Ohio sent absentee ballot applications to registered voters. What you need to know

Ohioans can start requesting absentee ballots for the Nov. 5 election.

Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office mailed ballot applications this week to the state’s nearly 8 million registered voters, a standard practice for even-year elections. While the presidential race has grabbed much of the attention, Ohio voters will also decide local issues and candidates, state legislative races, State Issue 1, congressional races and who holds a competitive U.S. Senate seat.

LaRose urged voters to watch out for absentee ballot forms issued by third-party organizations, rather than the state of Ohio. A sweeping election law enacted in 2023 requires Ohioans to complete a state-issued application if they want to vote by mail, which caused some hiccups during last year’s August special election.

Click here to see what the secretary of state’s mailer looks like.

“As various groups and campaigns ramp up their communication with voters, every Ohioan should be vigilant when completing any forms that are not labeled official election mail or from Ohio’s trusted source for election information, voteohio.gov,” LaRose said.

How do I vote absentee in Ohio?

Mail-in voting for the November election begins Oct. 8. To request a ballot, you must fill out the state form and provide a copy of your photo ID, driver’s license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Absentee ballot applications are due by Oct. 29. Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 4 and received by county boards of elections no later than Nov. 9 to be counted.

Voters can also bring the completed ballot to their local board before polls close on election night.

You can track your absentee ballot at voteohio.gov/track.

I didn’t get an absentee ballot application. What should I do?

Ohioans who don’t receive an absentee ballot application should check their voter registration status at voterlookup.ohiosos.gov.

You can also download the form at voteohio.gov.

How do I register to vote in Ohio?

Ohioans can register to vote online at olvr.ohiosos.gov or mail a form to their county board of elections. In-person registration is available at boards of elections, BMV locations, public libraries and several other locations.

You’ll need to provide:

• Name
• Address
• Date of birth
• Either 1) Your Ohio driver’s license or state ID number or 2) The last four digits of your Social Security number.

Voters must be U.S. citizens, age 18 or older and residents of Ohio for at least 30 days before the election.

The deadline to register for the November election is Oct. 7.

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.