Ohio’s Nov. 7 election is coming up quickly, and the routine shuffling of districts, polling places and election regulations can leave voters looking for resources.
On Nov. 7, Ohioans will vote on Issue 1, an initiative to amend the Ohio Constitution to protect reproductive rights in the state, and Issue 2, an initiative to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana.
Cincinnati residents will vote on a number of local issues, including Issue 22, a proposal for the City of Cincinnati to sell the Cincinnati Southern Railway to Norfolk Southern; 10 Cincinnati City Council candidates (only one a non-incumbent); and Issue 24, an amendment to the city’s charter that would raise the city’s income tax and allow that additional money to go to affordable housing.
Registering to vote
To cast a ballot on Nov. 7, Ohio voters must have registered by Oct. 10, or at least 30 days prior to the election. Voters may confirm their registration at voteohio.gov or at a county board of elections office. Ohioans can register to vote in future elections at the same URL.
Qualifying to vote
To vote in the Buckeye State on Nov. 7, Ohioans must be at least 18 years old on or before the election, have been an Ohio resident for at least 30 days before the election, have a state driver’s license or identification card and have a Social Security Number (only U.S. citizens may vote). People who have been incarcerated for a felony must re-register to vote. A full list of qualifications is available on the Secretary of State’s website, ohiosos.gov.
Voting early by mail or in person
Registered voters may cast early ballots at their county board of elections office by Nov. 5 or by mail (absentee voting) through Nov. 6.
To vote by mail, qualified voters must request an absentee ballot by 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 31. Completed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 6, and the county election board must receive them by mail before Nov. 13. Voters also can drop off absentee ballots in person to their county election board by 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7.
Ohioans also can vote in person prior to election day at their county election board. In Hamilton County, the BOE is located at 4700 Smith Road and offers extended and weekend hours leading up to the Nov. 7 election. Find more information about voting in Hamilton County at votehamiltoncountyohio.gov, and find information for voting anywhere in Ohio at voteohio.gov.
Voting on election day
There are many polling sites throughout the county, but Ohioans must head to the one they’ve been assigned; find that in Hamilton County at votehamiltoncountyohio.gov or anywhere in the state at voteohio.gov. There are options for voters with disabilities or those who need other assistance.
Polls will be open for in-person voting 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. on Nov. 7. Anyone in line at 7:30 p.m. still will be able to cast a ballot no matter what time they end up in the voting booth.
Related
Breaking Down the “Parental Rights” Argument Against Ohio’s Abortion Amendment
What you need to bring
A controversial new law requires voters to present a valid ID to vote in person in Hamilton County. Acceptable forms of ID include:
- Ohio driver’s license
- State of Ohio ID card
- Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV
- U.S. passport or passport card
- U.S. military ID card
- Ohio National Guard ID card
- US Department of Veterans Affairs ID card
All photo IDs must have the following:
- An expiration date that has not passed
- A photograph of the voter
- The voter’s name, which must substantially conform to the voter’s name as it appears in the poll list or in the poll book.
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This article appears in Oct 4-17, 2023.