Frequently Asked Questions about Voting
What requirements do I have to meet to be able to register to
vote in Ohio?
Will I ever have to re-register to vote?
What do I do if I forget to notify the Board of Elections that I moved?
Do I have to choose a political party when I register to vote?
Do I have to vote on all the offices and issues on the ballot?
Will I be called for jury duty if I register to vote?
How do I vote an absentee ballot?
Now that I am registered, what happens next?
What is the “Elections Calendar”?
What time do the polls open and close?
Who do we elect in what years?
What if I need more help understanding the mechanics of voting?
How do I register to vote?
Registering to vote is a very simple process. In Cuyahoga County, visit a local
public library, public high school, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections offices
(2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland), state government offices or any place where you
can renew your driver’s license. Some city and county offices, banks and businesses
are also places where you can register. Watch out for announcements of voter registration
drives at malls or other public places, usually right before the elections.
In Ohio, you must be registered 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote
in that election.
What requirements do I have to meet to be able to register
to vote in Ohio?
You must be 18 years old, a United States citizen and a resident of Ohio for at
least 30 days to be eligible to vote.
There is one exception to the age 18 rule. If you are 17 years old but will turn
18 by the day of the November general election, you may vote in the March primary
election for candidates only (Not issues!). For example, if you will turn 18 on
November 3, and the election is being held November 4, you may register before the
registration deadline in early February and vote in the March primary. Then you
may vote in the November election.
Please note: Naturalized citizens need to know the date (year) and place of naturalization.
Will I ever have to re-register to vote?
You must always be registered at your current address, so even if you move within
a county, you must notify the Board of Elections at least 30 days before an election
by filling out a new voter registration card. If you change your name (for instance,
if you get married), you must also fill out a new voter registration card. There
are places on the card for you to indicate an address or name change. You can pick
up a voter registration card at any of the sites listed above.
If you move to a different county in Ohio, you must report the change to your new
county Board of Elections by completing a new voter registration form.
What do I do if I forget to notify the Board of Elections that I moved?
If you are registered in Ohio and have moved, you may still vote even if you forget
to notify the Board of Elections. There are two options:
1. Go to your new polling place on election day. Fill out a new voter registration
card indicating your change of address, and vote.
2. If you are residing in Cuyahoga County, go to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections,
2925 Euclid Ave, during the absentee voting period or on election day and vote there.
TDD Assistance
The Ohio 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.
Do I have to choose a political party when I register to vote?
NO. You won’t be asked your party affiliation when you register to vote. It’s
not even on the form. The only time you have to declare a party is at a partisan
Primary Election. Even at a Primary, you may vote a nonpartisan ballot without declaring
a party. In this case, however, you will only get to vote on the ballot issues,
not the party candidates.
If I ask for a party ballot in the Primary Election, can
I vote for candidates of a different party in the November General Election?
Absolutely! You may vote for ANY candidates in November regardless of how you voted
in the Primary. Your ballot is secret. No one will know how you vote.
Do I have to vote on all the offices and issues on the ballot?
No. You may vote for as many or as few as you like. If you really only care or have
information about one candidate for one office on the entire ballot, you may vote
for that one person and leave the rest of the ballot blank!
Will I be called for jury duty if I register to vote?
Maybe. Some counties and municipalities use the list of registered voters to select
juries. Others use the list of drivers’ licenses to select juries. Either way,
the names chosen from the lists are at random, so you may or may not be selected.
How do I vote an absentee ballot?
Any registered voter may request an Day, absentee ballot. There are three ways to
do this:
1. During the month before the election, you may go to the county Board of Elections
and vote ahead of time. They will tell you how to do it.
2. You can call the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections at (216)443-3200 and request
an absentee ballot application. After you submit your application, your ballot will
be mailed to you.
3. You can write a letter to your county Board of Elections and ask them to mail
you an absentee ballot. Make certain you include your name, voting residence, address
where the Board of Elections should send the ballot, the name and date of the election
in which you want to vote absentee (e.g. General Election November 7, 2006).
BE SURE TO SIGN YOUR LETTER.
The Board of Elections needs your signature. Also let the Board of Elections know
what type of election you wish to vote in. If it is a primary election, you need
to tell them which party or type of ballot you need (ex. Republican, Democratic,
nonpartisan (issues) ballot only).
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR VOTING ABSENTEE:
Once you receive your absentee ballot, mark and return it. Read the instructions
carefully and start early, because the voted ballot must be back at the Board of
Elections by 7:30 p.m. on election day or it cannot be counted.
Three days before an election (that is noon Saturday before a Tuesday election)
is the last day the Board of Elections can accept a written request for an absentee
ballot for that election. If voting in person by absentee ballot, you may apply
until the close of regular business hours the day before the election. NOTE: The
absentee ballot request deadline is 3:00 p.m. on Election day only in the case of
medical emergencies. To be eligible for this you must be confined in a hospital
because of a medical emergency. For more information contact the Board of Elections
at (216)443-3200.
Now that I am registered, what happens next?
After you are registered, the Board of Elections will send you a card telling you
where your polling place is located. It will be a location near your home, for example,
a school, church, or community center. If you forget the location you can call the
Voter Information Center at (216)781-8376. We will be happy to help you. You do
not need to take your card with you to the polling place. You DO need to bring identification
When you report to your polling place, look for your ward and precinct number on
the front of the sign-in table. If you do not know it you can ask a Board of Elections
representative. The poll workers will guide you though the voting process if it
is your first time, or they will remind you of what you need to do if you have voted
before.
Give the poll workers your name and address. They will then have you sign the “poll
book” next to your name. The poll workers are there to help. If there is something
you don’t understand, just ask. They are equipped to show you how to use a punch
card properly. It is their job to make certain that you are able to vote a valid
SECRET ballot.
Persons who are physically or mentally disabled or illiterate may be assisted by
anyone of their own choice, except an employer or his agent, a union officer or
candidate whose name appears on the ballot. The voter may be assisted by two poll
workers, one from each party. No one who assists a voter may disclose any information
on how that person voted.
If you vote absentee, your ballot will come with detailed instructions. Read and
follow them carefully.
What is the “Elections Calendar”?
The elections calendar dictates when voting is to take place.
Primary Elections
In even numbered years Primary Elections are held on the first Tuesday after the
first Monday in May.In odd numbered years, the date for Primary Elections varies among municipalities.
For instance the nonpartisan primary election for Cleveland is held five Tuesdays
prior to the General Election.General Election
General Elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November
every year.
What time do the polls open and close?
Polls open on election day at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.
Who do we elect in what years?
In every even numbered year, we elect:
- All members of the US Congress (2 year term)
- All members of the Ohio House of Representatives (2 year term)
- Half the members of the Ohio Senate (4 year term)
- One third of the State School Board (6 year term)
- Two Ohio Supreme Court Justices. (6 year term)
- Some Court of Appeals Judges, Common Pleas Judges, County Judges (6 year terms)
In some even numbered years, we elect:
- United States Senator (6 year term)
- Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court (6 year term)
In even numbered years, divisible by 4 we elect:
- United States President and Vice President
- Most county officers
- Two County Commissioners
- Prosecuting Attorney
- Sheriff
- Coroner
- Treasurer
- Recorder
- Clerk of Courts
- Engineer
In even numbered years that are not divisible by 4 we elect:
- Governor and Lt. Governor
- Secretary of State
- Attorney General
- State Treasurer
- Auditor of State
- County Auditor
- One County Commissioner
In all odd-numbered years, we elect:
- Municipal officers
- City and Village Mayors
- Members of City Council
- Other officers depending on municipal charters
- Local boards of education
- Municipal court judges
- Township trustees and clerks
What if I need more help understanding the mechanics of voting?
Call the League of Women Voters VOTER INFORMATION HOTLINE at (216) 781-8376 We’ll
be happy to answer all your voting questions.
