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GET READY TO VOTE

GET READY TO VOTE

THERE ARE LOTS OF RULES AROUND VOTING, BUT WE'RE HERE TO HELP!


This page offers all the "Get Ready to Vote" basic information you'll need to successfully cast your ballot.

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Voting by Mail

VOTER REGISTRATION

You must be registered to vote at least 30 days before an election. 

Register to Vote or Update Your Registration 

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VOTER ID REQUIREMENTS

To vote early in-person or on Election Day you'll need one of the following types of photo ID, which must be unexpired but does not require a current address. 

  • Any type of license or ID card issued by the Ohio Bureau of Motor vehicles. This can include a commercial, motorcycle, probationary, restricted, temporary, interim, or suspended license. 

  • An Ohio Bureau of Motor vehicles-issued state ID card

  • A US passport book/card.

  • US military ID card; Ohio National Guard ID card; or US Department of Veterans Affairs ID card.

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Change of Name

A voter’s name on their photo ID may be different from the voter’s reported change of name.​ 

To use a photo ID with a previous name, the voter must:

  • Provide proof of the legal name change

  • Complete and sign Form 10-L,

  • Be registered within the precinct, the voter’s name on the photo ID may be different from the voter’s reported change of name.​ 

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If you do not have any of the above forms of identification at the time of casting your ballot:

  • You are entitled to cast a provisional ballot.

  • You will be given follow up instructions to ensure that your vote is counted.  

  • You will have to eventually provided the required ID

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VOTING BY MAIL

Ohio voters have the opportunity to vote in any election from the convenience of their own home by requesting an absentee ballot. 

  • Voters must fill out and return an application to vote by mail and their absentee ballot will be mailed to them.

  • The deadline to request an absentee ballot is seven days before the election in which you want to vote, but be sure to give yourself plenty of time and send your application as soon as possible if you choose to vote by mail! 

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STEP 1: Print/Request an absentee ballot request form​

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STEP 2: Complete the absentee ballot application

 

STEP 3: Return your ballot

  • OPTION 1: Mail your absentee ballot request form  

  • OPTION 2: Personally deliver your absentee ballot request form back to your local county board of elections. 

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STEP 4: Wait to receive your mail ballot package in the mail from your county board of elections.

  • Make sure to follow the directions carefully to fill out and return your ballot. 

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STEP 5: Return your voted ballot.

  • OPTION 1: Personally deliver your ballot to the county Board of Elections. ** 

    • If your ballot is not postmarked it must be received by the Board of Elections by 7:30 PM on Election Day.

    • If you don't want to walk it inside you can put it in the Drop Box. 

      • **A voter may deliver the ballot personally or may have a family member deliver the absentee ballot. "Family member" includes spouse, domestic partner, mother, father, step-mother, step-father, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother, sister, step-brother, step-sister, half-brother, half-sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, child, step-child, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, or other family member living in the same household. ​

    • DO NOT RETURN YOUR BALLOT TO YOUR LOCAL POLLING PLACE ON ELECTION DAY.

  • ​OPTION 2: Return your ballot in the mail, in which it must be postmarked by the day before Election Day and received no later than the fourth day after Election Day. 

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PRO TIP: DON'T DELAY REQUESTING AND/OR SENDING BACK YOUR MAIL BALLOT.

  • You can request a ballot up to 90 days before an election.

  • Ballots begin to be mailed out just after the Voter Registration deadline for that election. 

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PRO TIP: YOU DO NOT NEED A PHOTO ID TO CAST YOU BALLOT BY MAIL.

  • You can use the last four digits of your social security number as a form of identity when requesting and casting your ballot by mail. 

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Voter ID
Voter Registration

EARLY VOTING

Early Voting

Starting the day after the close of voter registration, all registered voters can vote early at their local county Board of Elections office or a designated Early Vote Center. 

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VOTING ON ELECTION DAY

Election Day Voting Location

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ELECTION DATES & DEADLINES

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