Ohio Voting Information: Everything You Need to Know Before Voting

Ohio Voting Information: Everything You Need to Know Before Voting

Ohio is a crucial swing state in the upcoming US presidential elections, with 18 electoral votes up for grabs. Every eligible citizen of Ohio needs to understand the voting process and requirements to ensure their vote counts. This blog post aims to provide all the necessary information Ohioans need to know before casting their ballot.

Registering to Vote in Ohio

To participate in the elections, you need to be a registered voter in Ohio. The deadline to register for the November 3 general election is October 5. You can register online, by mail, or in person.

To register online, visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s website and complete the online voter registration form. To register by mail, download the registration form from the same website, fill it out, and mail it to the county board of elections. To register in person, visit your county board of elections or any Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) location.

Eligibility Criteria to Vote in Ohio

To be eligible to vote in Ohio, you must:

– Be a US citizen
– Be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day
– Be an Ohio resident for at least 30 days
– Not currently be incarcerated for a felony conviction
– Have not been declared incompetent by a court of law

Voting Options in Ohio

Ohio offers several voting options to make it easier for eligible citizens to cast their ballot.

Early Voting

Early voting in Ohio begins on October 6 and runs until November 2. Registered voters can vote in person at their county board of elections during this period. Check your county board of elections’ website for early voting hours and locations.

Absentee Voting

Registered voters can request an absentee ballot to vote by mail. You can request an absentee ballot online, by mail, or in person. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 31. Once you receive your absentee ballot, fill it out and return it by mail or in-person to your county board of elections. Absentee ballots must be postmarked by November 2 or returned in person by November 3.

Early In-Person Voting

Ohio also allows registered voters to vote in person at their county board of elections from October 6 to November 2.

Voting on Election Day

Registered voters can also cast their ballots in person on Election Day, November 3. Polling locations will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Check your county board of elections’ website to find your polling location.

COVID-19 Precautions

Ohio is taking necessary precautions in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Polling locations will follow social distancing guidelines and provide personal protective equipment to voters and poll workers. Registered voters can also request an absentee ballot if they feel it’s safer to vote by mail.

Summary

Every eligible citizen in Ohio needs to participate in the upcoming elections to ensure their voice is heard. Register to vote by October 5 and choose the voting option that works best for you. Ohio offers early voting, absentee voting, early in-person voting, and voting on Election Day. Observe necessary COVID-19 precautions while voting in person. Together, we can make a difference.