Require Ohio election ballots to have an identifying watermark

HB 546 requires all paper ballots used in Ohio elections to include a unique, invisible watermark that election officials can verify using special light sources or technology. This measure aims to help officials confirm that a ballot is genuine and was issued to the specific voter who cast it, particularly when reviewing absentee ballots. The bill also updates existing election laws by defining terms like "watermark" and clarifying rules for counting ballots, including provisions that prevent rejection based on ink marks other than provided pencils. By establishing these verification standards, the legislation seeks to streamline the process for identifying fraudulent or mismatched ballots without altering how voters mark their choices.