Want to vote by mail in Ohio's August election? Here's what to know about ballot requests

A little-known part of Ohio's new election law requires voters who want to request absentee ballots to fill out a state-issued application.

The current form from Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office details new requirements and deadlines under the law, which took effect earlier this year. The measure most notably requires Ohioans to show photo ID at the polls, but it also changed timelines for absentee voting and other election policies.

More: You asked, we answered: What Ohioans need to know about the August election on Issue 1

But LaRose's office said this week that voters can use an outdated application for the upcoming August special election − as long as they follow the new identification rules.

The guidance from LaRose came amid confusion over which forms can be accepted for the Aug. 8 election on Issue 1, which would make it harder to change the state constitution.

Here's what voters need to know.

Where did this come from?

The Cleveland Jewish News recently published an absentee ballot request application"in a format that was never prescribed by the secretary of state," LaRose spokesman Rob Nichols said.

A Cuyahoga County election official referred questions about the form to the newspaper. The paper's editor, Bob Jacob, said they found the incorrect form on the secretary of state's website and published the correct document when they became aware of the error.

"We also received thanks from the secretary of state’s office, as well as the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections office, for being one of a handful of newspapers that would devote space to publishing the form in an attempt to assist our readers," Jacob said.

Under the new law, only applications from the secretary of state's office can be accepted. Voters could previously submit a request in any format, as long as it contained the necessary information.

LaRose told reporters Saturday that the error affected around 30 voters. He said he instructed the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections to contact them and ensure they fill out the right form.

More: How Ohio Issue 1 could make it harder to put amendments on the ballot

Meanwhile, a group supporting Issue 1 − Protect Our Constitution − mistakenly mailed out a 2017 application from the secretary of state's office. While it was a state-issued form, it contained outdated information, such as the deadline by which voters need to submit applications. Ohioans must now request mail-in ballots at least seven days before the election, instead of three days allowed under previous law.

The group's spokesman, Spencer Gross, said it went out to a "limited universe of voters."

What does this mean for the August election?

State elections director Chris Burnett told election officials on Tuesday that they can accept old state forms, as long as voters follow updated ID rules. That's the same guidance LaRose's office issued in through a directive in February ahead of the May primary election.

More: What supporters, opponents are saying about Issue 1 on Ohio's August ballot

To be safe, voters should get forms from the secretary of state's website or their local board of elections instead of a third party, said Aaron Ockerman, executive director of the Ohio Association of Election Officials.

“This isn’t going to disenfranchise anyone," Ockerman said. "If you use the wrong form, we will be in touch with you and will get you the right form."

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio August election: What to know about absentee ballot request forms