VOTER INFORMATION

The Ohio Secretary of State keeps track of voter registration. It is important to re-check before the next election because sometime people are taken off the list if they have been inactive or if they have moved. Make absolutely sure your address is up to date (see next question).

This very simple Voter Lookup link will let you check your status. Click here: VoterLookup

You must register at least 30 days before the date of the election. The Ohio Secretary of State lets you register online if you have an Ohio drivers’ license or State ID card and a Social Security Number. If not, you can register by mail or in person at your county board of elections with other forms of identification.

The instructions are at this link: Ohio Voter Registration

Once in every primary and general election. Primary elections—the first round of voting to narrow down the choices for some offices—are usually held in March. Most primaries require that you choose either a Republican or Democratic ballot. General elections—where voters make the final selection for each office that is at stake—are usually the first Tuesday of November. General elections offer the same ballot to everyone in the same voting precinct, regardless of party. “Special” elections are held at other times if an office falls vacant and the replacement can only be chosen by voters, rather than a higher level politician.

There are three ways to vote:

(1) In person, on election day, at your neighborhood polling place.

Sometimes there are last minute challenges: bad weather, a sick family member, a crisis at work, a transportation problem, long wait times, need for additional help filling out a ballot because English is a second language or because of a physical disability. The best solution to avoiding challenges like these is to vote early. Your vote counts just the same. In Ohio, these are the first votes counted and reported on election night.

(2) In person, during early voting hours, at your County Board of Elections.

If you have the ability to travel to your County Board of Elections, the lines are short or none at all, and you will vote on a regular ballot. If there are any questions about your eligibility, identity, or signature, they can be addressed on the spot by the County employees.

(3) By “absentee ballot” during the early voting period.

You are allowed to do this for convenience in Ohio, without a specific reason given. You must send in a request for a paper ballot to be mailed to you. Complete the ballot with your choices, follow all the instructions very carefully about signing and dating it. Either place a stamp and return by mail, postmarked BEFORE election day, or drive it to a secure “dropbox” in your county. You may NOT deliver it on Election Day to your neighborhood polling place. If you submit an early absentee ballot, you can check whether it was received and processed. If there are issues, you have more time to sort them out.

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The details might seem confusing but after going through one election cycle, you will know exactly what to do. To find out all the dates and deadlines, addresses, and more, check this helpful voter information from the Ohio Secretary of State.

Just like the Federal Government, Ohio has both a House of Representatives and a Senate.

State Representatives for the 99 house districts of Ohio are all elected every 2 years and can serve up to 8 years if re-elected. State Senators for the 33 senate districts of Ohio are elected every 4 years, half at a time, and can serve up to 8 years. You vote for one State Representative and one State Senator to represent your interests, but collectively, they make decisions that affect everyone who lives in Ohio.

Every 10 years after the national census, these district boundaries are redrawn. Ohio’s new maps have been challenged in supreme court as unfair and are under revision. Until then, these are the working maps.

To find your House district number and State Representative, follow this link.

To find your Senate district number and State Senator, follow this link.

The State Assembly is responsible for making many laws and determining the state budget, for example:

What is taught in public schools, performance standards, and how much money is allocated

Gun ownership and safety laws

Medical policies, including pandemic response and reproductive rights

Voting rights and procedures

Check out the candidate links on THE RUNNING LIST.