So you're registered to vote (well done), but now you're not sure if you have the right form of identification you'll need to cast your ballot on March 19. Or you're not sure who to call if you run into issues on election day. Odds are you aren't alone -- there are probably lots of people just like you with last minute election questions. So we've compiled some of the most common ones.
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--> What should I do if I don’t have a photo I.D.?
If you don't have a valid photo ID, voting by mail is probably the best option for you. Voting by mail allows voters to provide a mailing address and the last 4 digits of their social in order to vote by mail. OR you can contact VoteRiders, who will help you obtain an I.D.
--> How can I find the closest dropbox?
Absentee ballots can be returned at your county board of elections (NOT your neighborhood polling place). Find your drop box location here. And place your completed absentee ballot in the drop box by 7:30 pm on Election Day.
--> Can someone else drop off my absentee ballot?
In Ohio only close relatives may legally put your absentee ballot in a ballot drop box. In Ohio Revised Code, Section 3509.05 a close relative is defined as "the spouse of the elector, the father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, grandfather, grandmother, brother, or sister of the whole or half blood, or the son, daughter, adopting parent, adopted child, stepparent, stepchild, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of the elector."
-->Can I vote if I have been convicted of a crime?
If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor, you have the right to vote, even if you are incarcerated. If you have been arrested for a felony but have not been convicted, you still have the right to vote. And if you are on parole or probation, live in a halfway house, or are on house arrest, you have the right to vote. Once you are out of jail or prison for a felony conviction, you must re-register to vote, even if you were previously registered. The only time you may not vote is if you are currently incarcerated on a felony conviction. But, you re-gain the right to vote once you are released. Just re-register at voteohio.gov.
-->How can I get a ride to the polls?
RideShare2Vote can give you a free ride. And sometimes there are local initiatives to get people to the polls (like Souls to the Polls) -- ask around!
How can I see what’s going to be on my ballot?
Most local boards of elections websites have sample ballots that you can review ahead of time. You can also go to Ballotpedia and put your address into their Sample Ballot Lookup Tool to get a detailed breakdown of the offices and issues that will appear on your ballot.
-->I showed up at my polling place at 7:30pm. Can I still vote?
If you are in line at your polling place by 7:30pm, stay in line — you have the right to vote! If you get in line by 7:30pm and any poll workers try to turn you away, call or text 866-OUR-VOTE and a trained volunteer can help you report and resolve it.
-->How much postage do I need to put on my ballot?
Postage may vary according to the number of races on your local ballot (longer ballot = heavier envelope). Check the instructions included with your ballot or contact your county board of elections to determine proper postage. You can buy postage at your local post office and oftentimes grocery and drug stores.
-->Can I track my ballot?
You can track your ballot from the moment you request it until it’s received by your county board of elections. Once your ballot is received, it is securely stored until it is counted.
-->What are the voting guidelines for college students?
If you’re entering or currently attending college...
Guidelines for Voting in Your Hometown Election
Though you may be living on or near campus during the school year, you can participate in your hometown elections even from out of state. You can do so by maintaining your permanent home address as your voting residence and casting your ballot by:
Requesting an absentee ballot from your county board of elections and voting by mail (click here for more information about absentee voting);
Voting in person in the 28 days before a primary or general election at your home county board of elections if you won’t be at home on Election Day;
Or, if you will be at home on Election Day, going to your assigned polling location for your home precinct.
Plan ahead before you go away to school. You can request your absentee ballot NOW from your hometown county board of elections to vote.
Voting from Your Campus Address
You may be able to vote from your campus address. Please review the residency requirements for voter registration or contact your county board of elections to discuss your specific circumstances.
If you are eligible and choose to vote in the election from your campus community, you must fill out a new voter registration form at least 30 days prior to the election using your campus address. This will cancel your hometown registration as you can only vote once in any given election.
If you’re leaving college...
If you are moving out due to graduation (congrats!) or other factors, make sure you take a couple of minutes to update your voter registration. This will ensure you can vote with ease in the next election.
Simply choose your option below based upon your plans.
Have a question that didn’t get answered here? Contact your local board of elections.
[Sources: Ohio Voter Rights Coalition and Ohio Secretary of State]
