A STRONGER FUTURE A Stronger Future for Ohio 2016 Annual Report Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted FOR OHIO 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
To ensure a strong future for Ohio, we must improve and embrace change to win the future. That s what we re doing in the Secretary of State s Office - and it s working. -Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted To ensure a strong future for Ohio, we must innovate and embrace change to win the future. That s what we re doing at the Secretary of State s Office and it s working.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents 1. Cutting the Bureaucracy Pages 1-2 2. Better Business Services, Better Jobs for Ohioans Pages 3-4 01 CUTTING THE BUREAUCRACY 3. Easy to Vote & Hard to PAGES Cheat Pages 5-7 4. Legislative Accomplishments Page 8 1-2 02 PAGES 3-4 BETTER BUSINESS SERVICES BETTER JOBS FOR OHIOANS 03 PAGES 5-7 EASY TO VOTE & HARD TO CHEAT 04 PAGE 8 LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
CUTTING THE BUREAUCRACY Secretary Husted continues to expand services offered by his office while delivering on his pledge to cut government spending. In fact, the Secretary of State s Office was the only statewide office to seek a cut, not an increase, in its budget as part of the 2016-2017 biennial budget. Cutting the Bureaucracy This commitment Secretary to Husted fiscal continues responsibility to expand services has offered resulted by his office in while Secretary delivering on Husted his pledge saving to taxpayers cut government spending. In fact, the Secretary of State s Office was the only statewide office to seek a more than $14.5 cut, not an million increase, in in its budget spending as part of the in 2016-2017 his first biennial budget. term compared to the previous This commitment to fiscal responsibility has resulted in Secretary Husted saving taxpayers more than administration, $14.5 which million represents in spending in his a first 16 term percent compared to cut. the previous This administration, includes which a $4.4 represents million savings in payroll cost during a 16 percent the cut. same This includes time a period. $4.4 million savings in payroll cost during the same time period. Total Savings $14.5 million saved during first term, a 16% reduction compared to the previous administration Payroll SECOND TERM Staffing levels are down and in fiscal year 2016 payroll costs totaled $11.7 million the lowest level in 9 years. $14.5 million saved during first term, a 16% Printing reduction compared to the previous administration Many publications have moved online for wider distribution, saving $100,000 each year Answering the Call Cleveland Sight Center takes over operation of business services call center, wait times cut dramatically and expanded hours of coverage in addition to expected cost savings. Only statewide Second office Term Staffing levels are down and in holder to seek Only a statewide cut, office holder to seek a cut, not an increase, in the most recent budget. fiscal year 2016 payroll costs not an increase, More in Efficient the Operations totaled $11.7 million the most recent Secretary budget. Husted has worked to reduce staffing levels by 38 percent as of today compared lowest level to July in 2010 9 years. during the last full year of the previous administration. Operational Spending (FY 2016) $16.74 Million ANSWERING THE CALL Cleveland Sight Center takes over operation of business services call center, wait times cut dramatically and expanded hours of coverage in addition to expected cost savings. TOTAL SAVINGS PAYROLL PRINTING Many publications have moved online for wider distribution, saving $100,000 each year OPERATIONAL SPENDING FY 2016 MORE EFFICIENT OPERATIONS Secretary Husted has worked to reduce staffing levels by 38 percent as of today compared to July 2010 during the last full year of the previous administration. EMPLOYEES 202 126 VS JULY 2010 JULY 2016
SUCCESS DIVIDEND Secretary Husted s efforts to improve the experience for the customer and operate more efficiently have resulted in a success dividend that will now be passed onto our customers by way of a 21 percent cut in filing fees for new businesses beginning in September 2015. Success Dividend In 2015, lawmakers Secretary Husted s approved efforts to Secretary improve the experience Husted s for the request customer and to operate cut the more required efficiently have fee for starting resulted in a success dividend that will now be passed onto our customers by way of a 21 percent cut in a new business filing from fees for $125 new businesses to $99. beginning This in September marks 2015. the first time in modern history that the fee has been cut. In As 2015, a result, lawmakers Ohio approved will Secretary be one Husted s of request the least to cut the expensive required fee for states starting a new in the region to start business from $125 to $99. This marks the first time in modern history that the fee has been cut. As a and maintain a result, company. Ohio will be one of the least expensive states in the region to start and maintain a company. The fee reduction is estimated to save business owners $2 million annually. Reduced Business Filing Fees The fee reduction is estimated to save business owners $2 million annually. 1st reduction in recent Ohio history making Ohio one of the least expensive states in the region to start and maintain a company. This marks a rare moment when government has cut costs, improved services and is actually returning the savings back to our customers. Just imagine where our state would be if every government agency cut costs by 21 percent. - Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted REDUCED BUSINESS FILING FEES 2016 ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 2 OLD NEW Reduction in recent Ohio history making Ohio one of the least expensive states in the region to start and maintain a company ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS NINETY-NINE DOLLARS $1.74 MILLION EQUALS A DECREASE IN FILING FEES SAVINGS FOR CUSTOMERS IN 9 MONTHS SINCE OCT. 2015 This marks a rare moment when government has cut costs, improved services and is actually returning the savings back to our customers. Just imagine where our state would be if every government agency cut costs by 21 percent.
BETTER BUSINESS SERVICES BETTER JOBS FOR OHIOANS Better Business Services Better Jobs for Ohioans Record New Business Filings RECORD NEW BUSINESS FILINGS Due to cut fees, online capabilities and faster turn around. We ve reduced fees and improved services while cutting costs to provide better, more efficient services to the public. There are those who talk about running government more efficiently and there are those who do it In my office, we are doing it. - Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted DUE TO CUT FEES, ONLINE CAPABILITIES & FASTER TURN AROUND 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 97,746 93,775 89,735 88,068 82,601 80,273 22 % INCREASE 2010-2015 We ve reduced fees and improved services while cutting costs to provide better, more efficient services to the public. There are those who talk about running government more efficiently and there are those who do it In my office, we are doing it.
2016 ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 4 BUSINESS SERVICES 214,447 BUSINESS FILINGS APPROVED Business Services by the Numbers 412,221Total Filings. 214,447 Business Filings Approved BY THE NUMBERS 158,2229 UCC Filings Approved 20,659 Apostilles Processed 9,927 Gold Seal Certifications Processed 8,959 Minister Licenses Approved Giving Back This year, Secretary of State employees donated approximately $5,000 to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. With these donations, the Mid-Ohio Foodbank is able to distribute nearly $50,000 worth of groceries to hungry Ohioans. 412,221 TOTAL FILINGS 8,959 MINISTER LICENSES APPROVED 158,229 UCC FILINGS APPROVED 20,659 APOSTILLES PROCESSED 9,927 GOLD SEAL CERTIFICATIONS PROCESSED GIVING BACK THIS YEAR, SECRETARY OF STATE EMPLOYEES DONATED APPROXIMATELY WITH THESE DONATIONS, THE MID-OHIO FOODBANK IS ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE NEARLY $ 5,000 $ 50,000 TO THE MID-OHIO FOODBANK WORTH OF GROCERIES TO HUNGRY OHIOANS
EASY TO VOTE & HARD TO CHEAT MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF ELECTIONS Easy to Vote & Hard cast to Cheat a ballot. Ohioans have more than 200 hours of early, Maintaining the Integrity in-person of Elections voting where they can cast a ballot in person before Ohio is one of the easiest states in the Nation in which to cast a ballot. Ohioans have more than 200 hours of early, in-person voting where they can cast a ballot in person before Election Day. A registered voter can also vote absentee by mail for four weeks without leaving the comfort of home. Average hours of early voting each election: 211 Complete info (SS/DOB/DL) on 90% of voter records, up from 20% in 2011 211 Voting is not only a right, but also a responsibility. By educating future generations of voters about the role they can have in deciding the outcome COMPLETE of an election, which has a direct impact INFO on their lives, we will hopefully have an electorate that is more engaged. - Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted speaking to high school students about the Grads Vote initiative (SS/DOB/DL) AVERAGE HOURS OF EARLY VOTING EACH ELECTION Ohio is one of the easiest states in the Nation in which to Election Day. A registered voter can also vote absentee by mail for four weeks without leaving the comfort of home. 90 % % ON 90% OF VOTER 20 RECORDS, UP FROM 20% IN 2011 Voting is not only a right, but also a responsibility. By educating future generations of voters about the role they can have in deciding the outcome of an election, which has a direct impact on their lives, we will hopefully have an electorate that is more engaged. SPEAKING TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT THE GRADS VOTE INITIATIVE
35,000+ 2016 ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 6 PRECINCT ELECTION OFFICIALS ARE NEEDED TO RUN 8,887 35,000+ precinct election officials are needed to run 8,887 precincts. 350,000+ voters have updated their registration online. The Secretary of State s Office has received more than 3,000 FPCA forms from military and overseas voters in: 101 Countries PRECINCTS 48 States and 9 Navy ships at sea Maintaining the Voter Rolls Since 2011, Ohio has: Verified and removed 490,000 deceased Ohioans, The Secretary of State s Office has received more than 3,000 9 NAVY SHIPS AT SEA VOTERS HAVE One Vote Matters UPDATED In 3 years, 108 races and issues have been decided by one vote. THEIR REGISTRATION ONLINE Resolved 1.4 million duplicate registrations, and Contacted 1.5 million voters to update their information. FPCA forms from military and overseas voters in: 48 STATES 101 COUNTRIES ONE VOTE MATTERS IN 3 YEARS 108 RACES AND ISSUES HAVE BEEN DECIDED BY ONE VOTE MAINTAINING THE VOTER ROLLS SINCE 2011 OHIO HAS: VERIFIED & REMOVED 490K DECEASED OHIOANS RESOLVED 1.4M DUPLICATE REGISTRATIONS CONTACTED 1.5M VOTERS TO UPDATE THEIR INFORMATION
ENSURING ALL OHIO VOTERS HAVE ACCESS TO VOTE MILITARY READY TO VOTE Featuring web, Ensuring print and all Voters social media Have Access to Vote components, Military Military Ready Ready-to-Vote makes it easy for Ohio soldiers on active duty to register and vote, get reminders about upcoming Shielding elections our Protectors and important deadlines, and get other voting questions answered all in one place. Ohio was named Ohio an Voter All-Star Passport state by the Military Voter Protection Project for the way we serve military voters. Featuring web, print and social media components, Military Ready-to-Vote makes it easy for Ohio soldiers on active duty to register and vote, get reminders about upcoming elections and important deadlines, and get other voting questions answered all in one place. Ohio was named an All-Star state by the Military Voter Protection Project for the way we serve military voters. Shielding Our Protectors is about protecting those who proctect us. The program enables Ohio public safety professionals to more easily utilize provisions in state law that allows them to redact their home addresses from public databases, including Ohio s Statewide Registered Voter Database. Ohio Voter Passport is making it easier for thousands of Ohioans to make their voices heard and provides what they need to participate in the election process. This program explains how Ohioans can vote from overseas and stay informed. OHIO VOTER PASSPORT Ohio Voter Passport is making it easier for thousands of Ohioans to make their voices heard and provides what they need to participate in the election process. This program explains how Ohioans can vote from overseas and stay informed. VOTER TOOLKIT Track Your Absentee Ballot Find Your Polling Location WWW.MYOHIOVOTE.COM SHIELDING OUR PROTECTORS Shielding Our Protectors is about protecting those who proctect us. The program enables Ohio public safety professionals to more easily utilize provisions in state law that allows them to redact their home addresses from public databases, including Ohio s Statewide Registered Voter Database. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO? View Your Sample Ballot Check Your Voter Registration
LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS Legislative Accomplishments Business Fee Cut - July 2015 This proposal was a success dividend. We are doing more with less in the Secretary of State s JULY that cut the cost of starting a business At Secretary Husted s request, the General Assembly passed legislation that cut the cost of starting a Office, providing business the best in Ohio possible by 21 percent customer in Ohio by 21 percent from $125 to $99 from $125 to $99 making Ohio the cheapest state in the region to service, which has start and led maintain to record a business. business 2015 making Ohio the cheapest state in filings and increased revenues. Now we have the region to start and maintain a passed those savings This proposal on to was our a success customers. dividend. We are doing more with less in business. the Secretary of State s Office, providing the best possible customer service, which has led to record business filings and increased revenues. Now we have passed those savings on to our customers. - Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted Redistricting Reform - November 2015 Voters approved state issue 1 to Voters approved state issue 1 to replace the partisan process of drawing Ohio House and Senate districts with a bipartisan process to have boundaries that are more compact replace and politically the competitive. partisan process of Ohio voters strengthened their voice by rightly NOV drawing Ohio House and Senate choosing to end a Ohio political voters strengthened monopoly their by ending voice by rightly choosing to end a political districts monopoly with by a ending bipartisan process to the practice of partisan the practice gerrymandering of partisan gerrymandering of state of state legislative 2015 districts - have Ohio Secretary boundaries of State Jon that are more legislative Husted districts compact and politically competitive. OHIO SECRETARY Safe OF at STATE Home JON - HUSTED May 2016 Under the Safe At Home program, the addresses of survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, stalking and other crimes will now be shielded from public record. SAFE AT HOME No Ohioan should ever have to choose between their personal liberties, Under like exercising the Safe their At right Home to program, the vote, or their personal safety. - Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted MAY addresses of survivors of domestic No Ohioan should ever have to choose violence, human trafficking, stalking between their personal Online liberties, Voter like Registration exercising - June 2016 and other crimes will now be shielded their right to vote, Online or voter their registration, personal which safety. goes into effect January 2017, makes voting easier, more secure, and from public record. saves tax dollars. Online voter registration moves Ohio forward into the 21st Century for how we run elections and ensures it is easy to vote and hard to cheat in the Buckeye State. - Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted JUNE 2016 2016 ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 8 BUSINESS FEE CUT At Secretary Husted s request, the General Assembly passed legislation REDISTRICTING REFORM ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION Online voter registration, which goes into effect January 2017, makes voting easier, more secure, and saves tax dollars. Online voter registration moves Ohio forward into the 21st Century for how we run elections and ensures it is easy to vote and hard to cheat in the Buckeye State.
Jon Husted Ohio Secretary of State (614) 466-2655 (877) SOS-Ohio (877-767-6446) TTY: (614) 466-0562 TTY Toll-free: (877) 644-6889 180 East Broad Street, 16th Floor Columbus, Ohio 43215 www.ohiosecretaryofstate.gov This report was compiled pursuant to ORC 149.01 and was designed and produced internally by Secretary of State staff. SOS 0121 (07/2016) (614) 466-2655 (877) SOS-Ohio (877-767-6446) TTY: (614) 466-0562 TTY Toll-free: (877) 644-6889 180 East Broad Street, 16th Floor Columbus, Ohio 43215 www.ohiosecretaryofstate.gov This report was compiled pursuant to ORC 149.01 and was designed and produced internally by Secretary of State staff. SOS 0121 (07/2016)