Everything you need to know to vote and make your voice heard this election
Republicans continue to make it harder to vote in Ohio and across the country, and it’s time to fight back. Here is how to make sure you and your friends are registered to vote, and to vote early before Election Day.
First, head on over to IWillVote.com/OH — take a few minutes to check your registration.
You must be registered to vote by Tuesday, Oct. 9. In order to register to vote in Ohio, you must be a citizen of the United States, be at least 18 years old on or before the day of the general election, and be a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days immediately before Election Day, Nov. 6. Also, it’s important to note, you can also vote if you’ve previously been convicted of a felony.
Once you’re registered before the Oct. 9 deadline, you can vote early and don’t have to worry about getting out of work or lines on Election Day.
Early voting opens on Wednesday, Oct. 10. You can vote early at your early vote center, usually your county board of elections. Early voting is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 10 to Oct. 26, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat. Oct. 27, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29 through Friday, Nov. 2, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 5.
You can confirm your early voting location at iwillvote.com.
On Election Day, the polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Ohio accepts a wide variety of documents for voter ID purposes: A driver’s license or state ID card with your name and photo, issued by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The card must be current, but it can have an old address; a U.S. Military ID; a government ID with your name, current address and photo (Note that student ID usually does not meet ID requirements).
You can also use an original or copy of one of the following current documents that shows your name and current address: utility bill (including cell phone bill), bank statement, pay stub, or a government check or other government document.
Bills, bank statements and other documents must be dated within one year prior to Election Day to be accepted as current. If you do not have any of the above and are voting on Election Day, you may use the last four digits of your Social Security number, but you will have to vote a provisional ballot.
You have the right to vote early in person. Any eligible voter can vote in person at your county’s early voting site starting on Wednesday, Oct. 10. You only need the last four digits of your Social Security number or your driver’s license number. Visit ohiodems.org/vote for more information.
You have the right to vote early by mail. You do not need a reason to vote absentee in Ohio; any registered voter can vote by mail. You can request your ballot NOW. Your request must be received by your county board of elections by noon on Saturday, Nov. 3. You can return your absentee ballot by mail; it must be postmarked by Monday, Nov. 5. You can also return your absentee ballot in person to your county board of elections no later than 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
You have the right to vote free from harassment or influence. You are entitled to a polling place free from solicitation, intimidation, harassment, confusion, obstruction and undue influence, use of violence, force or threats or action that impedes your entrance or exit to the polling place. You can wear candidate buttons or t-shirts on your way to the polls, but you should be prepared to cover or remove your gear when entering the polling place.
You have the right to vote privately. If you are a parent, you can bring your child with you into the voting booth. If you have a visual impairment, you have the right to vote privately by audio ballot.
You have the right to vote if you are standing in line when the polls close. If you are in line at the polling place by 7:30 p.m., you have the right to vote.
You have the right to vote if you have moved recently. You can vote in Ohio if you are a resident for at least 30 days before Election Day, Nov. 6. Please visit IWillVote.com/OH to get registered before the deadline on Tuesday, Oct. 9. After the registration deadline if you have not updated your address, you can still vote early in person or on Election Day by provisional ballot and update your address at the same time.
You have the right to vote if your name is missing. If your name is not on the voter list at the location where you go to vote, you have the right to assistance in determining where you should be voting. If you are in the right location for your current address, don’t leave without voting a provisional ballot. If you are in the wrong location, you should go to the correct location for your address.
You have the right to vote if you are a returning citizen. If you have been convicted of a felony, but you are not currently incarcerated for a felony you can re-register and vote. You have the right to assistance if you have a physical disability or are illiterate.
If you require assistance because of a physical impairment or illiteracy, you can receive assistance from a person of your choosing, except for a candidate, your employer or an agent of your employer or an agent of your union. You may also request two pollworkers of different political parties assist you. You also have the right to vote in an accessible location, and if you have a visual impairment, you have the right to vote privately by audio ballot.
IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE AT THE POLLS, CALL 1-833-DEM-VOTE
If you need more information, text OHIO to 909–75, and we’ll send you important reminders about voting in the state of Ohio!
Paid for by the Ohio Democratic Party.
