Ohio Voting Has Changed. We've Got Answers.
There is a special election in August for Ohio. In November, there will be a general election. State constitutional amendments, school board members, and other government positions are on the ballot.
However, Ohio’s voting laws have changed since the last election. You will need to show an unexpired photo ID to vote in person. We have compiled the information you need for both the special election and the general election.
These elections have the power to change the political landscape across the country and affect voting rights, reproductive rights, and so much more. Make your voice heard, and VOTE.
With new rules for Ohio voters, make sure you have everything you need for Election Day.
Voter Resources
Tuesday, August 8, is the Special Election.
Tuesday, November 7, is the General Election.
First, you must be registered to vote in order to vote in elections.
July 10, 2023, is the last day to register to vote in Ohio for the special election.
October 10, 2023, is the last day to register to vote in Ohio for the general election.
Ohio Voting Laws have changed. You must have a photo ID to vote.
Photo IDs that are acceptable are:
An unexpired Ohio driver’s license
A U.S. passport
A U.S. passport card
A U.S. military ID card
You can find the full list of accepted IDs here.
If you need a photo ID, Ohio will create a free government ID for you here.
If you do not have a photo ID on Election Day, you can vote with a provisional ballot. This ballot will require you to show or obtain a photo ID before it is counted.
Photo IDs that are not acceptable are:
A non-Ohio or expired driver’s license
Social Security card
Birth certificate
Insurance card
Utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck
Know when you can vote on Election Day:
On August 8, polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.
On November 7, polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.
If you are in line at 7:30 p.m. stay in line, you will still be allowed to vote.
There are numerous ways to vote early.
Early in-person voting for the Special Election starts July 11 and goes until August 6. You can vote at the Board of Elections Office if you live in Hamilton County.
Early in-person voting for the General Election starts October 11 and goes until November 5. You can vote at the Board of Elections Office if you live in Hamilton County.
You can request an absentee mail-in ballot. Your ballot must be sent in and received by Election Day.
Absentee mail-in voters must include a copy of their photo ID, an ID number, or the last four digits of their social security number with their requests for an absentee/mail-in ballot.
If you voted by mail-in ballot, you can check the status of your ballot here.
Other resources you may need.
You may be allowed time off of work on Election Day to vote. In Ohio, employees cannot be fired for taking a reasonable amount of time to vote. Salaried employees may be given paid time off to vote.
If you are a voter with a disability, find your voting rights here.
If you need multilingual or ESL voting resources, find your voting rights here.
If there is a problem at a polling location, such as a poll worker not being able to find your name, you can call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español).
Want to get involved? Here are a few ways.
Volunteer with the Cincinnati League of Women Voters. You can join committees that plan voting registration and education events in the community.
Become a poll worker. As a poll worker, you are responsible for arranging chairs and tables for voting, directing people to wait in lines, processing voters, and aiding voters when needed.
Poll worker sign-up in Hamilton County.
There are also opportunities for high school seniors to volunteer as well as company volunteering.
Poll worker sign-up in Kentucky.
Volunteer through Greater Cincinnati Voter Collaborative. This includes giving free rides to voters to and from the polls on Election Day if you have a car, or by becoming an ambassador to help register voters and encourage voting.
Volunteer with the Ohio Voter Rights Coalition. As an ambassador, you can help improve voter engagement; as a poll monitor, you can answer voter questions and spread voter education on Election Day; as a social media monitor, you can assist in finding and reporting misinformation about voting spreading on the internet.
Just remember that the most important thing you can do is vote in every election.