In 2004, voters in predominantly urban areas faced long lines due to poor guidance and planning for voting machine allocation; a lack of voting machines; and no "long line" contingency plans. As a result, an untold number of Ohioans were unable to cast a ballot in that election.

In 2008, the Secretary of State's office has worked in partnership with local boards of elections to craft solutions that should reduce or eliminate long lines on Election Day. In addition to these best practices, the Secretary of State's office applauds the legislature's actions to expand absentee voting to all Ohioans and to provide Ohioans with a 5-day window to update their registration or register for the first time, and to request an in-person absentee ballot at the same time.

Panelists:

- Ted Allen - Associate Professor, Ohio State University

- David Farrell - Deputy Assistant Secretary of State

- Jill Miller Zimon - Blogger, WritesLikeSheTalks

- Jane Platten - Director, Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

- Peg Rosenfield - Elections Specialist, League of Women Voters

- Jeff Wilkinson - Deputy Director, Richland County Board of Elections