Скачать или смотреть Investigation finds 6,500 absentee ballot applications rejected in Ohio

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - More than 6,500 absentee ballot applications have been rejected this year in 21 Ohio counties. An investigation by the Associated Press found missing or mismatched signatures are the issue.

Sherry Poland with the Hamilton County Board of Elections says she's not surprised.

"I'm not; I'm not,” said Poland. “Although, I’m not really sure what that number means."

When a voter wants an absentee ballot, they must first apply for a ballot by filling out a form from their local Board of Elections. Once they fill out the form, they have to send it back to the board, but if it’s missing any vital information, the form will be rejected. Poland says once an application is rejected, the voter is contacted by the local board and given another shot.

"I'm not sure if that number includes voters who made their initial application may have been denied, but then their secondary application was processed,” said Poland.

Either way, the League of Women Voters of Ohio says Ohio's absentee voter processes are inefficient and out of date, creating undue hurdles for absentee voters.

Joe Mallory sees it both ways.

“We just have to do a better job at educating our community, our members, of the proper ways to make the requests, and I do believe that it should be easier for you to make the request,” said Mallory.

Mallory advocates for voting rights for the Cincinnati NAACP, but he also worked at the Hamilton County Board of Elections for 19 years. He says being able to request absentee ballots online could be a solution to the problem.

"That way, when you put the information into the computer, you're putting the information in. There's less of an opportunity for missing something because the form will not be accepted unless you have everything filled out that is required,” said Mallory.

Both Mallory and Poland also point out it will take state law to change the process.

"I think the legislature can do a lot of good by passing legislation where they can make it easier because now we have individuals that have access to smartphones and smart technology,” said Mallory.

Local 12 reached out to the Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose to see what the state is doing. LaRose says there's certainly more that can be done to improve Ohio's antiquated system. LaRose also points out he introduced legislation that would allow for online ballot requests when he was a state senator.

The Associated Press also found 31 percent of Ohio voters casted their ballots before election day in 2018.