Public Records
All records of the Board of Elections are public, unless they are specifically
exempt from disclosure under the Ohio Revised Code. “Record” includes any
document or device, whether paper, electronic, or other format, which is created
or received under the jurisdiction of this office and which documents the
organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other
activities of the office.
RECORD REQUESTS
No specific language is required to make a request, but the
requester must identify records with sufficient clarity to allow the office to
identify, retrieve, and review the records. If it is not clear what records are
being sought, the Board of Elections staff should ask the requester for
clarification and assist the requester in revising the request informing them of
the manner in which this office maintains and accesses its records. The
requester need not put a request in writing, or provide his or her identity or
the intended use of the requested records. It is this office’s general policy
that this information should not be requested.
VIEWING PUBLIC RECORDS
Inspection of public records must be made available
promptly. Copies of public records must be made within a reasonable period of
time. “Promptly” and “reasonable period of time” take into account the volume of
records requested, where the records are stored, and time for any legal review
and/ or redaction. Records prepared for inspection may be viewed during regular
business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm), with the exception of published
holidays.
MEDIUM OF RESPONSE & COST
The Board of Elections will provide copies of public
records on paper, on the medium which they are kept, or on any other medium that
the Board determines it reasonably can be copied as an integral part of the
normal operations of the office There is no cost for viewing (inspecting) public
records. Copies of public records may be charged at the following rates (actual
costs) and must be paid for in advance:
- Photo Copies (per page)….$.05
- Public
Records on CD……$1
- Electronic Records E-mailed to requester… no charge
- Records
mailed to requester… postage/delivery fee charged to requester
DENIAL OF REQUEST OR FAILURE TO RESPOND
It is the policy of the Board of
Elections to strictly adhere to the state’s Public Records Act. All exemptions
to openness are to be construed in their narrowest sense and any denial of
public records in response to a valid request must be accompanied by an
explanation, including legal authority, as outlined in the O.R.C. If a person
believes this office has failed to comply with the Ohio Public Records Act, they
may file a court petition in mandamus: 1.) to compel the office to comply with
the request, 2.) to seek payment of statutory damages, 3.) for court costs, and
4.) to have the office pay the requester’s attorney fees.