Ohio’s voter registration deadline is approaching for May election

COLUMBUS, Ohio — If you want to decide whether Ohio takes on $2.5 billion in debt for infrastructure projects over the next decade, you better make sure you’re registered to vote.

The State Capital Improvement Program renewal (Issue 2) is up for a vote alongside various local issues May 6, and Ohioans have until Monday, April 7, to register.

Read more: Ohioans to vote in May on $2.5B infrastructure bond issue

People who aren’t registered or have moved since they last voted can go online to https://olvr.ohiosos.gov/ to register, check their registration or make changes.

Voters can also register in person at their local board of elections.

Important election times and dates

County election offices open voting centers for early, in-person absentee voting on April 8. That’s also the date they start mailing absentee ballots.

The deadline to request a mail ballot is April 29. This can also be done online through the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.

Ohio law says absentee ballots must be postmarked by the day before Election Day and won’t count if they arrive more than four days after the election.

Before Election Day, in-person early voting will be at each of Ohio’s 88 county boards of elections. Here are the hours:

• April 8-11: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• April 14-18: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• April 21-25: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• April 28: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• April 29: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• April 30 – May 2: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• May 3: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• May 4: 1-5 p.m.

Polls will open throughout Ohio from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, May 6. Don’t forget that anyone in line before polls close can vote.

What local issues are on the ballot?

Aside from Issue 2, Voters in Summit County have Issue 18.

It’s a levy request from the Akron-Summit County Public Library system that would raise $160 million over 20 years.

The library estimates it would cost homeowners $35 annually for each $100,000 of appraised value.

School districts in Bay Village, Avon Lake, Elyria, Wickliffe, Parma and Ravenna have levies as well.

Ohioans can search for their specific issues on the sample ballot page of the Secretary of State’s website.

Don’t forget your ID

Ohio now requires voters to show identification in order to cast a ballot.

Here’s a list of what is acceptable:

• Ohio driver’s license
• State of Ohio ID card
• A U.S. passport
• A U.S. passport card
• U.S. military ID card
• Ohio National Guard ID card
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card

It’s important to note that any ID on this list is invalid if it’s expired.

Voters who forget their ID can vote provisionally and return at a later date with their card.

Anna Staver covers state government and politics for Cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer.