Burson-Marsteller is slated to head a proposed $15.3 million PR and advertising campaign aimed at educating Ohio voters about new voting machines on the horizon.

The effort, proposed by Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, would be a massive state-wide, 18-month push leading up to 2006 elections that Blackwell hopes would be a model for the country.

Ohio wants to have new electronic voting machines in place by November 2005 to comply with a new federal law requiring punch-card and lever-action machines to be phased out by the states.

Among the logistics of the plan are media tours, advertising and other efforts like direct mail, paycheck inserts and an "embedded" media program.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer has noted that Blackwell is among a competitive field for governor of Ohio in 2006 and a PR campaign which features him in its kickoff and originates from his office could be a "perk" as the election approaches.

Ohio is considered to be a crucial battleground state in this year's presidential election.