A new policy from the Bureau of Elections was approved by the Butler County Commissioners at a meeting Wednesday, Feb. 14, allowing more freedom in adjusting a mail-in ballot’s envelope.

According to Chantell McCurdy, bureau director, the policy will allow for mail-in or absentee voters, specifically those with an disability recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act, to correct information deemed defective on the ballot’s declaration envelope.

“This is not a policy in which you can cure a ballot,” she said, explaining that once a ballot is in possession of the bureau, it is considered “cast” and cannot be changed.

McCurdy said the process will allow someone to enter the bureau office and request to be a designated agent for the voter. Once they provide identification, they will transport the designated agent form to the voter for their signature of approval.

When that form is returned, McCurdy said the designated agent will be given an attestation form, which can be taken to the voter and completed to make a change on the declaration envelope. That envelope is the larger of two that is sent with a ballot, and the voter would be informed of any deficiencies by their registered party.

The process ensures that only one person is transporting forms to a voter who is not able to come into the office themselves.

“(Designated agents) cannot transport the ballot itself,” McCurdy said. “Only the declaration envelope can be changed via attestation.”

McCurdy said an instance last year prompted the implementation of the curing policy.

The county commissioners also approved a few changes to language and definitions in the policy.

In addition, McCurdy announced that the bureau has not yet procured a polling place for Middlesex Township’s third precinct.

She said the precinct came into existence after the township’s second precinct was divided. Crossway Community Church served as the third precinct’s polling place last year, and but would not be used in the coming election.

Glade Run Church turned down the opportunity to be a polling place Tuesday, McCurdy said.

“We do not yet have a replacement,” she said.