Sidebar: What You Need to Know to Vote This Year

By Eye On Ohio Staff

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

How to register to vote: You can register online here:https://olvr.ohiosos.gov/ You can also download an application, print it, and mail it to your county board of elections.

When to register to vote: To vote in the Nov. 3 election, your application must be received by mail, or delivered to the board of elections office, or online no later than Monday, Oct. 5. Boards of elections are open Oct. 5 until 9 p.m.

Who can register to vote: U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old on or before the next general election, and a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days before the election.

Should I check my voter registration?: Yes. You can do so here:https://voterlookup.ohiosos.gov/voterlookup.aspx

Documents needed to register online: Ohio driver’s license or state ID with number; name; date of birth; address; last four digits of your Social Security number.

How to request an absentee ballot: If you choose not to vote at a public polling location on election day, you can request a ballot in advance – called absentee voting. The Ohio Secretary of State will mail applications to every registered voter, which can be completed and returned, or voters can print the form from the Secretary of State website:https://www.ohiosos.gov/publications/#abr Additionally, some Ohio newspapers have printed the form in the daily paper so voters can cut it out, complete it and mail it in.

When to request an absentee ballot: You can request an absentee ballot 90 days before an election, which this year is Aug. 5. The window to request is open until THREE days before the election but in practicality that deadline leaves little time for the postal service to get the ballot to you and for you to return it.

When and how to return an absentee ballot: Your completed ballot must be postmarked – at the latest — the day before the election. Placing the ballot in a mailbox does not guarantee that it will be post marked. Deliver it personally to a post office and request that it be marked. It’s your responsibility to make sure it has enough postage. Alternatively, you can drop it off in person at your county board of elections during business hours and before the polls close at 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. You don’t have to wait until Election Day to deliver.

Can I track my absentee ballot?: Yes. Check out the voter toolkit here:https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/toolkit/

How, where and when to vote early in-person: Early in-person voting centers, set up by the county board of elections, open Oct. 6, or 28 days before Election Day. You’ll need identification, such as a driver’s license, bank statement, utility bill, pay stub, military or state ID to vote. And depending on public health orders, you may need a face mask.

How to be a poll worker: Ohio relies on 35,000 registered voters to work the polls on Election Day. Because many poll workers are of retirement age, they face increased health risks due to Covid 19. There is high interest in expanding the hiring pool to include younger people. Poll workers receive training. Pay varies by county. You can sign up here: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/precinct-election-officials/peosignup/

Clermont County Board of Elections Web Site

Hamilton County Board of Elections Web Site

Warren County Board of Elections Web Site

Ohio Secretary of State Web Site

Republished with the permission of the Ohio Center for Investigative Journalism and Eye On Ohio.

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