Photo: Allison Babka
Voters can make their voices heard at the Hamilton County Board of Election as well as at other regional election boards.
Editor's note: This story is featured in the Nov. 2 print edition of CityBeat.
Ohio's Nov. 8 general election is coming up quickly, and the routine shuffling of districts, polling places and election regulations can leave voters looking for resources.
Registering to vote
To cast a ballot on Nov. 8, Ohio voters must have registered by Oct. 11, 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. Elections in 2023 include the May 2 primary and special election (register by April 3), the Aug. 8 special election (register by July 10) and the Nov. 7 general election (register by Oct. 9).
Qualifying to vote
To vote in the Buckeye State on Nov. 8, 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 had been incarcerated for a felony must re-register to vote. A full list of qualifications is available on the secretary of state website, ohiosos.gov.Voting early by mail or in person
Registered voters may cast early ballots at their county board of elections office or by mail (absentee voting) through Nov. 7, the day before the election.To vote by mail, qualified voters must request an absentee ballot by noon Nov. 5. Completed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 7, and the county election board must receive them by mail before Nov. 18. Voters also can drop off absentee ballots in person to their county election board by 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8.
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. 8 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. 8. 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.
Accepted identification
Ohio requires voters to show identification at the polls. For many voters, that means a state driver’s license or ID card. Items like utility bills and payroll checks may be used if they’re up to date. Most identification is required to show a voter’s current address, but those holding ID with a previous address still may be able to vote provisionally. Ohioans with concerns about voting can file complaints with the secretary of state at ohiosos.gov.Stay connected with CityBeat. Subscribe to our newsletters, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google News, Apple News and Reddit.
Send CityBeat a news or story tip or submit a calendar event.
