Ohio Absentee Voter Guide

Military and overseas voters should visit the Overseas Vote Foundation.  Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.

Important Deadlines

• Voter Registration: Postmarked at least 30 days before the election
• Absentee Ballot Application: Received by noon on the Saturday before the election
• Voted Absentee Ballot: Postmarked no later than the day BEFORE the election and received by the board of elections no later than 10 days after the election

How to vote by absentee ballot

Register to vote

Recommended: Use our Voter Registration Widget.  Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address printed on the form. 

You can also use the Ohio Voter Registration Form.  Mail your completed form to County Board of Elections.

Verify your registration

You should receive written confirmation that your voter registration was processed in 2-3 weeks.  Don't panic if you never receive your voter registration card: you don't actually need it to vote.  If you not sure if your registration was processed - or if you simply can't remember if you're registered to vote - you can use the voter registration verification tools here.

Apply for your absentee ballot

Good news! Any registered Ohio voter can vote by absentee ballot.

Download and complete the Ohio Absentee Ballot Application.  Mail or hand-deliver your completed absentee ballot application to your County Board of Elections.

Receive, complete, and return your absentee ballot

The absentee ballot itself is pretty straightforward.  Fill it out, sign where indicated, and mail or hand-deliver your voted ballot to your County Board of Elections.  Your voted ballot must be received by the close of polls on election day.  If you can't return your ballot yourself, and immediate family member can bring deliver it for you to your County Board of Elections. 

NOTE: If you are outside the United States on election day, your absentee ballot envelope must be signed or postmarked prior to the close of polls, and received by the Board of Elections no later than 10 days after the election or 20 days after the presidential primary election

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I need to provide ID when I apply for my absentee ballot?

You need to include your Ohio driver's license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number on your absentee ballot application.  If you don't have one of these numbers, then you must a copy of your identification.  Acceptable ID includes: a current and valid photo ID that shows your name; a military identification that shows your name; or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document (other than a voter registration notification mailed by a board of elections) that shows your name and address.

I won't be able to go to the polls on election day but don't want to vote by mail.  Can I vote in person before the election?

Yes. Check out our Early Voting page for details.

Additional Information