Kathy Meyer, director of the Allen County Board of Elections, covers ballot machines with plastic bags before sending them off to polling locations throughout the county in November 2018.
File photo | The Lima News
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Registering to vote, applying for an absentee ballot, voting early in-person…
You’re confused?
Below is everything you wanted to know about voting in Ohio but were afraid to ask.
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.
How do I register to vote? You can register online by visiting VoteOhio.gov. Or you can also download an application, print it and mail it to your county board of elections.
What if I have moved or changed my name? If you are registered and move within the state or same county or change your name you may request a registration form from the Board of Elections or the Secretary of State’s office by mail, telephone or in person. You may also complete a notice of change in voting status and file it with the court when you apply for a marriage license or when your name is changed by court order. Mailed forms sent to the Board of Elections or the Secretary of State’s office must be postmarked 30 days before an election to be valid for the election. All other registration forms must be received by the Board of Elections or any branch registration agency 30 days before an election to be valid for that election.
What documents are 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 soon do I need to register? To vote in the Nov. 3 election, you must be registered by Oct. 5.
How can I request an absentee ballot? Ohio law doesn’t allow for making the requests online or by email. You can find the application form here: https://www.ohiosos.gov/publications/#abr Print it, fill it out and mail it to your county board of elections. If you don’t have a printer, watch your mailbox — the Ohio Secretary of State will mail absentee ballot applications to all registered voters sometime around Labor Day.
When can I make that request? Anytime between now and Oct. 31. But officials warn that Ohio’s absentee ballot application deadline does not allow enough time for the U.S. Postal Service to carry the application to the board of elections, the ballots back to voters, and then the voted ballots back to the board. The advice is do not procrastinate.
Do I need a reason to vote absentee? No, not in Ohio.
When will the ballot be sent to me? Ballots will be mailed starting Oct. 6 when Ohio’s 28 days of early voting starts. The later you apply, the later it’ll arrive.
How will I return my voted ballot? Voted absentee ballots cannot be returned by email or FAX. They may be returned only by U.S. Postal Service or another delivery service such as UPS or FedEx, or in person. An absentee ballot must arrive at the board office by the close of polls on Election Day if delivered in person. An absentee ballot returned by mail shall be submitted for mailing not later than 12:01 a.m. on the date of the election at the place where the voter completes the ballot. It must arrive at the board of elections office on or before the 10th day after the election.
Do I have to pay for postage? Yes as of now. The state of Ohio is not providing postage-paid envelopes, although Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has proposed to the Ohio Legislature that the state pay postage.
Can I ask someone else to take my ballot to the board of elections? Only the voter or their immediate family can drop off ballots in Ohio.
Can I track my application and ballot? Yes. https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/toolkit/ballot-tracking/
What if I want to vote early in-person? Ohio has 28 days of early in-person voting at county boards of elections.
What are the early in-person voting hours and days? Oct. 6 to Oct. 9 and Oct. 12 to Oct. 16, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 19 to Oct. 23, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Oct. 24, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Oct. 25, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 26 to Oct. 30, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Nov. 1, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Nov. 2, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Will the polls be open for in-person voting on Election Day? Yes, polls will be open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3.
What identification do I need to vote early in-person or on Election Day? An unexpired drivers license or state ID card or mail such as a utility bill, paycheck, government check or bank statement showing your current address. Here is a full list of acceptable forms of ID: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/id-requirements/
What if I lost my ID? You can still vote a provisional ballot by providing your drivers license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Once the information is verified, your ballot will be counted.
How do I know where my polling location is located? It’s a good idea to check before you go since some locations have moved due to the pandemic. You can search for it here: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/toolkit/polling-location/
So, where, when and how do I get in touch with my local county board of elections?
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ALLEN COUNTY
Allen County Board of Elections
204 N. Main St.
Lima, Ohio 45801-4457
(First floor of the Third Court of Appeals building)
Phone: 419-223-8530
Email: allen@ohiosos.gov
Website: allen.boe.ohio.gov
Current hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (expanded hours closer to election)
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AUGLAIZE COUNTY
Auglaize County Board of Elections
209 S Blackhoof St., Room 205
Wapakoneta, Ohio 45895
Phone: 419-739-6720
Email: mwilcox@auglaizecounty-ohio.gov or auglaize@OhioSoS.gov
Website: www.boe.ohio.gov/auglaize/
Current hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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HARDIN COUNTY
Hardin County Board Of Elections
Hardin County Courthouse, One Courthouse Square, Suite 40
Kenton, Ohio 43326
Phone: 419-674-2211
Email: hardin@ohiosos.gov
Website: https://www.boe.ohio.gov/hardin/
Current hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (expanded hours closer to election)
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MERCER COUNTY
Mercer County Board of Elections
101 N. Main St., Suite 107 1st Floor
Celina, Ohio 45822
Phone: 419-586-2215
Email: mercer@ohiosos.gov
Website: elections.mercercountyohio.gov
Current hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (expanded hours closer to election)
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PUTNAM COUNTY
Putnam County Board of Elections
575 Ottawa-Glandorf Road, Suite 2
Ottawa, Ohio 45875
Phone: 419-538-6850
Email: putnam@OhioSoS.gov
Web site: boe.ohio.gov/putnam/
Current hours: 8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday (expanded hours closer to election)
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VAN WERT
Van Wert County Board of Elections
1362 E. Ervin Road
Van Wert, Ohio 45891
Telephone: 419-238-4192
Email: vanwert@ohiosos.gov
Website: boe.ohio.gov/vanwert/
Current hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (Expanded hours closer to election)
Source: Ohio Secretary of State; county websites.
