How to vote by mail or vote early in Ohio
How to vote by mail or vote early in Ohio
All Ohio voters whose registration information is up-to-date have the opportunity to vote in any election from the convenience of their own homes by requesting an absentee ballot.
VOTING BY MAIL
Step 1:
Ensure that your voter registration is up-to-date here: https://voterlookup.ohiosos.gov/voterlookup.aspx
If there are any issues with your registration, or you cannot find your voter registration, contact your county board of elections immediately. You can find your county board of elections here: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/elections-officials/county-boards-of-elections-directory/#dir
Step 2: Apply for your absentee ballot
Once you have confirmed that your voter registration is up-to-date and accurate, you will need to request your absentee ballot to be sent to you. You must request your absentee ballot no later than October 31st to ensure time for processing!
1. Complete the online form located here: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/absentee-ballot. This is the best option, as it will let you know if you forget to add any required information.
Make sure your county is correct when you enter your registration address. The form will provide you with your county board of election’s address at the bottom of the generated document, but it will only be accurate if you enter the right county!
2. You will have to choose a form of voter ID. You have 3 options:
Your Ohio driver’s license number— click the radio button next to “Your Ohio Driver License number:” and a box will appear. Type your driver’s license number in the box.
The last 4 digits of your social security number— click the radio button next to “ The last 4 digits of your Social Security number:” and a box will appear. Type the last 4 digits of your social security number in the box.
Make a copy of a current and valid photo identification, military identification, or a current (within the last 12 months) utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document (other than a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections) that contains your name and current address. For more information on valid Ohio voter ID, visit https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/id-requirements/
3. You will also have to choose the election for which you are requesting your absentee ballot.
Type the date of the election in the date box next to “I wish to vote in the following election to be held on (mm/dd/yyyy).”
You must also select “General Election” or “Special Election.” Make sure to choose the election that corresponds to the date you requested.
The dates are on the form— you just have to make sure they match!
4. Once you have completed the form, click the “Download & Print” button. Save the PDF file to your computer, then print it, and sign the form on the (by hand, no digital signatures!).
5. Mail or drop off your absentee ballot request form to your county board of elections office. The address will be printed on the bottom of the document created when you hit “Download & Print,” or you can find it here: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/elections-officials/county-boards-of-elections-directory/#dir
6. Track the status of your ballot request at https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/toolkit/ballot-tracking/
Step 3: Vote and return your ballot
Once you receive your absentee ballot, follow the instructions that your county elections official provides with your ballot carefully to make sure it will be counted.
You have 2 options for returning your Ohio absentee ballot:
Mail it to your county board of elections
Must be mailed via USPS-- NO UPS, FedEx, etc.
You must provide postage. Ohio does not pay for it, and your ballot will not be received without it!
Make sure your ballot is postmarked. You can do this by:
Using a vending machine at a USPS station to print a postage label (the label will have the date postmarked on it)
Purchasing a postage label from a customer service representative at the post office window
Putting a stamp on your envelope, but turning it into a customer service representative at a post office window and specifically asking that it be postmarked
Do NOT use a postage meter or an online service (such as stamps.com) for postage. You must use USPS postage ONLY.
If you mail your ballot, it must be postmarked no later than November 2nd AND received by your county board of elections by November 13th. Send it in early to ensure that it will be received!
Drop it off in person at your county board of elections office by 7:30 PM on November 3rd. Check with your county board of elections office to confirm how late they are open. Some offices may close earlier!
You can find your county board of elections here: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/elections-officials/county-boards-of-elections-directory/#dir
Step 4: Check the status of your ballot
Once you submit your Ohio mail-in ballot, make sure to check its status here: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/toolkit/ballot-tracking/
If your ballot is rejected or if it is 10 days until the election and your ballot has not yet been recorded, call your county board of elections ASAP to find out what your options are. You can find their number here: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/elections-officials/county-boards-of-elections-directory/#dir
CHECK YOUR BALLOT STATUS UNTIL IT IS CONFIRMED AS ACCEPTED!
If you have requested an absentee ballot and wish to vote in person on Election Day (November 3rd) because your ballot has not been received, you will have to vote a provisional ballot. Make sure that if you vote a provisional ballot that you track your ballot’s status at https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/toolkit/ballot-tracking/
ALTERNATIVE: Early in-person voting
Early voting begins October 6th.
If you are early voting in person, make sure to bring your accepted Ohio voter ID.
If you do not provide voter ID, you may still vote a provisional ballot, but you must return to the board of elections no later than 7 days following Election Day to provide a qualifying form of identification.
You can find the requirements for Ohio voter ID here: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/id-requirements/
Most Ohio counties provide early voting at their board of elections office. You can find your county board of elections here: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/elections-officials/county-boards-of-elections-directory/#dir
However, the following counties have separate early voting centers:
Lucas: Ohio Means Jobs Building, 1301 Monroe Street, Toledo Ohio 43604
Miami: Hobart Center for County Government, 510 West Water Street, Troy Ohio 45373
Summit: SCBOE Early Vote Center, 500 Grant Street, Akron Ohio 44311
For more specific information on where to vote, check with your county board of election, which you can find here: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/elections-officials/county-boards-of-elections-directory/#dir
For more information on voting in Ohio, including voter registration and deadlines, visit https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/
