Voters With Disabilities In 2002, the Secretary of State and Ohio election officials launched an effort to change the way Ohioans vote. The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) required states to meet a set of standards to improve the security and accuracy of the nation's voting systems. Ohio was one of the first states to meet key HAVA requirements. Ohio voters will notice the largest change under HAVA at their local polling places, as 44 Ohio counties used new voting equipment for the May 2006 primary. Ohio's remaining 44 counties successfully used new voting equipment in the November 2005 general election. The two types of voting equipment in use in Ohio, precinct count optical scan and direct record electronic, give voters the opportunity to check for and correct any mistakes or omissions before casting a ballot. Additionally, the new equipment meets stringent security and privacy standards. However, HAVA changes more than just the equipment Ohioans use to vote. Here are some of the other changes under HAVA: You will see at least one voting machine at your polling location that is accessible to the disabled. You will find it easier to cast a provisional ballot if poll workers are unable to find your name on the voter registration list. We have a uniform, centralized statewide voter registration database to ensure the accuracy of voter registration lists. If a first-time voter who registers by mail does not provide their drivers license number or the last four digits of their social security number when they register to vote, they will be required to provide an ID when they cast their ballot and will be assigned a special number that identifies them at their County Board of Elections office. You might see some younger faces where you vote. HAVA encourages high school and college students to become more involved in the process by volunteering as poll workers. We will make it easier for our men and women in the military and Ohioans overseas to vote. Congress has given federal funding to the states to pay for these changes. In addition, HAVA provides grants for polling place access for disabled voters, grants for research and development, and money for pilot programs to test new voting systems and equipment. Public Law 107 - 252 - Oct. 29, 2002: Help America Vote Act of 2002 (PDF) Help America Vote Act Summary (PDF) If you need Adobe Acrobat, please click here for the latest free version.