SB 200 changes some of the policies and procedures governing the maintenance of the statewide voter registration database including:
- outlining interstate information exchange agreements;
- establishing additional rules for state and federal agencies now required to provide voter information updates to the Secretary of State; and,
- creating new obligations for Boards of Elections when voters’ registration information does not match the database.
The bill also makes changes to general voter registration processes and purging deceased voters from the system. These technical changes increase uniformity for certain Board of Elections procedures, clarify the responsibilities of state agencies and the Secretary of State, and spell out security and privacy protections.
Jurisdiction/Legislation Level
State
LCS Legislation Status
http://lsc.state.oh.us/coderev/sen130.nsf/Senate+Bill+Number/0200?OpenDo...
Our Take on This Bill
The ACLU of Ohio appreciates the legislature’s attempt to modernize our voter registration database and bring uniformity to the system. However, SB 200 contains overly broad language, some of which gives excessive discretionary power to the Secretary of State. This bill also contains troublesome privacy provisions that amend current law by removing limitations on what information about voters can and will be made available on the website for the Secretary of State beyond the name, address, precinct and voting history.
The ACLU of Ohio urges the strengthening of privacy protections to prohibit the dissemination of confidential information and adding more clarity to the powers of the Secretary of State.
Bill Status
Passed out of the Senate State Government Oversight & Reform Committee on 10/30/13
Passed the Senate on 10/30/13
Passed out of the House Policy and Legislative Oversight Committee on 12/10/13
Passed the House on 12/11/13
Signed by the Governor on 12/19/13
Committees
Policy and Legislative Oversight (H), State Government Oversight and Reform (S)
