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Tagged In: Absentee Voting, Early Voting, Election Day, Get Out the Vote, Ohio, Plan to Vote, Vote, Vote By Mail, Voter Registration, Voter Rights

2024 Election Resources

Ohio Environmental Council, January 19, 2024

Our commitment to democracy is more important than ever. In order to protect all Ohioans’ right to clean air, water, and lands, we must fight to safeguard our democracy and empower every individual to vote and make their voices heard on the ballot.

Here’s the information you need to know to vote in the 2024 Primary, Special, and General Elections. For additional information, we encourage you to visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s website: https://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/voters/

REMINDER: New Voter ID Requirements: Know Your Voter IDs!

The Ohio General Assembly passed HB 458 in 2022, which changed what forms of identification you can use when you vote in Ohio. When voting in-person, you must have a valid photo ID. If you vote by mail, you may use the last four digits of your social security number. Bank statements, utility bills, and other similar documents may no longer be used to vote.

In addition, some early voting and absentee ballot timelines have changed as a result of HB 458. Make sure you double-check all voting schedules to ensure you know when you should vote, because it may have changed from when you voted last time!

Requirements to vote in Ohio separated by in-person and mail voting. | OVRC

Register to Vote + Check Your Voter Registration

Is this the first time you’ve voted in Ohio? Thank you for engaging in this important process! Click here to register to vote.

Have you recently moved or changed your name? You will need to update your voter registration in order to participate in the upcoming election. Click here to update your voter registration.

Every Ohioan should regularly confirm that they are properly registered to vote. Click here to check your Voter Registration Status and to find your voting location.

You must register to vote no later than 30 days prior to an election.

For the March 2024 Primary Election, you must register to vote by Tuesday, February 20.
For the November 2024 General Election, you must register to vote by Monday, October 7.

You may update your registration within 30 days of Election Day if you’ve moved to a new location within Ohio, however you may end up needing to vote provisionally. We recommend updating your registration at least 30 days before Election Day.

As an Ohio voter, you currently have three options to vote: (1) vote at home by mail, (2) vote early in-person at your local county Board of Elections, or (3) vote in-person on Election Day.

Flow chart of all scenarios for voting in Ohio based on individuals circumstances. | OVRC

Make Your Plan to Vote

Vote by Mail

All Ohio voters have the opportunity to vote in any election from the safety and convenience of their own home by requesting an absentee ballot. Here’s how to vote by mail:

1. Fill out your application to vote by mail. You can print the application today (click here for English or click here for Spanish).

2. Once you have completed your application by providing all of the required information, print and sign it. You MUST request an absentee ballot seven days before the election:

Upcoming Election:
- For the March 19, 2024 Primary Election, your county Board of Elections must receive your request for an absentee ballot by 8:30pm on Tuesday, March 12.
- For the November 5, 2024 General Election, your county Board of Elections must receive your request for an absentee ballot by 8:30pm on Tuesday, October 29.

3. Mail the vote by mail application back to your local county Board of Elections (BOE). Click here to find your county BOE.

4. Wait to receive your ballot in the mail from your county BOE. If you have questions about your absentee ballot request, you should call your county BOE or you can track the status of your ballot request as well as your voted absentee ballot through the Track My Ballot feature on the Secretary of State’s website.

5. Fill out your ballot and return it to your local county BOE ahead of Election Day. You can send it by U.S. Mail (be sure to add the right postage amount—some ballots may require two stamps) or deliver it in person to your county BOE.

Upcoming Election:

For the March 2024 Primary Election, the return envelope containing your marked ballot must either be received by your county BOE prior to 7:30 PM on Election Day -or- it must be postmarked no later than March 18, 2024 and received by the board of elections no later than four days after the election—by March 23, 2024.
For the November 2024 General Election, the return envelope containing your marked ballot must either be received by your county BOE prior to 7:30 PM on Election Day -or- it must be postmarked no later than November 4, 2024 and received by the board of elections no later than four days after the election—by November 9, 2024.

According to the Secretary of State, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) estimates that it may take two to five days for your voted absentee ballot to be delivered to your board of elections by mail. If you are returning your voted ballot during the week before Election Day, you should take it to USPS no later than the day before Election Day and ensure it receives a postmark to be counted.

Vote Early In-Person

All registered voters may vote early in person at their county board of elections (BOE) or early voting center as designated by the county.

Upcoming Election:

For the March 2024 Primary Election, early voting starts on Wednesday, February 21 and runs through Sunday, March 17.
For the November 2024 General Election, early voting starts on Tuesday, October 8 and runs through Sunday, November 3.

Click here to find your county BOE. And click here for the current voting schedule.
If you’re voting in-person, be sure to bring a proper form of identification. Additionally, you can view a sample ballot before heading to your polling place to cast your ballot.

Vote on Election Day In-Person

On Election Day, 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.

Upcoming Election:

The March 2024 Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, March 19.
The November 2024 General Election will take place on Tuesday, November 5.

If you’re voting in-person, be sure to bring a proper form of identification. Additionally, you can view a sample ballot before heading to your polling place to cast your ballot.

If you do not know where your designated precinct or polling place is located, please contact your county board of elections or click here to search for your polling place online.

Thank you for being a voter! All Ohioans share the responsibility of exercising their right to vote and holding our elected officials accountable for the decisions they make that impact our communities and our environment.