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Ohio voter registration guide
Ohio voter registration deadlines
- Register to vote (online): 30 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (by mail): Postmarked 30 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (in person): 30 days before Election Day
Check your Ohio voter registration status
- If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your Ohio registration using the Ohio voter registration lookup tool.
- If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.
Ohio voter registration rules
In order to register to vote in Ohio, you must meet these requirements:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be 18 years old by the next General Election
- be a resident of Ohio for the 30 days before Election Day
- not be incarcerated for a felony conviction (if you have been convicted of violating Ohio's election laws three or more times, you must receive a pardon in order to be eligible to vote)
- not have been declared incompetent for voting purposes by a probate court.
Ohio online voter registration
- You can register to vote online if you have an Ohio driver's license, driver's permit, or state-issued photo ID card.
- Visit the Ohio online voter registration tool.
- Fill out all the required fields.
- You will be registered to vote as soon as you finish the workflow.
- You should receive your voter registration card in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If not, you might want to follow up with your local election office.
- The deadline to register to vote online is 30 days before Election Day.
Ohio by-mail voter registration
- Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- Box 6 - ID Number: Enter your Ohio driver’s license number. If you don't have one, enter the last 4 digits of your social security number. If you don’t have either number, write "NONE" in this space.
- Box 7 - Choice of Party: You do not need to register with a party in order to take part in that party’s primary election. Party affiliation is established by voting at a primary election.
- Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank.
- Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
- Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
- Your voter registration form must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day
Ohio in-person voter registration
- Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
- Bring your Ohio driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring one photo ID issued by any state or the federal government, and bring one document that shows your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
Ohio same day registration
Ohio does not have same day registration.
Registering to vote in Ohio with a felony conviction
If you have been convicted of a felony and would like to register to vote, please visit Restore Your Vote. They will help you determine your eligibility and guide you through the process.
Local election office
Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for Ohio elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.
Secretary of State of Ohio Elections Division 180 E. Broad Street - 15th Floor Columbus, OH 43215
External resources
- Ohio online voter registration
- Ohio voter status lookup
- Ohio absentee ballot tracker
- Ohio polling place locator
References
Voter registration
Voter registration