Ohio Voting Requirements & Information
U.S. Vote Foundation’s Ohio Voting Requirements and Information directory informs you of Ohio voting rules and options. It focuses on Ohio-specific voting guidelines and information for all voters, including domestic, overseas, and military voters. Here you can find out about Ohio voter eligibility, voter ID requirements, registration, absentee and early voting options, ways to transmit voting documents and links to specific-Ohio voting tools. It's an all-in-one Ohio voting resource.
Upcoming Election Dates & Deadlines
Ohio Local Elections
Tue May 6, 2025 - Ohio Local Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
Postmarked byMon Apr 7, 2025
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
- In-Person, Received by
Tue Apr 29, 2025 - Request for Postal Ballot by
Tue Apr 29, 2025
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
- Postmarked by
Mon May 5, 2025 - Received in Dropbox by
Tue May 6, 2025 7:30PM - Post Received by
Sat May 10, 2025
Early Voting Available
In-person Absentee VotingFrom Tue Apr 8, 2025 to Sun May 4, 2025
General Information
Registration
You can register to vote or update your registration information:
- by mail
- in person at your elections office
- on-line
- at Bureau of Motor Vehicles
- at public assistance agencies
- at public schools and colleges
- at public libraries
You must have resided in Ohio at least 30 days prior to the election in which you intend to vote.
Election Day Voting
Polling places are open from 6:30am to 7:30pm on Election Day.
Find my polling place
Early Voting
Any voter may choose to vote prior to Election Day by requesting and voting by absentee ballot at your county board of elections office or designated voting center.
For specific information including times and locations for early in-person absentee voting, contact the local board of elections.
Absentee Voting
Ohio allows any registered voter to request an absentee ballot and vote by mail. The voter or the voter's family member may return the ballot.
You will now need to add postage to your envelope if you return your completed ballot by mail. One secure voter drop box will be available in each county if you'd like to drop your ballot off without adding postage.
Please visit the US Vote Disability Voting Guide to see accommodations for the registration and voting process.
Eligibility Requirements
You are eligible to vote in Ohio if you:
- Are a U.S. citizen
- at 17 years of age provided you will be 18 by the next general election.
- Have been a state resident for at least 30 days prior to the election
You are NOT eligible to vote in Ohio if:
- You have been permanently disenfranchised for violating the election laws
- You are incarcerated (in prison or jail) for a felony conviction under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States
- You were disqualified from voting due to a court order
Restorative Requirements
- If you have completed a felony prison sentence, even if you are still on parole or probation, then you are immediately eligible to register to vote.
You are able to pre-register:
- if you will be 18 by Election Day
If you will be 18 on or before the general election, you may vote in the primary election to nominate candidates, but you cannot vote on issues or party central committees until you are 18
If you are a student, you are eligible to vote in Ohio if:
- Ohio does not accept student ID; refer to Ohio Identification Requirements section
- You reside in Ohio but are attending college in another state
- You reside in another state but attend college in Ohio
Identification Requirements
Voter Registration
To register to vote in Ohio you should provide one of the following:
- Your Ohio Driver's License Number
- Your Ohio ID Number
- Last Four Digits of your Social Security Number
Voting In-Person
In Ohio, you need to show a current, valid ID to vote. Your ID must include your name (which must substantially conform to your name as it appears in the poll list), photo, address, and expiration date that has not passed. You may use ID from this list:
- Valid Ohio Driver's License
- Ohio ID Card
- ID Issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- Valid US Passport
- Valid Military ID
- Any Valid ID Issued by US Department of Veterans Affairs
If you are 17 or older, you are eligible to get a free state ID to use for voting. County issued veteran IDs and student IDs will no longer be accepted.
A voter who is completing an absentee ballot application or an identification envelope must provide one of the following forms of ID:
- Valid Ohio Driver's License
- Ohio ID Card
- ID Issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- Valid Military ID
- Valid US Passport
- Your Ohio Driver's License Number
- Last Four Digits of your Social Security Number
Voter Materials Transmission Options
Domestic Voter |
In-Person |
|
Fax |
|
Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voter Registration | |||||
| Absentee Ballot Request | |||||
| Blank Ballot To Voter | |||||
| Voted-Absentee Ballot Return |