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FAQs

Student Absentee Voting

Absentee Voting for U.S. Armed Forces Members

Why should I register to vote?
The right we possess as American citizens to the secret ballot is the most dear. Voting allows each citizen to have his or her voice heard. Voting preserves the freedom we Americans cherish.

Must I be a U.S. citizen and a resident to register to vote in Ohio?
You must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Ohio for at least thirty (30) days before the election and you must have registered to vote in Ohio at least thirty (30) days before the election.

How do I register to vote?
You may register to vote simply by filling out a brief form, giving your intent to register, your name, birth date, citizenship status, age, current address and signature.

Do I have to register before every election?
No. Once you register to vote and vote in at least one general election in four years and – if you so choose – in a primary or special election, you never have to register again. Remember: You must keep your registration accurately updated for changes that may occur in your life such as a move or a name change.

Must I have an ID with me to register to vote?
Yes, R.C.3505.18 requires each elector to provide proof of the elector’s identity. The form of identification that may be used includes the voter’s current and valid photo identification card, military identification, copy of utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or government document showing the voter’s name and current address. (The statute specifies that an elector cannot use as proof a notice that the board of elections mailed to the voter.)

Can I register to vote anywhere as long as it is in Ohio?
Yes, you may register at any approved registration site in the State of Ohio, but you must vote in the county and precinct where you reside. It is a felony to knowingly make application or attempt to register in a precinct in which you are not a qualified voter. The system in our country is based on the premise of one person, one vote.

How old must I be to be able to register to vote?
You must be 18 years old on or before the day of the general election. You may register to vote when you are 17 years old to vote in a Primary election for candidates only if you will be 18 on or before the day of the general election.

Must I declare a political party affiliation when I register?
No. However, when you vote in a primary election, your vote will determine your party affiliation.

Where may I register to vote?
You may register to vote at the following locations:

You may also be able to register at sites such as: union-affiliated offices, or at get-out-to-vote rallies at special locations.

How may I request a voter registration form?
You may request a voter registration form by mail, or by calling or visiting the Clermont County Board of Election. You may obtain a form via mail by contacting the office of the Secretary of State of Ohio or by visiting the Ohio Secretary of State Client Services Center. You may also visit any of the above registration locations. Anyone may pick up a registration form for you.

Is there a deadline for sending in the registration form?
In order to vote in an upcoming election, the properly completed voter registration form must be postmarked thirty (30) days before the upcoming election to be valid.

Do I have to be registered in the county that is my residence in order to vote?
Yes.

How do I find out if I am still registered if I have not voted in a long time?
Contact the Clermont County Board of Elections for information specific to your situation.

PLEASE NOTE: The Office of the Secretary of State does not have specific, individual registration information on file – only county boards of elections have that information.

Can I register to vote if I am a felon?
Yes, if you are not currently incarcerated.

Can an unhoused person register to vote?
Yes.

What form do I fill out to change my address or my name?
You must complete an Ohio Voter Registration Form at any registration site. The registration form is also available for you to obtain when you file for a marriage license, or with the court when you change your name.

I registered, but I never received a notice from the Board of Elections that I am registered. How do I find out if my new registration was really processed?
It is a good idea to confirm your registration status with the Board of Elections by the registration deadline, which is usually in early October.

 

About How to Vote:

How do I find out where to go to vote?
Only the Clermont County Board of Elections can tell you the location of your polling place. Please be sure to verify your polling location early in the election season.

Where do I go to actually vote?
You must go to your assigned polling place in the Clermont County precinct.

How do I find out if my polling place has moved?
Contact the Clermont County Board of Elections. If the polling place has relocated, the county Board of Elections is required to send you a notification in the mail of the new location.

Do I need an ID with me to vote?
Yes. RC 3505.18

Can I vote in an upcoming election if I just moved to Ohio?
Yes, if you properly completed and submitted an Ohio voter registration form in the 30 days prior to the election. You should contact the Clermont County Board of Elections to confirm your registration status if you are uncertain.

Can I vote if I moved within my voting precinct?
Yes. If you are registered, you must report to your assigned polling place on Election Day and complete A Notice of Change of Address and make other changes, if applicable, and vote a regular ballot.

Can I vote if I changed my name and moved?
Yes. If you are registered, you must go to your assigned polling place on Election Day and complete A Notice of Change of Name and A Change of Address and make other changes, if applicable, and vote a regular ballot if within the same precinct. If the move was to a new precinct, you will vote a provisional ballot.

Can I vote if I moved within my county on Election Day?
Yes, if you are registered. You may:

If I moved from one Ohio county to another Ohio county during the 28 days before an election, can I vote?

Yes, if you are registered. You may:


If I moved on Election Day from one Ohio county to another Ohio county, can I vote?
Yes, if you are registered. You may choose to:

How close to the date of an election can I change my address and still vote?
You may vote if you follow the examples listed above. Generally, you may vote if you completed the appropriate notices of change during the 28 days before a primary election or if you completed and submitted the appropriate change forms during the 25 days before a presidential primary election.

 

About Absentee Voting:

What is absentee voting?
Any qualified Ohio elector who is registered to vote at the elector’s correct voting residence address may request an absentee ballot without stating a reason.

How do I get an absentee ballot?
An absentee ballot may be requested by visiting or writing to the Clermont County Board of Elections or downloading an absentee ballot request.

You must give the following information:

(1) The elector’s name;

(2) The elector’s signature;

(3) The address at which the elector is registered to vote;

(4) The elector’s date of birth;

(5) One of the following:

    1. The elector’s driver’s license number;
    2. The last four digits of the elector’s social security number;
    3. A copy of the elector’s current and valid photo identification, a copy of a military identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections under section 3503.19 of the Revised Code, that shows the name and address of the elector.

(6) A statement identifying the election for which absent voter’s ballots are requested;

(7) A statement that the person requesting the ballots is a qualified elector;

(8) If the request is for primary election ballots, the elector’s party affiliation;

(9) If the elector desires ballots to be mailed to the elector, the address to which those ballots shall be mailed.

If you are in a hospital for a medical emergency ON ELECTION DAY, the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is 3 P.M. ON ELECTION DAY.

**For your convenience, the county elections board, or the office of the Secretary of State of Ohio, may provide an Absentee Voter Ballot application form to you, but this form is not a requirement to receive an absentee ballot. It simply allows an easy way for you to let the county elections board know that you wish to have an absentee ballot. You may download the absentee voter application from this website. It is in PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat to open.

 

About Student Absentee Voting:

I am a college student and I won’t be home in my Ohio home county on Election Day because I am attending an Ohio college. Can I vote absentee?
Yes, you may vote absentee from your home address if you have not registered in the county in which you are attending college. If you consider your college address to be your permanent address, then you would register and vote from that address.

I go to college out of the state of Ohio and I will be living out of Ohio for the next five years. Can I just register in my new state and vote there?
Yes, if you consider your new, out-of-state residence your home.

**For your convenience, the county elections board, or the office of the secretary of State of Ohio, may provide an Absentee Voter Ballot application form to you, but this form is not a requirement to receive an absentee ballot. It simply allows an easy way for you to let the county elections board know that you wish to have an absentee ballot.

 

About Absentee Voting for U.S. Armed Forces members:

Federal Voting Assistance Program

What is the voting residence of a service member?
The voting residence of a service member is the place where you resided when you first entered the service or where you established a voting residence elsewhere in Ohio.

Must I register first to get an absentee ballot if I am in the armed service?
No. You may submit a Federal Postcard Application form which allows you to both register and request an absentee ballot at the same time and on one form.

How do I get an absentee ballot when I am away in the service?
You, your spouse or a family member may request an absentee ballot for you by providing the following information to the Clermont County Board of Elections:

**For your convenience, the county elections board, or the office of the secretary of State of Ohio, may provide an Absentee Voter Ballot application form to you, but this form is not a requirement to receive an absentee ballot. It simply allows an easy way for you to let the county elections board know that you wish to have an absentee ballot.

 

Asked on Election Day:

How can I get to be a poll worker on Election Day?
You may call the Clermont County Board of Elections office if you are interested in these paid positions that may be right in your neighborhood. Everyone is encouraged to participate in our electoral process.

Is it too late to register to vote?
IT IS NEVER “TOO LATE” TO REGISTER TO VOTE. However, you cannot vote in today’s election unless you are registered.

Can you tell me where to go vote today?
You must call the Clermont County Board of Elections. Only the Clermont County Board of Elections has information regarding the location of your polling place.

Can I still vote if I forgot to register?
No. You must have properly completed and submitted a voter registration format least thirty (30) days before the election.

Can I do an absentee ballot today — Election Day – because I can’t make it to the polls?
You may vote by absentee ballot only if you are in the hospital with a medical emergency and the request for an absentee ballot is made before 3 P.M. ON ELECTION DAY. All other requests must be received by noon three days prior to the election.

Can I make changes to my voter registration information at the polls on Election Day when I go to vote?
Yes, as long as the changes occurred within county.

 

While at the polling place:

I made a mistake. Can I vote again?
Yes. If you made an error while voting, let a poll worker know and you will be issued a new ballot.

Can I ask a poll worker a question about the voting process if I am confused about how to use the equipment?
Yes. Poll workers can help you at the site. There are instructions at the top of each ballot instructing the voter to darken the oval at the left of the candidate’s name or answer of your choice. Sample ballots are also available for practice.

Can someone stand in the voting booth with me when I cast my vote?
No. Exceptions are made for voters who declare illiteracy or a physical infirmity. They can receive the help of two election officials of different political parties in the booth. If the voter is obviously physically disabled, a near relative can assist by filling out the appropriate form.

Can I still vote if I am standing in line at 7:30 p.m. when the polls close?
Yes. The poll workers must allow you the opportunity to vote if you are waiting in line inside at your correct polling location when the polls close.

Remember: As a voter, you have the responsibility to ask questions and to get them answered if you are confused about the voting process and to check your ballot for accuracy before you cast it.

 

Some information provided by the Ohio Secretary of State.