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Voting by Mail

VOTER REGISTRATION

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

  • Ohioans can register to vote online or by sending a registration form through the mail

  • ​To register online, the voter will need to provide:

    • Ohio driver license or Ohio ID number

    • Name

    • Date of Birth

    • Address

    • Last four digits of your Social Security number

  • To register to vote through a form, the voter will need to provide:

    • Ohio BMV-issued driver license or Ohio ID number OR last four digits of your Social Security number

    • Name

    • Date of Birth

    • Address

Click here to register to vote in Ohio

  • Every Ohioan should regularly confirm that they are properly registered to vote

    • Click here to check you voter registration status​

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 provide the required ID within four days after the election.

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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

  • Double check to make sure all the information is correct

  • Make sure you've signed your 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 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.

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      • The individual dropping off the ballot on behalf of the voter must sign an attestation form at the Board of Elections affirming their relationship to the voter. 

    • 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 received by 7:30pm on 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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