PLAN YOUR VOTE: Getting Registered
September 17, 2020 by Ross Musick / voting
Getting registered to vote in the upcoming election is the best way to make sure your voice is heard! The deadline to register for this year’s election is Tuesday, October 11th, so be sure to follow these easy steps to prepare. To register means filling out a form (either online or on paper) for the Board of Elections telling them that you want to vote and giving them information everyone must give to vote.
How do I register to Vote?
• Register online or update your address by clicking here.
• You can fill out a form and mail it or take it to the Board of Elections
• You can get a form at state agencies like Board of Elections, BMV, JFS, libraries, etc.
• You can call and ask the Ohio Secretary of State or county board of elections to send you a form. Phone: (614) 466-2655 | Toll free (877) 767-6446)
• You can print a form from the Ohio Secretary of State website.
What information do I need to register to vote?
• Name
• Address
• Date of birth
• Signature (if you cannot sign you can mark an X, use a signature stamp, ask someone to sign for you, or sign a form for an attorney in fact who can sign for you)
• Proof of identification
o State ID or driver’s license number; OR
o Last 4 digits of your social security number; OR
o A copy of a current and valid photo ID; OR
o Military identification; OR
o A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck; OR
o Other government document that shows your name and address
I have a disability that makes me more vulnerable to COVID-19. Do I have to go in-person to vote?
No. You can request an absentee ballot and vote from your home. If you are at a higher risk for getting the virus, you could also request a reasonable accommodation to be able to vote from the safety of your car and use curbside voting.
You can vote on election day, by a mail-in absentee ballot, or by voting early in-person. Certain accommodations and other means of help are available if you need them.
DRO operates a voter hotline every Election Day from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. If you need help, call us at 614-466-7264 or 800-282- 9181. Our normal intake line is open from 9 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. We are working remotely, so leave us a voicemail and we will call you back.
If you are interested in learning more about your voting rights, visit DRO’s website: http://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/voting