Did you know? Interesting facts about Ohio’s election process  
March 11, 2012 

Earlier this week, Ohio held its Presidential Primary.  As we work towards certification of the official results, I thought it might be helpful to provide some information on the process and timeline for tabulating those results, as well as some information on recounts. 

Certification of Election Results 

All unofficial results are in with 100% precincts reporting, these numbers do not include provisional ballots or absentee ballots received after Election Day. 

County boards of elections (BOE) will still accept mailed absentee ballots, post marked no later than March 5th, for 10 days following election until Friday, March 16, 2012. 

BOEs may begin examining provisional ballot envelopes the day after the election, but cannot begin counting provisional ballots until the BOE has voted on whether the provisional ballot envelopes may be opened. The BOE cannot vote until the 11th day after the election, Saturday, March 17, 2012, at the earliest to allow voters time to provide acceptable ID to validate their ballot. 

· BOEs have until the 21st day after the election, Tuesday, March 27, 2012, to complete their official canvas, or counting of votes. 

· Once BOEs have reported official results to the Secretary of State, the Secretary has to certify official results no later than 10 days after receiving the official canvases from all BOEs. 

Automatic Recounts 

· Statewide races are subject to automatic recounts if the difference between 1st and 2nd place is less than one quarter of one percent of total votes cast for that race. 

· Multi-county and local races are subject to automatic recounts if the difference between 1st and 2nd place is less than one half of one percent of total votes cast for that race. 

· Local issues are subject to automatic recounts if the difference between passing and failing is less than one half of one percent of total votes cast for the issue. 

· In multi-county and statewide races that are subject to automatic recounts, the Secretary of State orders the recount and the BOEs determine the date for the recount which must occur between the 6th and 1oth day after the recount is ordered. 

· In races wholly contained in one county, BOEs order the recount and determine the date for the recount, which must occur between the 6th and 1oth day after the recount is ordered. 

Requested Recounts 

· If there is no automatic recount, any losing candidate or issue committee may call for a recount within five days of the official results being certified. 

· Candidates who call for a recount must pay for the recount if the results stay the same. 

· Candidates may request a recount of votes cast in the race or issue in any or all the precincts.