#VoterBlog: Plan Your Vote

October 1, 2024

Plan Your Vote

The November 5th general election is just 5 weeks away, and your path to a successful voting experience starts by planning and perparing now. Use this rundown to help #PlanYourVote.

Voter Registration: Must be completed by October 7, 2024, for the November 5th, 2024, General Election

Register to vote online

To register online, you'll need:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Ohio driver's license or Ohio identification card number
• Last 4 digits of your Social Security Card

You can register to vote online here

Register to vote by mail

To register by mail, you'll need:

One form of ID is required: Ohio driver's license number, Ohio ID card number, OR
Last four digits of Social Security Number

You can learn more about registering to vote in Ohio by mail here

Register to vote in-person

You may also personally deliver your voter registration form to a county Board of Election (BoE) or the Secretary of State (SOS)

Ways to Vote

Voting by Absentee Ballot

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is by the close of business on the 7th day before the election in which you want to vote.

Applications:

• Absentee ballot application (Form 11-A)
• Request to use remote ballot marking system (Form 11-G)
• Confined voter or voter with a personal illness, physical disability, or infirmity (Form 11-F)
• Medical emergency (Form 11-B)

Mailing your absentee ballot:

• Must be postmarked by the day before the Election (November 4, 2024)
• Must be received by the county BoE no later than 4 days after the Election (November 9, 2024)

Delivering your absentee ballot in person to your county BoE:

• You must return it to the drop box located outside of your county BoE before the close of the polls at 7:30PM on Election Day (November 5, 2024).
• An individual with a disability can receive assistance with returning their absentee ballot by a person of their choice. However, the Secretary of State recently issued a new directive which requires any individual assisting a voter with disability with the return of their absentee ballot to sign an attestation and return the absentee ballot inside of the office of the County Board of Election. (SOS Directive 2024-21).

Voting Early In-Person

Starting the day after the close of voter registration (October 8, 2024), registered voters may cast an early in-person ballot at their county BoE.

Voting in-person on Election Day

On Election Day, if you plan to vote in-person you must cast your ballot in your precinct at your designated polling place between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Assistance with marking your ballot:

If a voter cannot mark their ballot, or needs assistance due to a disability, a voter may receive assistance from 2 poll workers from opposite major political parties or anyone may help, except for the following: candidate whose name appears on the ballot, employer or employer's agent, officer, or agent of a union.

Curbside voting:

Ohio voters with disabilities can also vote curbside, if they are physically unable to enter their polling location. A voter may send another person into the polling location to inform poll workers of the voter's desire to vote curbside.

Tips to Help Plan Your Vote:

• Voters should submit their requests and ballot applications as far in advance of the election as possible.
• Voting by an absentee ballot is a great way for people to vote from their own homes. When possible, we encourage voters with disabilities who have an absentee ballot to use the mail to return their ballot, rather than the drop box at their county BoE.
• If you are needing assistance with returning your absentee ballot and are unable to mail it to the BoE, please make sure to plan ahead and arrive at your county BoE during office hours, as any individual assisting a voter with a disability with the return of their absentee ballot will need to go into the office of their county BoE to sign an attestation.
• If you are interested in early voting, you can check the early voting schedule here. Early voting is a great option if you have concerns about transportation for Election Day, a busy or unpredictable schedule, want to plan ahead to better ensure accessibility, etc.
• If you plan to vote in-person, either early or on Election Day, please check to see if you have acceptable ID to vote here.
• Voters with disabilities should make sure that their polling places are accessible before they vote on Election Day. Review the accessibility of your polling place by going to the parking area or bus stop, into the building and to the room where you will vote to ensure it is accessible.
• Polling locations can and do change. We encourage you to find your most updated polling place here.

Please contact DRO's Intake if you need assistance with voting.

DRO Intake can be reached:

• Web Intake Form
• Call us! 614-466-7264, choose Option 4, (Intake Hours: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM)

DRO operates a Voting Hotline on Election Day at 614-466-7264 from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM

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