Ohio General Election
Last update: Oct 15, 2026 01:01 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 14, 2026 01:21 a.m. EDT
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Registration Summary
Ohio offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Ohio by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
Ohio allows any voter to request a ballot by mail. You can also vote in person. Ohio offers early voting.
19 days to Election Day!
- Early voting has started! You can vote early until Nov 1. Dates and times may vary by location.
- Vote by mail: download and return your absentee ballot request form by Oct 27.
- Visit the Ohio website to find where to vote.
- You may need to show an ID when you vote in person. See the “Do I need to bring an ID?” section below to learn more.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on Ohio's website.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on Ohio’s website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Visit the Ohio Secretary of State website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on Ohio's site.
Can I vote early?
- Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
- Learn more about voting early in Ohio.
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Ohio’s site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will need to show photo ID to vote in Ohio.
Acceptable forms include:
- unexpired Ohio driver's license, Ohio state ID card, or interim identification form issued by the registrar of motor vehicles that doesn't contain a "noncitizen" identifier
- unexpired US passport or passport card
- unexpired military ID
- unexpired Ohio National Guard ID card
- unexpired US Department of Veterans Affairs ID card
- unexpired Ohio driver's license, state ID card, or Interim Documentation with your former address IS an ACCEPTABLE form of ID when your current address is in the pollbook
Voters without ID: If you do not provide photo ID at the precinct, you will still be able to vote using a provisional ballot. However, in order for that ballot to be counted, you must return to the board of elections no later than four days following Election Day to provide a qualifying form of photo identification. If you have religious objections to being photographed and do not present an acceptable form of photo ID when you vote, you can complete an Affidavit of Religious Objection.
For more information, please visit the Ohio Secretary of State's website.
Can I register to vote online?
- Ohio offers online voter registration.
- To register online in Ohio, you need the last four digits of your Social Security number and either an Ohio driver’s license or an Ohio identification card number. If you don’t have an Ohio-issued ID or Social Security number, you can still register by mail or in person.
Can I vote early?
Yes, Ohio does offer early voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote early?
- You can vote in person before Election Day between Oct 6 and Nov 1.
Where can I vote early?
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Ohio's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will need to show photo ID to vote in Ohio.
Acceptable forms include:
- unexpired Ohio driver's license, Ohio state ID card, or interim identification form issued by the registrar of motor vehicles that doesn't contain a "noncitizen" identifier
- unexpired US passport or passport card
- unexpired military ID
- unexpired Ohio National Guard ID card
- unexpired US Department of Veterans Affairs ID card
- unexpired Ohio driver's license, state ID card, or Interim Documentation with your former address IS an ACCEPTABLE form of ID when your current address is in the pollbook
Voters without ID: If you do not provide photo ID at the precinct, you will still be able to vote using a provisional ballot. However, in order for that ballot to be counted, you must return to the board of elections no later than four days following Election Day to provide a qualifying form of photo identification. If you have religious objections to being photographed and do not present an acceptable form of photo ID when you vote, you can complete an Affidavit of Religious Objection.
For more information, please visit the Ohio Secretary of State's website.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the Ohio voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Ohio, you must provide your current Ohio driver's license number OR state ID number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form. Ohio will assign you a unique identification number.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are NOT required to register with a party to vote in Ohio partisan primary elections. However, if you vote in a partisan primary election, you will become affiliated with the party whose primary you participate in.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.
If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
How do I vote by mail?
In Ohio, any registered voter can request to get a ballot by mail. Fill out your absentee ballot application and mail or return it in person to your local election office.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
- You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting a dedicated drop off location.
- Find a ballot drop off location near you.
- If you choose to return your ballot by mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.
Watch this video about voting by mail from the Ohio Secretary of State.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
No, this election does not offer in-person registration on Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- Learn more by visiting the Ohio Secretary of State website or contacting your local election office.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In-person at local election office : Oct 5 by 9:00 p.m. EDT
- Online : Oct 5 by 11:59 p.m. EDT
- By mail (postmarked by) : Oct 5
Absentee ballot deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Oct 27 by 8:30 p.m. EDT
- Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 3 by 7:30 p.m. EST
- Return ballot in person : Nov 3 by 7:30 p.m. EST
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
You will need to show photo ID to vote in Ohio.
Acceptable forms include:
- unexpired Ohio driver's license, Ohio state ID card, or interim identification form issued by the registrar of motor vehicles that doesn't contain a "noncitizen" identifier
- unexpired US passport or passport card
- unexpired military ID
- unexpired Ohio National Guard ID card
- unexpired US Department of Veterans Affairs ID card
- unexpired Ohio driver's license, state ID card, or Interim Documentation with your former address IS an ACCEPTABLE form of ID when your current address is in the pollbook
Voters without ID: If you do not provide photo ID at the precinct, you will still be able to vote using a provisional ballot. However, in order for that ballot to be counted, you must return to the board of elections no later than four days following Election Day to provide a qualifying form of photo identification. If you have religious objections to being photographed and do not present an acceptable form of photo ID when you vote, you can complete an Affidavit of Religious Objection.
For more information, please visit the Ohio Secretary of State's website.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View official ballot information on the Ohio Secretary of State website, if available.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Please note: Ohio does not have an online absentee ballot request portal.
Who can register to vote?
To register in Ohio you must:
- be a United States citizen
- be a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days immediately before the election in which you want to vote
- be at least 18 years old on or before the day of the next general election day (if you will be 18 on or before the day of the general election, you may vote in the primary election for candidates only, but you cannot vote on party central committees until you are 18)
- not be incarcerated (in jail or in prison) for a felony conviction
- not be found incompetent by a court for purposes of voting by a probate court
- not be permanently disenfranchised for violations of election laws
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Ohio. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Ohio's voter registration lookup tool.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In Ohio, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The Secretary of State oversees elections and election administration in Ohio. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.