FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

About Registering to Vote
About How to Vote
About Absentee Voting
About Student Absentee Voting
About Absentee Voting for U.S. Armed Forces Members
How old do I have to be to vote?

Questions Frequently Asked On Election Day

Questions Frequently Asked At the Polling Place

Why should I register to vote?

No right we possess as American citizens is as dear as that of the secret ballot. 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.

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 and 18 years old on or before the November General election to vote in a Primary for Candidates only.

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.

• Secretary of State address is 180 East Broad Street, Columbus Shelby County Board of Elections office at 230 E. Court Street, Sidney
• The office of the Secretary of State of Ohio, or the Secretary of State Client Services Center, 30 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio
• The Shelby County Board of Elections office at 129 E. Court St, Sidney, Ohio.
• Any Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles office or BMV registrar
• Any public or vocational school
• Public libraries
• Any county treasurer's office
• 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 your county board of elections.

Persons registering by mail after January 1, 2004, must provide identification information when attempting to vote for the first time, unless the person provides his/her current Ohio driver’s license number or the last four digits of his/her social security number on the registration form. The identification information is either:

• a copy of a current and valid photo identification; or
  
• a copy of a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document showing name and address.

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 I consider 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 your county board of elections for information specific to your situation.

Can I register to vote if I am a felon?

Yes, if you are not currently incarcerated.

Can a homeless 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 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 your local board of elections

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How do I find out where to go to vote?

Only your 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 your county precinct.

How do I find out if my polling place has moved?

Contact your board of elections in your county. 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.

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 your 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 moved within my county on Election Day?

Yes, if you are registered. You may:

1. go to your new polling location, or
2. go to your county board of elections office, or
3. go to another site designated by your county board of elections. You must complete and sign A Notice of Change of Address (and make other changes, if applicable), and
4. vote a provisional ballot.

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:

1. go to the county board of elections office in your NEW COUNTY during regular office hours, complete and sign a new voter registration form, and
2. vote a provisional ballot.

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.

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How do I get an absentee ballot?

An absentee ballot may be requested by visiting or writing to your county board of elections.

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What does "voting residence" mean as far as students are concerned?

It means the residence you claim as your home and the residence you claim which qualifies you to vote on a particular ballot. If you are uncertain of what residence to use as your qualifying residence for voting purposes, you should consult with your parents because each consideration of home may be different for each student.

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.

I am a student at college in Ohio and I can't seem to meet the deadline for getting the absentee ballot mailed to me at college in Ohio. Can I just register to vote in the county where I attend college?

The county in which you are registered to vote is based on where you consider your home to be. If you consider the county where you attend college to be your home, you may register to vote in that county.

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.

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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 your local county board of elections:

• your name and Ohio voting address,
• a statement that you are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, or that you are the spouse or dependent of a service member,
• the election for which you are requesting the absentee ballot,
• your party choice (if the election is a primary) or that you want an issues only ballot,
• the address where you want your ballot sent,
• your signature, or the signature of the person requesting the ballot.

How can I get to be a poll worker on Election Day?

You may call your county board of elections office if you are interested in these paid or volunteer positions that may be right in your neighborhood. Everyone is encouraged to participate in our electoral process.

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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 Shelby County Board of Elections. Only your 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 form at least thirty (30) days before the election.

Can I make changes to my voter registration information at the polls on Election Day when I go to vote?

Yes.

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I made a mistake. Can I vote again?

Yes. If you made an error while voting, let a poll worker know it. They can assist you in recasting your vote properly.

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. If you can, before the election, contact your county board of elections and ask for written instructions on how to use the equipment if you do not know how or feel less than confident in using it.

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.

How do I get to the polls to vote if I don't have a way to get there?

Your county board of elections can advise you. Also, local political party offices, the local League of Women Voters, veteran's organizations and many other community resources will be able to advise and are located in the phone book or are announced in the media on Election Day.

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 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.