Vote Absentee By Mail or In-Person

Absentee Voting By Mail

All Ohio voters have the opportunity to vote in the next Primary or General Election from the convenience of their own homes by requesting an absentee ballot. You can request your ballot for each individual election beginning on January 1, 2012, or 90 days before the date of an election, whichever is earlier. Your request must be received by your local county board of elections by noon the third day before the election (usually a Saturday). However, you should submit your request as far in advance of the election as possible to ensure there is sufficient time for the board to mail you a ballot and for you to timely return that ballot.

Steps to request and vote an absentee ballot:

1. Complete the absentee ballot request form.
2. Once you have completed your application by providing your name, address, date of birth, form of identification and address to which your ballot should be mailed, print and sign it. Qualifying forms of identification include writing on the application your driver’s license number (which begins with two alphabet letters followed by six numbers) or the last four digits of your Social Security number OR a making a photocopy (to enclose with your application when mailed to the board of elections) of either your current and valid photo identification, military identification, or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and current address.
3. Mail the request form back to your own county board of elections. 
4. Wait to receive your ballot in the mail from your county board of elections. If you have questions about your absentee ballot request, you should call your local board of elections.
5. Return your voted ballot. You can send it by U.S. mail or deliver it in person to your county board of elections, but the return envelope containing your marked ballot must either be received by your county board of elections prior to the close of the polls on Election Day, or postmarked no later than the day before the election and received by the board of elections no later than 10 days after the election. You cannot fax or e-mail a voted ballot.

Absentee Voting In-Person

Ohio voters may also cast absentee ballots in person prior to Election Day through their local county board of elections. For the vast majority of voters, the early in-person voting period begins 35 days before the day of an election and ends at 6 p.m. the Friday before the election. (There are exceptions in law for uniformed services and overseas voters and for voters hospitalized due to emergencies.)
For more specific information about where and when you can vote early in your county, please contact your county board of elections.