Ohio utilizes a combination of voting systems, primarily optical scan and direct-recording electronic (DRE) machines, with hand-marked paper ballots used for absentee voting and as backups. Optical scan systems require voters to mark their choices on a paper ballot, which is then scanned and tabulated by a machine. DRE systems allow voters to make selections directly on an electronic interface, often a touchscreen. A paper record of the vote is generated in most DRE systems used in Ohio.
Secure and accurate elections are the cornerstone of a functioning democracy. The specific equipment employed plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity of the voting process, providing a verifiable audit trail, and promoting public confidence in election outcomes. Ohio’s voting systems are chosen with these principles in mind, reflecting a balance between accessibility, security, and verifiability. The state’s history of election administration and ongoing modernization efforts contribute to its current system choices.
