PLAN YOUR VOTE: Voting Absentee
August 29, 2024 by Ross Musick
Revised: August 2024
There are many ways to vote in the upcoming election. Voting by an absentee ballot is a great way for people to vote from their own homes. An absentee ballot (or “mail-in voting”) allows you to mail in your ballot before Election Day so you don’t have to be physically present to vote. Absentee ballot applications are due by noon, 7 days before Election Day.
How do I request an absentee ballot?
• If you would like an Absentee Ballot Application mailed to you, visit the following website and fill out the required information: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/absentee-request/
• If you have a qualifying disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you can request an Accessible Absentee Ballot to use with assistive technology, visit this website for more information: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/voters-with-disabilities/votingfaqs/
What information do I need to request an absentee ballot?
• Name
• Address at which you are registered to vote
• 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-
- State ID or driver’s license number; OR
- Last 4 digits of your social security number; OR
- A copy of a current and valid photo ID; OR
- Military identification; OR
- Passport ID
• Statement identifying the election for which you are requesting an absentee ballot
Once your application has been received and approved, your ballot will be mailed to your address. Your completed Absentee Ballot must be postmarked no later than the day before Election Day and must be received by the BOE no later than four days after the election. If you return an absentee ballot in person you must return it by 7:30pm on Election Day. If you decide not to vote by absentee ballot, you can choose to vote in person on Election Day using a provisional ballot. You can learn more about provisional ballots here: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/provisional-voting/
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.
You have a right to receive assistance filling out and returning your absentee ballot from anyone you choose. You can learn more about a recent federal ruling to this right in our blog here: https://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/blog/yryv-the-right-to-voting-assistance-league