EATON — A recent ruling by the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals will require the Preble County Board of Elections to be open extra days and hours.

According to a directive issued to all Ohio county boards of elections by Ohio Secretary of State John Husted on Friday, Nov. 4, every BOE must be open to the public on each of the seven calendar days immediately following election day (Nov. 8,) during specified hours, in order for voters “to cure a deficiency on an absentee or provisional ballot, as provided for in state law.”

According to Preble County Board of Elections Director Terri Hans, this means “if someone goes to the polls and doesn’t provide ID, they have seven days to provide it so their ballot can be counted.”

On Election Day eve, Monday, Nov. 7, Hans said she has no idea how many Preble County ballots will be affected by this ruling.

“Preble County pretty well knows they have to take some ID to the polls,” she added.

According to officials, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth District recently “held that the seven day post-election cure period for absentee and provisional ballots established by state law is constitutional.” Last week the Supreme Court of the United States denied a petition to stay the appeals court’s decision.

The seventh day after the Nov. 8 election is Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Under the directive, the Preble County Board of Elections office will be open Wednesday, Nov. 9, Thursday, Nov. 10 and Friday, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 12, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 13. from 1-5 p.m. and Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 14-15 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Official ballot counting will begin on Nov. 21, according to Hans, who said Preble County’s will be wrap up on Nov. 28.