OH HB546

Requires all ballots used in Ohio elections to include a watermark that allows election officials to verify the ballot is genuine and matches the ballot issued to the voter.

Defines "watermark" as a unique, randomly assigned identifying image, pattern, or alphanumeric code placed on or embedded within a paper ballot that is not visible to the naked eye but becomes visible through alternate light sources or other technology.

Allows election officials to reject ballots as fraudulent if they lack a watermark or have an incorrect watermark during ballot counting and absent voter ballot verification processes.

Requires absent voter ballots without proper watermarks to be rejected and not counted, adding watermark verification as a ground for rejecting absent voter ballots.

Applies watermark requirements to all ballot types including in-person and absent voter ballots cast under specified election code sections.