Voting By Mail

How to Apply for an Absentee Ballot in Ohio (from Common Cause Ohio)

In this time of COVID, many people will prefer to vote by mail to avoid long lines and possible exposures. DO NOT WAIT until the last minute to request an absentee ballot.
As we saw in the March primary election, there will be a rush of last-minute ballot requests. Last-minute requests may not get processed in time. To request a mail-in ballot for the November election, you need to complete an Absentee Ballot Request form. There are several ways to do this:

CALL.Call your county Board of Elections and have them send you an absentee ballot application. Once it arrives, sign and date the form, and mail it back in. You can buy a stamp at a grocery store, or at the post office. It’s easy!

PRINT.Fill out this absentee ballot request form online at https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/absentee-voting-by-mail/, print, sign, date, and mail it to your county Board of Elections. Don’t forget the stamp!

WRITE.If you don’t have a printer, you can write out all the information needed on any piece of paper and mail it to your county Board of Elections. Include the following information:

  • Your name;
  • Your legal signature;
  • The address at which you are registered to vote;
  • Your date of birth;
  • One of the following items showing proof of your identification:
  • Your Ohio driver’s license number (begins with two letters followed by six numbers);
    • The last four digits of your Social Security number; or
    • A copy of a current and valid photo identification, a military identification, or a current (within the last 12 months) utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document (other than a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections) that shows the voter’s name and current address.
    • A statement identifying the election for which you are requesting an absentee ballot;
    • A statement that you are a qualified elector;
    • If the request is for a partisan primary election ballot, your political party affiliation; and
    • If you want the ballot to be mailed to a different address than where you are registered, the address to which you want it mailed.

WALK IN. Complete the absentee application form in person at your County Board of Elections.

Once you have sent in your absentee application and it has been received at the BOE, you can track your ballot online. If you don’t see a record of the application being received, call your county Board of Elections and ask what’s going on.

Remember, this is just the application.
In October, your county board of elections will mail you your actual ballot.
After you complete the ballot, mail it back with TWO STAMPS on the envelope.

GENERAL ELECTION GUIDELINES – 2020

Eligibility

You are qualified to vote if you meet these requirements:

  • If you are a citizen of the United States
  • If you will be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day (November 3)
  • If you will have been a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days before the election 
  • If you have not been declared incompetent to vote by a probate court
  • If you are not currently incarcerated for a felony in any state
  • If you have not permanently lost your voting rights due to a violation of election laws
  • If you have registered to vote at least 30 days before the election. 

Deadline to register to vote in 2020 election is October 5, 2020

If you are convicted of a crime, you still have the right to vote

  • If you are convicted of a misdemeanor, you have the right to vote, even if you are incarcerated
  • If you have been arrested for a felony but have not been convicted, you have the right to vote
  • If you have been convicted of a felony, you may NOT vote while incarcerated, but you MAY register to vote using your new address after you are released.
  • If you live in a halfway house, are on parole, probation, house arrest or any other sort of correctional control

Reference: www.acluohio.org/vote

Voter ID Requirements

All voters must present identification for in-person voting, photo ID is NOT required.  Any of the following forms of identification may be used as long as they show the name and address marching your voter registration:

  • A current and valid Ohio driver’s license (may show a prior address)
  • A current and valid photo ID card issued by the State of Ohio or U.S. Government
  • A military ID
  • An original or copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government check

GUIDELINES FOR ABSENTEE BALLOTS

  • Check your ballot envelope for enclosed information for the correct postage to return ballot by mail
  • Use BLACK or DARK BLUE INK to COMPLETELY SHADE IN THE OVALS NEXT TO THE CANDIDATE/ISSUE you wish to vote for.  DO NOT (✓) or (X) the ovals on your ballot – fill in oval carefully, without going outside the lines.  
  • If you choose to vote for a write-in candidate, complete the write-in section by shading the oval and writing the candidates name on the line.
  • COMPLETELY fill out the entire IDENTIFICATION ENVELOPE along with your normal SIGNATURE, do not stylize or formalize your regular signature.
  • INCLUDE CONTACT INFORMATION, i.e. email, or phone number, on ballot for Board of Elections in the event there is a question about your ballot.  Including this information allows them to personally contact you rather than mail you a letter that will delay counting your ballot.
  • Fold your voted ballot, and place inside the IDENTIFICATION ENVELOPE and seal.
  • Place the IDENTIFICATION ENVELOPE in the RETURN ENVELOPE and seal. 
  • BE SURE TO PUT CORRECT POSTAGE ON THE RETURN ENVELOPE.
  • Under Ohio law, YOUR BALLOT WILL NOT BE COUNTED IF THE IDENTIFICATION ENVELOPE IS NOT COMPLETED, SIGNED AND RETURNED WITH THE BALLOT SEALED INSDIE THE IDENTIFICATION ENVELOPE.

Your ballot must be RECEIVED by the Director of the Board of Elections no later than the close of the polls (7:30 p.m.) on Election Day to be counted on Election Day.

Ballots can be mailed, or hand delivered by the voter or a member of their immediate family.

Mailed ballots must be postmarked by November 2

Absentee ballots can be dropped off until 7:30 pm on Election Day at your Board of Elections, they will not be accepted at your polling location.

IF YOU REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT AND THEN  CHANGE YOUR PLANS AND GO TO YOUR POLLING LOCATION TO VOTE, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO VOTE A PROVISIONAL BALLOT WHICH WILL NOT BE COUNTED UNTIL 10 DAYS AFTER THE ELECTION.

Schedule for 2020 Election


Sept 18 Military & Overseas voting begins

Oct    5 Deadline to register voters

Oct    6 Early voting begins 8am-5pm Board of Elections & Absentee by mail begins

Oct 19 Early in-person hours 8am-6pm

Oct 26 Early in-person hours 8am-7pm

Oct 31 Early in-person hours 8am-4pm & Noon deadline to request absentee ballot

Nov 1 Early in-person 1pm-5pm

Nov 2 Early in-person 8am-2pm

Absentee ballot postmarks due 11/2

Nov 3 ELECTION DAY Polls Open 6:30 am until 7:30pm

Absentee ballot drop off until 7:30pm at Board of Elections