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Ohio Ends Mail-In Ballot Grace Period, Requires Election Day Arrival

Does this secure elections with clear deadlines, or does it gut ballot access and suppress vulnerable voters?

Published 9 hours ago

Ohio Ends Mail-In Ballot Grace Period, Requires Election Day Arrival

story

Above: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Jan. 26, 2025. Image credit: Jason Mowry/Getty Images

The Spin

Republican narrative

This law ends Election Day on Election Day, aligning Ohio with 34 states and recent federal rulings on ballot receipt. Clear cutoffs speed results, raise confidence and leave military and overseas protections untouched. Monthly roll checks and citizenship verification keep voter lists accurate and elections clean without favoring any party.

The Columbus Dispatch Election Transparency Initiative

Democratic narrative

The new law guts access by scrapping the four-day grace period, tossing timely-mailed ballots because of mail delays. Added hurdles like documentary proof of citizenship, more purges and wider provisional voting chill participation and strain local boards. This rush job risks confusion and hits older, disabled, working and transit-limited voters hardest.

Ohio Capital Journal Ohio House of Representatives

Metaculus Prediction

Editor's Note

This story currently has limited reporting from right-wing sources. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our coverage as additional perspectives become available.

Public Figures

Mike DeWine

The Controversies

Will the U.S. Supreme Court Overturn Provisions of the Voting Rights Act as Part of Louisiana v. Callais?

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Political split

LEFT

RIGHT

Ohio governor reluctantly signs bill eliminating grace period for late ballots

Los Angeles Times14 hrs

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Bill eliminates grace period for mailed-in ballots in Ohio starting next March BG Independent News

BG Independent News11 hrs

Ohio Gov. DeWine signs bill ending mail-in ballot grace period for voters

Ohio governor 'reluctantly' signs bill eliminating grace period for late ballots

Ohio Bans Grace Periods for Mail Ballots, Fulfilling Trumps Wishes

Ohio Gov Dewine Signs Property Tax Bills Reluctantly Approves New Voting Restrictions

Ohio Capital Journal12 hrs

After DOJ Threat, Ohio GOP Passes Law to End Mail Ballot Grace Periods

Democracy Docket13 hrs

Weak Ohio Gov Mike Dewine Pretends To Be Helpless And Participates In Another Attack On Voters

Ohio Capital Journal12 hrs

Ohio ends post-Election Day grace period for mail ballots

Signal Ohio13 hrs

Ohio House Democrats Urge Gov Dewine To Veto Bill Burdening Ohioans Ability To Make Their Voices Heard At The Ballot Box 140085

Ohio House of Representatives11 hrs

Ohio elections are under evolving threats. DeWine must sign bill | Opinion

The Columbus Dispatch11 hrs

ETI Urges Governor DeWine to Sign SB 293 and Reject House Democrats Misinformation

Election Transparency Initiative13 hrs

Bias Split Public Figures Controversies

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© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0

© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.18.0