Make a Plan for How You Will Vote
While Election Day is not until Nov. 3, we want to make sure you know the key dates and deadlines that are approaching, especially if you plan to vote by mail during this pandemic.

Voting by Mail
By now, all registered Ohio voters should have automatically received an absentee ballot application in the mail from the Ohio Secretary State.  If you did not receive one or if you lost it, you can find the options available to request one here. While you can technically request a ballot until Oct. 31, it is strongly encouraged that you do so right away. Ballots will be mailed starting Oct. 6 when Ohio’s 28 days of early voting starts. The later you apply, the later you will receive your ballot. To track the status of your mail-in ballot, click here. Mailed ballots must be postmarked no later than Nov. 2 and received by the board of elections no later than 10 days after Election Day. If you do not want to mail your ballot, you can drop it off at your local county board of elections any time before the polls close at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3. Each board will have a secure drop box for ballots. To find your local county board of elections, click here.

In-Person Early Voting Option
Ohio has 28 days of early in-person voting at county boards of elections. Here are the dates and times:

Oct. 6^th – Oct. 9^th and Oct. 12^th – Oct. 16^th: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Oct. 19^th – Oct. 23^rd: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Oct. 24^th: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Oct. 25^th 1 to 5 p.m.
Oct. 26^th – Oct. 30^th: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Oct. 31^st: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nov. 1^st: 1 -5 p.m.
Nov. 2^nd 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To find your local county board of elections, click here. To view your sample ballot ahead of time, visit your county board’s website which can be found here.

Election Day Voting – November 3^rd
Polls will be open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov 3rd. A curbside voting option will be available for those with disabilities or those with concerns about entering a polling place. Click here to find or check your polling location.

Don’t Forget Required Identification for In-Person Voting
Don’t forget to bring ID to vote. Acceptable forms of ID include: an unexpired driver’s license or state ID card or mail such as a utility bill, paycheck, government check or bank statement showing your current address. A full list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here.  Note that in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, driver licenses or state identification cards that expired on or after March 9, 2020, are automatically extended and remain valid through the November 3, 2020 General Election.

Questions? Contact OIA’s Government Affairs Manager Carolyn Mangas at carolyn@ohioinsuranceagents.com.