• Voter Info

  • Voting Requirements

    To be able to vote, you must first be registered. There are six simple qualifications you must meet before you register:

    • You are a citizen of the United States.
    • You are at least 18 years old on or before the day of the general election. If you will be 18 on or before Election Day, you may vote in the primary election for candidates only, but not on issues.
    • You will be a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days before the election.
    • You are not incarcerated for a felony conviction under the laws of this state, another state or the United States.
    • You have not been declared incompetent for voting purposes by a probate court.
    • You have not been permanently disfranchised for violations of the election laws.
    • Once you've determined you are qualified to vote, you need to register. You must register at least 30 days before the election in which you would like to vote.


    You may register in person at any of the following locations:

    • At any county board of elections or the Secretary of State's office.
    • At branch registration offices or locations established by a board of elections.
    • At any public high school or vocational school.
    • At the office of any Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
    • At offices of designated agencies which provide public assistance or disability
    • programs.
    • Public libraries.
    • County treasurer's office.
    • Or by mail.


    You may request a registration form from a board of elections or the Secretary of State's office by mail, telephone, in person or by having another person obtain it for you. You also may either download a voter registration form or request one be mailed to you from the Secretary of State's Web site: www.sos.state.oh.us. After completing the form, return it to the board of elections or Secretary of State's office by mail.

    Mailed registration forms sent to a county board of elections or the Secretary of State's office must be postmarked 30 days before an election to be valid for the election.

    Registration forms not mailed in must be received by a board of elections, the Secretary of State's office, public high school or vocational school, public library, office of any Bureau of Motor Vehicles, county treasurer's office or designated agencies 30 days before an election to be valid for that election.

    Once you have completed your registration in person or have mailed the registration form you requested back to your county board of elections, your county board of elections will mail a notice to you confirming you are registered to vote. The notice will also identify your voting precinct and the location of your precinct polling place.

    As a registered voter, there are two ways for you to cast your ballot:

    • In Person.
    • On Election Day you may go to your designated polling location and cast your ballot at your assigned precinct. If you are not certain of your precinct or polling location, contact the board of elections or conduct a Polling Location Search on the Secretary of State's Web site.


    Request and Vote an Absentee Ballot

    Any registered voter in Ohio may request and cast an absentee ballot; you do not need to state a reason to vote absentee.
    The Secretary of State's office maintains a phone line to provide information on registration and voting for deaf citizens. The number is TDD (614) 466-0562.
    For detailed information on voter registration please visit the Voter Registration Information on the Ohio Secretary of State's page.