Ohio elections boss: Voter photo bill may delay results

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio’s elections chief says if voters are required to show photo ID at the polls it could delay final vote counts for days, including in presidential elections.

Secretary of State Jon Husted told an Ohio Senate panel Thursday about his concerns regarding a voter photo bill passed by the House.

Under the proposal sent to the Senate, a voter without picture identification on Election Day would be given a provisional ballot that would be set aside for up to 10 days until the voter presents a photo ID to the local elections board.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Husted said the bill could increase the number of Ohio provisional ballots to 250,000 or more, potentially deciding the outcome of a presidential election and leaving the country hanging for 10 days.