OHIO VOTING GUIDE: VOTING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THE 2020 ELECTION
The information listed in this guide was released by the Ohio Secretary of State. For further information regarding the election and voting, please visit the Voter Toolkit.
Ohio’s fall election is fast-approaching, with the pandemic still in full swing. Election Day is scheduled for November 3, and the U.S. presidential race, all 16 Ohio congressional seats, and many other state races will be on the ballot.
Key dates to know for the fall election:
• General election voter registration deadline: Oct. 5, 2020• Early voting and mail-in voting begins: Oct. 6, 2020• Deadline to request absentee ballot: Oct. 31, 2020• Early voting and mail-in voting ends: Nov. 2, 2020• General election: Nov. 3, 2020
How Do I Register To Vote?
Make sure you’re registered to vote – or have updated your voter information – no later than 30 days before an election. The deadline to register for Ohio’s November election is Oct. 5, 2020.
For the general election, you can register to vote online through the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. To do so, you must provide your name, date of birth, address, driver’s license or Ohio ID card number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Alternatively, you can print out this paper form, fill it out and deliver it to your county board of elections. Find where that’s located here.
Absentee Voting
Many Ohioans will choose to cast their vote via absentee ballots this fall. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 31 at 12 p.m.
You can get an absentee ballot in the following ways:
1. Go online and print your own absentee ballot request form.2. Fill out the required information by hand on a blank sheet of paper.3. Call your local board of elections and ask them to send you a form. Find the information for your local board of elections here. 4. Or, if you’re one of 8 million Ohioans already registered to vote, you may receive an absentee ballot request form in the mail from the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office.
Whichever method you choose, you have to fill out and send the completed request form to your local board of elections, then wait for the board to mail back a ballot. Fill that ballot out and mail it back to your board of elections.
If you’re concerned about filling out your absentee ballot application correctly, put down your phone number or email address on the form. That way, if the county board of elections finds any problem with your application, they’re required to contact you through one of those means so it can be fixed.
To vote by mail, which is a secure and popular method of voting, your ballot must be postmarked by November 2, the day before the election. You also must attach your own postage.
Please note: You should mail your ballot as soon as possible.That back and forth could mean four trips through the mail, and the U.S. Postal Service estimates it may take between 2-5 days to deliver each way. You can track your ballot here. This spring election saw even longer delays, and many Ohioans had their votes invalidated because they arrived late.
Voting rights groups suggest mailing your ballot at least a week before Election Day. Your ballots can be received up to 10 days after the election to be counted.
Alternatively, you can drop off your absentee ballot in person at your county board of elections anytime before November 3 at 7:30 p.m. Each of Ohio’s 88 election boards has a secure drop box for turning in ballots and ballot requests.
In-Person Voting
This fall, all Ohio voters can again cast their ballot the old-fashioned way, in person.
The first opportunity is at an early voting center, beginning October 6. The schedule for early voting is set by the Secretary of State, and in every county except Lucas, Miami, and Summit, early voting happens at the county board elections.
In the first two weeks, early voters can vote at their county board on weekdays between 8 a.m.-5 p.m., but there is no early voting over the weekend for those weeks. In the final two weeks leading up to the Election Day, the voting hours are extended during the week, and the boards open for limited hours on the weekends.
The final day to vote early in person is Monday, Nov. 2. But keep in mind, voting wraps up early at 2 p.m.
Voting on Election Day will happen at polling locations based on where voters live. With COVID-19 looming, it’s possible some polling locations could move from where you’re accustomed. The Secretary of State’s Office has a website for looking up your polling location.
One big concern among election officials and voting rights advocates is a shortage of poll workers.
County boards and the Secretary of State are urging people to sign on, and some professional groups are weighing in, too. The Ohio Supreme Court is offering continuing legal education credit for lawyer who serve as poll workers.
Do I Need Voter ID?
Yes, but not necessarily a picture ID. First off, check here to make sure you’re registered to vote and your information is up-to-date.
To get an absentee ballot or cast your vote in person, Ohio law requires some form of acceptable identification, which includes:
• An unexpired Ohio driver’s license or state ID card with present or former address, as long as your present residential address is in the official list of registered voters for that precinct• A military ID• A photo ID issued by the United States government or the State of Ohio, that contains your name and current address, and that has not passed its expiration• An original or copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other document with your name and present address (“current” means in the last 12 months).
Check the entire list of acceptable IDs here.
If you’ve moved or changed your name, but didn’t update your voter registration by the deadline, you can still vote using a provisional ballot.