Election Advisory from Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted
Deadline to register to vote in Ohio’s May 7th Primary/Special Election is Monday.
Secretary of State Jon Husted announced that the deadline to register to vote for the May 7th Primary Election will be Monday April 8, 2013.
Register to Vote/Update Your Address
The deadline to register to vote in the May 7, 2013 Primary/Special Election is Monday, April 8, 2013 (30 days prior to the election). Voter registration forms are available at MyOhioVote.com or from local boards of elections and other designated agencies, such as libraries and BMVs.
Should voters have moved since the last election, they should also act now to update their voting address online at MyOhioVote.com. This should also be done by April 8 to ensure they can vote with ease on Election Day.
Check Your Registration
Not sure where to vote or if your voting address is up to date? Voters can now easily check their voter registration information, including voting address and polling location, online at MyOhioVote.com. The new online service, which previously had to be done using two separate online tools, is part of an ongoing effort by the Secretary to enhance the service available at MyOhioVote.com. The system is populated with information from county boards of elections. It is important to note that boards may make a last minute change to a person’s polling place that would not be reflected online, but voters would be notified by mail. Questions about information contained in the online system should be directed to the county boards of elections.
Election Ballot Issues
On May 7th voters in 74 counties will decide several local races and 354 local issues, including 141 school issues and a number of local tax levies, bond issues and charter amendments. A complete list of local issues appearing on the ballot is available here and at MyOhioVote.com.
In-Person Absentee Voting
In-person absentee voting began April 2, 2013, or 35 days before the election. For specific information including times and locations, contact your board of elections.
Absentee Voting by Mail
Boards of elections began mailing out absentee ballots on April 2, 2013, to voters who requested them. Voters have until Saturday, May 4th at noon to request an absentee ballot by mail and they may do so by contacting their county board of elections for more information, or by downloading an absentee ballot request form at MyOhioVote.com.
To cast an absentee ballot by mail, voters must complete, sign and seal their voted ballots, taking care to provide the required information, including proper identification. Voted ballots must be postmarked the day before Election Day and received no later than 10 days after the election (May 17, 2013). Absentee ballots may also be delivered in person to boards of elections no later than the close of the polls on Election Day. They may not be returned at polling locations.
Election Day Voting
Polls are open 6:30 am to 7:30 pm on Election Day. Voters choosing to head to the polls must remember to bring the proper form of ID and know their polling place and precinct. Voters can check their polling place and precinct and get other important voting information by visiting MyOhioVote.com.
Get Elections Updates and Ohio’s Virtual Voting Sticker
Ohio voters are encouraged to link with “OhioSOSHusted” on Facebook and Twitter to get elections information and updates throughout the year. Here they can also get a virtual voting sticker badge to let their friends and followers know they’ve participated in the election, whether they chose to cast their ballots by mail or in person. Facebook users simply need to “like” Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted’s official Facebook page to “wear” a virtual sticker on their wall. Twitter users may share their voting badge by visiting the Secretary of State’s website.
Vote in Honor of a Veteran
With Vote in Honor of a Veteran, voters may demonstrate the pride they feel for a veteran by dedicating their vote to them. By participating in this program Ohioans help raise awareness about the importance of voting and highlight the powerful bond between our veterans and democracy. For more information on how to participate in this program visit OhioMilitaryVotes.com
