“By passing SB 293, Ohio lawmakers stood with the majority of states nationwide in affirming that Election Day should be treated as Election Day — a commonsense standard that strengthens trust in our elections.” – Ken Cuccinelli, National Chairman of the Election Transparency Initiative and former Virginia Attorney General
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 19, 2025
Arlington, VA — December 19, 2025 The Election Transparency Initiative (ETI) today commended Governor Mike DeWine for signing Senate Bill 293 into law, praising his leadership and his willingness to listen to Ohioans who expect their elections to be conducted with clarity, consistency, and integrity.
By signing SB 293, Governor DeWine exercised the authority entrusted to him to take meaningful action at a critical moment to build public confidence in Ohio’s elections. The legislation establishes clear and uniform standards for absentee ballot receipt, reinforcing the principle that Election Day should be treated as Election Day.
“Governor DeWine made the right decision at the right time,” said Ken Cuccinelli, former Virginia Attorney General and National Chairman of the Election Transparency Initiative. “With the power entrusted to him, he chose to act decisively, respect the rule of law, and strengthen confidence in Ohio’s election process.”
ETI also expressed gratitude to State Senators Theresa Gavarone and Andrew O. Brenner for sponsoring SB 293, as well as to the legislators in both chambers who voted in favor of the bill and stood for consistent, voter-focused election administration.
“Clear rules applied evenly are essential to free and fair elections,” Cuccinelli added. “By adopting this reform, Ohio joins thirty-four other states that already recognize Election Day as the day ballots must be received. This is not a fringe or minority position — it is the clear national majority, and states with this standard have conducted successful elections for years.”
Claims that SB 293 will disenfranchise voters rely on a false premise. Election laws apply going forward, and when clear rules are set in advance, voter behavior adjusts accordingly—prior acceptance of ballots after Election Day encouraged late mailing, but with uniform deadlines now in place, voters will simply mail ballots earlier to ensure timely receipt, just as they do in the majority of states that already follow this standard.
The Election Transparency Initiative emphasized that SB 293 reflects a commonsense approach that balances access with accountability while treating every lawful vote equally. Uniform deadlines help avoid confusion, reduce post-election disputes, and reinforce trust in election outcomes.
ETI encouraged Ohio lawmakers to continue prioritizing election integrity in the coming legislative year and to build on this progress with reforms that promote transparency, consistency, and public confidence.
The Election Transparency Initiative thanks Governor DeWine for listening to Ohio voters, respecting the law, and using his office to make a difference when it mattered.
The Election Transparency Initiative, a partnership between the American Principles Project (APP) and Susan B. Anthony (SBA) Pro-Life America, was organized to combat federal H.R. 1 and H.R. 4 legislation and advocate for state-based election reforms that voters can trust. ETI advocates for practical reforms that enhance transparency, accountability, and public confidence in America’s elections.
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