Early voting starts today in Ohio
Early voting begins today in races that could change how schools are run, court cases are decided and who represents Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Across Ohio, voters will decide two congressional races, 1,527 local questions and issues and who wins spots representing all of Ohio’s 1,308 townships and 925 villages and cities. Many school board positions and several municipal courts have candidates on the ballot as well.
In central Ohio, voters are picking a replacement for U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers who left Congress to lead the Ohio Chamber of Commerce earlier this year.
Columbus residents will also vote on Issue 7, a “green energy” initiative from a secretive limited liability company that Columbus officials and environmental activists are hoping voters reject.
Here’s what you need to know to participate.
When can I vote in person?
You can vote early at your county board of elections or early voting site during these hours:
h 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 5-8; Oct. 12-15; and Oct. 18-22. There is no voting on Columbus Day, Oct. 11.
h 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 25-29
h 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 30
h 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 31
h 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 1 Election Day is Nov. 2. Polling locations will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Anyone in line to vote when the polls close will be allowed to vote.
How can I vote via the mail?
If you want to vote by mail, you must request a ballot, which can be done one of three ways.
h Fill out an application online at voteohio.gov, print that application and mail it to your county board of elections.
h Call your board of elections and request that an application be mailed to you.
h Make your own application by writing: “I’m a qualified elector and I’m requesting an absentee ballot for the Nov. 2, 2021 election.” You must include information such as your full name, date of birth, county and address where you are registered to vote. A full list is available online at voteohio.gov.
The Ohio secretary of state’s office will not mail out unsolicited applications to registered voters; that only happens in even years.
Once you have received your ballot and filled it out, you can mail it to your county board of elections by Nov. 1 or drop it off at your county board of elections through 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 – either inside the building or in a dropbox.
You can track your ballot online at voteohio.gov.
Can I vote if I’m not registered?
No. If you are not registered to vote at your current address, you cannot vote in this election. Check if you are registered at voteohio.gov.
To register for the next election, you can register to vote online or at your county board of elections.
I’m getting a lot of mailers about the 15th Congressional District. Can I vote in that election?
Residents of the 15th Congressional District can vote in the matchup between Republican lobbyist Mike Carey and Democratic state Rep. Allison Russo.
The 15th congressional district includes portions of Franklin County, including portions of Upper Arlington, Grove City, Grandview Heights and German Village. The district also includes Madison, Pickaway and Fairfield counties before stretching to Athens County in southeastern Ohio.
You can check whether you live in that district at voteohio.gov.
How can I contact my county board of elections?
Franklin County: 1700 Morse Road, Columbus, Ohio 43229
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 182111, Columbus, Ohio 43218-2111 Telephone: (614) 525-3100
Fax: (614) 525-3489
Email: franklin@ohiosos.gov
Delaware County: 2079 U.S. 23 North, Delaware, Ohio 43015
Mailing Address: PO Box 8006, Delaware, Ohio 43015-8006 Telephone: (740) 833-2080
Fax: (740) 833-2079
Email: Boe@delawarecountyohio.gov
Fairfield County: 951 Liberty Drive, Lancaster, Ohio 43130 Telephone: (740) 652-7000 or (614) 322-5270
Fax: (740) 681-4727
Email: info@fairfieldcountyelections.gov
Licking County: Don Hill Administration Building, 20 S. Second St., Newark, Ohio 43055 Telephone: (740) 670-5080
Fax: (740) 670-5081
Email: Licking@ohiosos.gov
Madison County: 1423 Ohio 38 SE, London, Ohio 43140 Telephone: (740) 852-9424
Fax: (740) 852-7131
Email: madison@ohiosos.gov
Pickaway County: 141 W. Main St., Suite 800, Circleville, Ohio 43113 Telephone: (740) 474-1100
Fax: (740) 477-2991
Email: pickaway@ohiosos.gov
Union County: 835 East Fifth St., Suite A, Marysville, OH 43040 Telephone: (937) 642-2836
Fax: (937) 642-2823
Email: union@ohiosos.gov
Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Akron Beacon Journal, Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.