Written and Published in Partnership with All Voting is Local.
Election observers, referred to as “political party observers” or “observers” in Ohio, are individuals who monitor polling places and ballot counting sites. While observers play an important role in providing transparency, they can also be a potential source of disruption and intimidation. For this reason, all states have a series of regulations and constraints regarding who can serve as poll watchers and what they can do. Ohio’s rules on observers, which derive both from the state’s election code and from guidance issued by the secretary of state, are:
Appointment
- Under Ohio law, political parties with candidates on the ballot, any group of five or more candidates, or a ballot issue committee can appoint one observer per early and Election Day voting location, and one observer at each board of elections office to observe voting and processing of provisional and absentee ballots leading up to and on Election Day, and one observer for the official canvass.footnote1_pmBjnPsqcgHZMN6sV7vl-CoK5MOQACGEsvt9EFv3bh0_u4fqNIGuuJry1Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3505.21(B), (E); 3505.32(B).
- Only voters registered in Ohio may be observers.footnote2_n2lcb353fEtmvefmmfhWUJ0MN5qnuITMlMvy52sCc20_b4xUlB2V275e2Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3505.21(B).
- The county board of elections must receive notification of the name, address, and location at which the observer is to serve prior to observing.footnote3_LVMq9VXvgZH5XpSRYxYc1UEkEDJJUmk2sKMjllxsu60_uM8g5hqL2eZi3Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3505.21(F).
- Observers must take an oath prior to observing.footnote4_LVMq9VXvgZH5XpSRYxYc1UEkEDJJUmk2sKMjllxsu60_dXLfoC7OeW7d4Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3505.21(F).
- Separately, Ohio law permits “post-election observers” during a post-election audit. The post-election observers may only attend public meetings of the local board of elections (these meetings must be publicly noticed in advance), and in no event may they handle ballots during the audit.footnote5_52KGItWb5KeBQzrGi6ITy3PIykJd1mAhdDjj8nR3ek_ym5MZHU5zofv5Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3505.331(A), (C); and Ohio Secretary of State, Election Official Manual, December 20, 2023, 340–41, https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/elections/directives/2023/eom/eom_fullversion_2023–12.pdf.They are otherwise subject to limitations similar to those that apply to observers at polling places and ballot counting locations.
Role of Observers
- Observers monitor the election process without causing disruptions to voters or election workers. They may watch all proceedings of precinct officials, including the counting and certification of returns, at the polls and ballot counting sites.footnote6_HdSxRTfdKI1c-X9fALrT7kGl36wf2rF7BWlvWDvok_f0wv76k5A25m6Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3505.21(C).
- Observers cannot challenge a voter’s eligibility at a voting location.footnote7_cMXbTUPoVA13ulOiTpmtbtf5amwpmpl0l3-b2HqMPk_sNImpEusq8Fi7See Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3505.20; and Manual, 272. More information on the rules and constraints on voter eligibility challenges can be found here.
- According to the secretary of state’s guidance, observers can contact the county board of elections if they observe an issue of concern but must leave the voting area to do so.footnote8_VyCxxYRyW4e1PkWOi23cP-679z53sC5ZyIK-JDcoI68_l4Pj7Vm4lPMo8Manual, 274.
- The guidance also notes that observers may move freely about the location except that election officials may deny observers access to parts of an election office where ballots are not being cast, processed, or counted.footnote9_VyCxxYRyW4e1PkWOi23cP-679z53sC5ZyIK-JDcoI68_hUDWBfLlPz6A9Manual, 274.
Prohibited Activities
- Electioneering: All people, including observers, are prohibited from conducting campaign related activities, known as electioneering, within 100 feet of a voting location, and if the line for voting extends beyond the 100-foot buffer, within 10 feet of any voter waiting in line.footnote10_c8Xrl1ktQOzvKiaHpmiIBMnMfg8wPhKS93Msa-fvLoU_mor6rFrlHYUg10Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3501.35(A)(1); and Manual, 181.This includes wearing campaign clothes or accessories.footnote11_CTBHsD7i-1xGNGjHmEe35lnGrw—NRjAYAfBnlprKNI_dIXbRHQaI9nc11Manual, 259.
- Carrying Firearms: Observers cannot carry a firearm or other weapon.footnote12_297HFDytDk1eQy4vKj4JGFel9DSYfUilHok3WZcKY_mlPNNFR4NhRr12Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §2505.21(B); and Manual, 275.
- Intimidation or Influence: Attempting to intimidate or influence a voter is not allowed.footnote13_bcqVl19I9pMA2RdSFJEAc4-WNTWgPDnNUJoch57CoI_sOVQGPXSgl7s13Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3501.90(A)(1)(A), 3599.01(2).Intimidation can include, but is not limited to, soliciting a voter, coercing a voter to vote or refrain from voting, or coercing a voter to vote or refrain from voting for a particular candidate, question, or issue.footnote14_BDnH1D5NdMSSgrAbuiWRAZeQTEMeGzS2zspFglqqvh8_pYgl61n8lG3U14Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3501.35(A)(5); 3599.01(2).Additionally, it is illegal to attempt to intimidate election officers or prevent them from performing their duties.footnote15_2mXaWHMrsESWXFxgrtrYqjfoBLIG3gGcr-DvKVYtqM_qLHZRZ7PdINt15Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3599.24(3).
- Interference: Observers may not interfere with election workers or slow the operation of election processes. Specifically, it is illegal for anyone, including observers, to destroy property used to conduct elections, to loiter in or about the voting place during the casting and counting of ballots, or to unduly delay or hinder a voter from attempting to vote or voting.footnote16_4khF5XLnEz8WHBuif9ksJUPmA5t17Hn4–4veHnBeaQ_p7PNR8FLG5bQ16Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3599.24(2), (5), (6), 3599.26.
- Harassment: It is illegal for anyone, including observers, to harass a voter. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, obstructing access to or from a voting location or participating in a riot, violence, or disorder in or about the voting location.footnote17_Fc6qfaopqydVacCUx03zWXhbkiywe1FqE0XX9h6MQU_gnyy40sKj1rO17Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3501.90(A)(1)(a).
- Voter Interaction: Observers may not interact with voters in a disruptive manner.footnote18_PhNZiCO0xhVkYnorl04w-Ig1srHKST8HW07Ua4RVZc_l4KPZOOrgN7e18Ohio Secretary of State, “Being an Election Observer: Things to Know,” last accessed May 23, 2024, https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/being-an-election-observer-things-to-know/.
- Handling Election Materials: Observers may not handle any election materials.footnote19_VyCxxYRyW4e1PkWOi23cP-679z53sC5ZyIK-JDcoI68_vidGvw28AaiK19Manual, 274.
- Photography and Video: Observers may not take photographs or videos at a voting location.footnote20_OJXhm1phWQGc9PR5Y4aD1F24UmEkBfAzipkJAohHCFU_ym0jiy2Hwv1t20Manual, 274. Further, observers may not use electronic or communication devices that could impede, harass, or intimidate voters or risk violating voter privacy.footnote21_VyCxxYRyW4e1PkWOi23cP-679z53sC5ZyIK-JDcoI68_eYGMwo6REDFN21Manual, 274.
- Enforcing the Law: Observers may not enforce the law or advocate for voters.footnote22_VyCxxYRyW4e1PkWOi23cP-679z53sC5ZyIK-JDcoI68_pqJa0pYQUDIG22Manual, 274.
Federal and state law strictly prohibit all people, including observers, from engaging in voter intimidation. Any action that makes a voter feel intimidated, threatened, or coerced (including any effort to prevent a voter from registering to vote, voting, or voting for or against any candidate or ballot measure) could constitute voter intimidation, regardless of whether it breaks a specific rule.footnote23_bTJSFleJC9XYhmWBVqV-WyVMxJCGKAgN3m9OrnIrkGk_n0g5cQIyGzvg2318 U.S.C. §§ 241, 594; 52 U.S.C. § 10101(b); and Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3501.35, 3501.90, 3599.01, 3599.24, 3599.26.More information on the federal and state laws that protect Ohio voters from intimidation can be found here.
Removal
- Precinct election officials may remove observers who interfere with, impede, or disrupt the election or who engage in behavior that is inconsistent with state law or a secretary of state directive.footnote24_qkOZyxKsg2YryEAJIBYxapfAf-aZcKJ13nZ-iKX7g_jG9y085bBdVF24Manual, 276.
- If necessary, election officials may contact law enforcement for assistance in removing observers who break the rules.footnote25_feh0fvnUW1txlfEnbV8N8hyekXe1jVufrGmTRowMeM_dB4ZyvJpJVfn25Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3501.33.
End Notes
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footnote1_pmBjnPsqcgHZMN6sV7vl-CoK5MOQACGEsvt9EFv3bh0_u4fqNIGuuJry
1
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3505.21(B), (E); 3505.32(B).
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footnote2_n2lcb353fEtmvefmmfhWUJ0MN5qnuITMlMvy52sCc20_b4xUlB2V275e
2
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3505.21(B).
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footnote3_LVMq9VXvgZH5XpSRYxYc1UEkEDJJUmk2sKMjllxsu60_uM8g5hqL2eZi
3
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3505.21(F).
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footnote4_LVMq9VXvgZH5XpSRYxYc1UEkEDJJUmk2sKMjllxsu60_dXLfoC7OeW7d
4
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3505.21(F).
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footnote5_52KGItWb5KeBQzrGi6ITy3PIykJd1mAhdDjj8nR3ek_ym5MZHU5zofv
5
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3505.331(A), (C); and Ohio Secretary of State, Election Official Manual, December 20, 2023, 340–41, https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/elections/directives/2023/eom/eom_fullversion_2023–12.pdf.
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footnote6_HdSxRTfdKI1c-X9fALrT7kGl36wf2rF7BWlvWDvok_f0wv76k5A25m
6
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3505.21(C).
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footnote7_cMXbTUPoVA13ulOiTpmtbtf5amwpmpl0l3-b2HqMPk_sNImpEusq8Fi
7
See Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3505.20; and Manual, 272.
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footnote8_VyCxxYRyW4e1PkWOi23cP-679z53sC5ZyIK-JDcoI68_l4Pj7Vm4lPMo
8
Manual, 274.
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footnote9_VyCxxYRyW4e1PkWOi23cP-679z53sC5ZyIK-JDcoI68_hUDWBfLlPz6A
9
Manual, 274.
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footnote10_c8Xrl1ktQOzvKiaHpmiIBMnMfg8wPhKS93Msa-fvLoU_mor6rFrlHYUg
10
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3501.35(A)(1); and Manual, 181.
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footnote11_CTBHsD7i-1xGNGjHmEe35lnGrw—NRjAYAfBnlprKNI_dIXbRHQaI9nc
11
Manual, 259.
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footnote12_297HFDytDk1eQy4vKj4JGFel9DSYfUilHok3WZcKY_mlPNNFR4NhRr
12
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §2505.21(B); and Manual, 275.
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footnote13_bcqVl19I9pMA2RdSFJEAc4-WNTWgPDnNUJoch57CoI_sOVQGPXSgl7s
13
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3501.90(A)(1)(A), 3599.01(2).
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footnote14_BDnH1D5NdMSSgrAbuiWRAZeQTEMeGzS2zspFglqqvh8_pYgl61n8lG3U
14
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3501.35(A)(5); 3599.01(2).
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footnote15_2mXaWHMrsESWXFxgrtrYqjfoBLIG3gGcr-DvKVYtqM_qLHZRZ7PdINt
15
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3599.24(3).
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footnote16_4khF5XLnEz8WHBuif9ksJUPmA5t17Hn4–4veHnBeaQ_p7PNR8FLG5bQ
16
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3599.24(2), (5), (6), 3599.26.
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footnote17_Fc6qfaopqydVacCUx03zWXhbkiywe1FqE0XX9h6MQU_gnyy40sKj1rO
17
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3501.90(A)(1)(a).
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footnote18_PhNZiCO0xhVkYnorl04w-Ig1srHKST8HW07Ua4RVZc_l4KPZOOrgN7e
18
Ohio Secretary of State, “Being an Election Observer: Things to Know,” last accessed May 23, 2024, https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/being-an-election-observer-things-to-know/.
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footnote19_VyCxxYRyW4e1PkWOi23cP-679z53sC5ZyIK-JDcoI68_vidGvw28AaiK
19
Manual, 274.
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footnote20_OJXhm1phWQGc9PR5Y4aD1F24UmEkBfAzipkJAohHCFU_ym0jiy2Hwv1t
20
Manual, 274.
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footnote21_VyCxxYRyW4e1PkWOi23cP-679z53sC5ZyIK-JDcoI68_eYGMwo6REDFN
21
Manual, 274.
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footnote22_VyCxxYRyW4e1PkWOi23cP-679z53sC5ZyIK-JDcoI68_pqJa0pYQUDIG
22
Manual, 274.
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footnote23_bTJSFleJC9XYhmWBVqV-WyVMxJCGKAgN3m9OrnIrkGk_n0g5cQIyGzvg
23
18 U.S.C. §§ 241, 594; 52 U.S.C. § 10101(b); and Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3501.35, 3501.90, 3599.01, 3599.24, 3599.26.
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footnote24_qkOZyxKsg2YryEAJIBYxapfAf-aZcKJ13nZ-iKX7g_jG9y085bBdVF
24
Manual, 276.
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footnote25_feh0fvnUW1txlfEnbV8N8hyekXe1jVufrGmTRowMeM_dB4ZyvJpJVfn
25
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3501.33.