|
VOTER ELIGIBILITY
You are qualified to vote if:
 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 the November election date you are eligible to register to vote and
participate in the primary election, even though you may be 17 at the time of the primary
election. 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 register to
vote at least 30 days before the election.
How is residence determined?
By law your residence is the place to which, wherever you are absent, you have the
intent to return. Leaving for temporary purposes, such as military service or school does
not result in a change of residence for voting purpose, unless you register in the area
where you are currently residing.
Can a student vote from his/her school address?
Yes if a student regards that place as his/her residence and registers to vote.
Otherwise, the student must vote in his/her home community registered
Can a prisoner vote in Ohio?
Persons convicted of a misdemeanor may vote, even if incarcerated at the time of the
election. Persons convicted of a felony and incarcerated lose the right to vote. When
discharged, granted probation, parole, or pardoned, their voting rights are restored. In
some instances, these persons need to reregister to vote.
REGISTRATION
Does everyone have to be registered?
Yes, except for members of the armed forces serving on active duty. Their spouses and
dependents are also exempt if they have left Ohio to be near the service member.
At the office of any Bureau
of Motor Vehicles.
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 vocation school.
At offices of
designated agencies which provide public assistance or disability programs.
Public libraries
County
treasurer's office.
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. 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, office of any Bureau of Motor Vehicles or designated agencies 30 days
before an election to be valid for that election.
Do I declare by politics when I register?
No, under Ohio law, your party affiliation is determined by the ballot you vote in a
primary election.
What if I change my address or name?
If you are now registered and move within the state or same county or change your
name, you must report the change to the board of elections.
You may report the change:
By mail on a
registration form
At the board of
elections, at a branch registration office established by the board or at the office of
the Secretary of State.
At the office of
any Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
At designated
agencies (see above for list).
By completing
the notice of change in voting status and filing with the court when you apply for a
marriage license or when your name is changed by court order.
Mailed forms sent to a county board of elections or the Secretary of State office must be
postmarked 30 days before an election to be valid for the election.
Forms not mailed in must be received by a board of elections, the Secretary of State's
office, office of any Bureau of Motor Vehicles or designated agencies 30 days before an
election to be valid for that election.
Exceptions: If you change your name, move within your precinct, or move from one precinct
to another in you county, you may report the change and vote by appearing at the board of
elections during absentee voting period; or on election day you may go to the polling
place in the precinct in which you reside, the board of elections, or site designated by
the board. If you move from one county to another in the state, you may report the change
and vote at the board of elections in the county in which you now reside during the
absentee voting period, or on election day at the board of elections or site designated by
the board.
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.
|
|
|
