Register to Vote
2006 Registration Deadlines
- April 3rd - for the May 2nd primary election
- April 29th - for requests by mail for absentee ballots for the May 2nd primary election
- October 10th - for the November 7th general election
- November 4th - for requests by mail for absentee ballots for the November 7th general election
Who Should Register
You should register if you have never registered or voted in Ohio before. You should update your registration if you have moved since your last registration or since you last cast a vote in an Ohio election.
Who May Register
To Register You Must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be at least 18 years old on or before election day
- Be a resident of Ohio for 30 or more days immediately before election day
- Not be incarcerated for a felony at the time you register
- Not have been declared incompetent to vote by a court
How To Register
In Person
You may register in person at your county Board of Elections (see list on this page), any Bureau of Motor Vehicles location, public libraries, public and vocational schools, your county treasurer’s office, and at offices of designated agencies that provide public assistance or disability programs.
By Mail
The quickest way to register by mail is to download the National Voter Registration ApplicationPDF. You do not need to complete Box 7 or Box 8. For Box 6, use your Social Security number or driver’s license number. If you have neither, write “None” in Box 6. Detailed Ohio-specific instructions appear on page 20 of the form. Mail the completed form to your county Board of Elections or the Ohio Secretary of State.
Disabled Voters
Hearing-impaired individuals may call TTY (614) 466-0562 for information on how to register or cast a ballot. On Election Day, poll workers are available at precinct polling places to assist those with physical or mental disabilities or those who are unable to read or write.
Absentee Voting
Due to recent changes in Ohio election law, a qualified Ohio voter does not need to state a reason to request an absentee ballot, although the ballot must be applied for in writing. You may use an absentee ballot application which you can obtain by calling or visiting your county Board of Elections or by downloading the application from the Board of Elections or Secretary of State websites (above). You may also apply for an absentee ballot by submitting to your county Board of Elections a written request that contains the following information:
- Your name
- Your signature
- The address at which you are registered to vote
- Your date of birth
- One of the following:
- Your driver’s license number, or
- The last four digits of your social security number, or
- A copy of your current and valid photo identification or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address
- A statement identifying the election for which absentee voter’s ballots are requested
- A statement that you are a qualified elector
- If the request is for a primary election ballot, your political party affiliation
- If you want the ballots to be mailed, the address to which you want them mailed
If you are on active duty with the Ohio Air National Guard, Ohio Army National Guard, Ohio Naval Militia and Ohio Military Reserve you must apply for an absentee ballot as outlined above for regular absentee voters. However, you may request that your absentee ballot be faxed. In addition, your spouse, father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, grandfather, grandmother, brother or sister (whole blood or half blood), son, daughter, adopting parent, adopted child, stepparent, stepchild, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece may apply for an absentee ballot on your behalf by completing a special application form, which can be obtained at your county Board of Elections or at the Secretary of State’s website.
ID Required for Voters
Effective June 1, 2006, Ohio Election Law requires all voters to bring identification to the polls in order to verify identity. Identification may include a current and valid photo or military identification, a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows the voter’s name and current address.
Voters who do not provide one of these documents will be able to vote by provisional ballot by providing the last for digits of his/her Social Security number. If a Social Security number is not available, the voter will be permitted to vote by provisional ballot by signing an affirmation swearing to his/her identity.
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