In Ohio early voting starts as early as October 6th for both absentee mail in voting and in person voting, making it easy for people to both mail in their ballots and vote in person. For military and over seas absentee voting starts on September 18th. The government even makes it easy to track your ballot if you mail it in, so there is really no excuse!
Ohioans have utilized absentee voting for nearly two decades, and that has allowed Ohio to put in place both the laws and processes necessary to make absentee voting secure against fraud.
Voter identification and signature are checked TWICE during the process
Voter list maintenance allows for accurate voter rolls
Ballot harvesting is against the law in Ohio
Voters able to track their ballot on VoteOhio.gov/Track
These requirements and processes, as well as strict laws against voter fraud, have made absentee voting secure in Ohio and instances of voter fraud exceedingly rare.
To avoid possible postal delays impacting your vote, we recommend mailing your completed ballot back by Tuesday, October 13th. Plan to drop it off by hand after that.
If you are still unsure, here is the official Ohio Government website:
Registering In Person: October 5, 2020
Registering By Mail: Postmarked October 5, 2020
Registering Online: N/A (applications can be printed from the website, but must be mailed)
Request In Person: Deadline October 31, 2020
Request By Mail: Deadline on October 31, 2020 by 12:00 pm
Request Online: Received October 31, 2020
The general rule is three days in advance but even then, that is cutting it close.
If mailed, absentee/VBM ballots must be postmarked the day BEFORE the Election (November 2nd), and received by your county Board of Elections within ten days of the election (November 3rd).
If you use a postage label purchased at a USPS customer service window or vending machine, the date on the label is the postmark. This is the USPS-recommended way to postmark your ballot.
If you use postage stamps, ask that it be postmarked.
If you return your ballot to the board in person, or if a near relative* delivers it for you, the board of elections must receive your ballot no later than 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
We strongly recommend mailing your ballot much earlier (by October 13th) and, if that's not possible, dropping it off in person.
No.
No.
Absentee ballots must be delivered to your County Election Board in person by 7:30pm local time on Election Day, November 3, 2020.
Yes, a near relative of the absentee voter may deliver the ballot.
"Near relative" includes: the voter’s spouse or the voter’s father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, grandfather, grandmother, brother, or sister of the whole or half blood, or the son, daughter, adopting parent, adopted child, stepparent, stepchild, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece.
October 6, 2020 to 2pm November 2, 2020.
8 AM - 5 PM Monday through Friday, with some extended evening hours in the week prior to the election
8 AM - 4 PM on Saturday
1 PM - 5 PM on November 1, 2020
Most Ohio counties provide early voting at their board of elections office. However, the following counties have separate early voting centers:
Lucas: Ohio Means Jobs Building, 1301 Monroe Street, Toledo Ohio 43604
Summit: SCBOE Early Vote Center, 500 Grant Street, Akron Ohio 44311
Strict Non-Photo ID
Voters who do not present an acceptable form of ID, driver’s license or state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security numbers can cast a provisional ballot but must bring ID to the county board of elections within seven days for their vote to be counted.
Those who vote early in person are required to provide the last four digits of their social security number if they lack an Ohio driver’s license or non-driver ID card.
Current and valid photo ID issued by the federal government or the State of Ohio (driver’s licenses and non-driver photo IDs issued by the Ohio BMV are acceptable even if the address does not match the address on the voter’s registration.)
Military ID.
A copy or original of a current utility bill (including a cell phone bill), bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document (including those issued by a public college or university) that shows the voter’s name and current address (but not a notice of an election or a voter registration notification sent by a Board of Elections). A utility bill may be a printout of an electronically transmitted statement for services owed, paid, or a regular paper copy. Colleges and universities may issue students living on campus a current utility bill with a current address that students can use as voter ID. A bill indicating that the student has already paid for utilities is acceptable.
No.
6:30am - 7:30pm
If you are in line when polls close, you are legally entitled to vote. Don't leave!
Strict Non-Photo ID
Voters who do not present an acceptable form of ID, driver’s license or state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security numbers can cast a provisional ballot but must bring ID to the county board of elections within seven days for their vote to be counted.
Those who vote early in person are required to provide the last four digits of their social security number if they lack an Ohio driver’s license or non-driver ID card.
Current and valid photo ID issued by the federal government or the State of Ohio (driver’s licenses and non-driver photo IDs issued by the Ohio BMV are acceptable even if the address does not match the address on the voter’s registration.)
Military ID.
A copy or original of a current utility bill (including a cell phone bill), bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document (including those issued by a public college or university) that shows the voter’s name and current address (but not a notice of an election or a voter registration notification sent by a Board of Elections). A utility bill may be a printout of an electronically transmitted statement for services owed, paid, or a regular paper copy. Colleges and universities may issue students living on campus a current utility bill with a current address that students can use as voter ID. A bill indicating that the student has already paid for utilities is acceptable.