Ohio voter registration deadline next week
The deadline to register to vote in Ohio’s upcoming election is Oct. 11 and early voting begins Oct. 12.
Here’s a look at what you need to know to cast your ballot:
Am I registered to vote in Ohio?
Ohio residents can check whether they are registered to vote using the Ohio Secretary of State’s online voter registration searchat www.ohiosos.gov.
How can I register to vote in Ohio?
Ohioans can now register to vote and update their information using the state’s online voter registration system or by visiting their county board of elections in person. A list of the addresses for each county’s board of elections can be found on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.
In order to cast a ballot, Ohio residents must be registered by Oct. 11, thirty days before the general election is held.
To register, residents must meet these qualifications:
● Must be a U.S. citizen.
● Must be 18 years old or older on or before the Nov. 8 election.
● Must be an Ohio resident for at least 30 days prior to Election Day.
● Have not been declared incompetent for voting purposes by a probate court.
● Have not been permanently disenfranchised for violations of election laws.
Source: Ohio Secretary of State’s office
What form of ID do I need to register?
To register to vote, an Ohio resident must provide the ID number on their driver’s license or state ID card, their full name, date of birth, permanent address and the last four digits of their Social Security number.
When you vote, either in person at your board of elections office or on Election Day, you will be asked to verify your address with a driver’s license, state ID card, military ID, physical utility bill (no copies), bank statement or paycheck. A voter who lacks proper ID can cast a provisional ballot using the last four digits of their Social Security number. If a voter cast a provisional ballot and didn’t provide identification, they have up to seven days following the election to appear at their local board of elections and provide proof of their identity in order for their ballot to be counted.
Source: Ohio Secretary of State’s office
Can felons vote in Ohio?
Convicted felons can vote upon release from prison, including parole, probation or house arrest. They are not eligible to vote while incarcerated – except while awaiting trial. However, if the felony is related to election fraud, they are permanently banned from voting.
Source: ACLU of Ohio
How does absentee mail-in voting work in Ohio?
Ohio doesn’t require a reason to vote absentee by mail. Residents can request an absentee ballot from their county board of elections starting Oct. 12.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Saturday, Nov. 5, three days before the election, but voters can submit their application any time.
Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 7, and received by your county board of elections by Nov. 18. The U.S. Postal Service estimates that it may take two to five days for mailed ballots to be delivered to your board of elections.
You can also return an absentee ballot in-person to your county board of elections before polls close at 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
Source: Ohio Secretary of State’s office
How can I vote early in-person in Ohio?
Ohioans can cast their ballots prior to Election Day by visiting their county board of elections in person. Early inperson voting starts at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, and ends at 2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 7.
See below for the list of early in-person voting hours:
● Oct. 12-14: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
● Oct. 17-21: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
● Oct. 24-28: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
● Oct. 29: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
● Oct. 31: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
● Nov. 1-4: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
● Nov. 5: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
● Nov. 6: 1-5 p.m.
● Nov. 7: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Source: Ohio Secretary of State’s office
Ohio voting laws could change
There are two bills lawmakers may consider after Election Day that could impact future elections.
If Senate Bill 320 becomes law, voters would no longer be able to use utility bills, bank statements, paychecks and other non-traditional forms of ID to vote. Senate Bill 320, sponsored by state Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-huron, would require people voting in person to show a photo ID. Those voting by mail would need to provide the last four digits of their Social Security number and either the number or a photocopy of their Ohio driver’s license or state ID.
Another piece of legislation could do away with early in-person voting the Monday before Election Day.
House Bill 294, introduced by Rep. Bill Seitz, R-green Twp., would move those early in-person voting hours to another date and increase the cutoff for requesting an absentee ballot from three days before an election to 10, among a number of other proposed changes to the state’s election laws.