How to register to vote, actually vote in Ohio

Athens County Board of Elections. File Photo by Morgan McCarthy.

The deadline for voter registration in Ohio is quickly approaching, as is Election Day. Here’s how to register to vote as well as the important deadlines, according to the Ohio Secretary of State.

Register Online

You can register to vote online at the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. Click here to register to vote or update your information.

Register by Mail

Print off a voter registration form here, or use the national mail voter registration form here. After filling out the form, mail it to your county’s board of elections. 

You can also request that your board mail you a registration form. 

Registration forms must be postmarked at least 30 days before the Nov. 3 election.

Register In-Person

You can go to your local board of elections to fill out a registration form or bring in a completed form. 

Completed voter registration forms can be delivered to a number of locations, such as public libraries, public schools or the office of the secretary of state. Like mail registration forms, the last day to register to vote is Oct. 5. A full list of locations to register is available here.

Now that you’re registered, you can vote at your polling location on Election Day or vote absentee.

Request to Vote Absentee

In order to vote by mail, you must fill out an absentee ballot request form. You can find one here. After it’s filled out and signed, mail it to your local board of elections. The board of elections will mail you an absentee ballot in October.

Voting Absentee

Once you fill out your ballot, mail it back to the board of elections or take it to them in person. Mailed ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day. The deadline to deliver your ballot in-person is 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.