unable to answer the questions as they were answered
on the registration form by the person under whose name the person offers to vote, or refuses to sign
the person's name or make the person's mark, or if for any other reason a majority of the precinct
election officials believes the person is not entitled to vote, the precinct election officials shall
provide to the person, and the person may vote, a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the
Revised Code. The provisional ballot shall not be counted unless it is properly completed and the
board of elections determines that the voter is properly registered and eligible to vote in the election.


A qualified citizen who has certified the citizen's intention to vote for president and vice-president as
provided by Chapter 3504. of the Revised Code shall be eligible to receive only the ballot containing
presidential and vice-presidential candidates.


However, not later than the thirtieth day before the day of an election and in accordance with section
3503.24 of the Revised Code, any person qualified to vote may challenge the right of any other
person to be registered as a voter, or the right to cast an absent voter's ballot, or to make application
for such ballot. Such challenge shall be made in accordance with section 3503.24 of the Revised
Code, and the board of elections of the county in which the voting residence of the challenged voter
is situated shall make a final determination relative to the legality of such registration or application.




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