Watch for your absentee ballot application in the mail

September 18, 2018 by Stacy Brannan-Smith / voting

If you are registered to vote, you should have received an application for an absentee ballot  in the mail shortly after Labor Day. If you did not get one, it’s important that you check to make sure that you are still registered and that your address is updated. You can register to vote or change your address online, if needed.

If you want to vote by mail, here is what you need to do:

1. Fill out the absentee ballot application when you get it.

NEW THIS YEAR! If you are a voter with a vision impairment or other print disability, you can fill out this new form in PDF or HTML to request to use Ohio’s new remote ballot marking system. You still must print out, sign and send in the application. We will have more details about this exciting new option in the next few weeks.

2. Send the absentee ballot application to your county board of elections.

It is best to do this as soon as you can, but the county boards of election must receive your request for an absentee ballot by noon on Saturday, November 3rd.

You can either mail it back or deliver it in person.

3. Watch for your absentee ballot in the mail.

NEW THIS YEAR! If you are a voter with a vision impairment or other print disability who has requested to use the new remote ballot marking system, your ballot will be emailed to you instead, along with detailed instructions. You will then be able to mark your ballot digitally using your device of choice. You will still need to print out your completed ballot, put it inside your identification envelope and send it in. Your local board of elections will send you these envelopes in the mail.

4. Complete your ballot.

5. Return your ballot to your county board of elections.

If you choose to mail it, make sure you have enough postage!

It is best to do this as soon as you can. Your absentee ballot must be postmarked by November 5, the day before Election Day, in order to be counted. However, you or an eligible family member can also return the ballot in person to your local board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, November 6.

If you have any questions about or problems with your absentee voting request, please contact us.

Absentee voting is not the only way to cast a ballot before Election Day. Early, in-person voting is also an option. We will cover early voting in a future blog post.

Not sure what you’re voting on this time? Check your sample ballot.