OLRS Voter Alert: Register to Vote
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Note: The information in this voter alert applied to the March 4, 2008 primary election.

You are encouraged to exercise your right to vote. In order to vote in the upcoming Ohio primary election, you must be registered to vote. You must register to vote at least 30 days before the election. The deadline to register for the March primary is February 4, 2008. Act now!

This FAQ tells you how to register to vote, and how to know if you are eligible to vote.

Am I eligible to vote?

You are eligible to vote if:

• you are a U.S. citizen;
• 18 years old or older, including if you will be 18 by election day;
• you live in Ohio for at least 30 days before the election;
• you are not currently in jail for conviction of a felony; and
• you have not been found incompetent to vote through a specific finding and order of a probate judge regarding voting. A general finding of incompetency and guardianship does not take away the right to vote. An order must state that a person is not competent to vote. If it does not, the person can vote.

How do I apply to register to vote?

You can register to vote in person at any of these places:

• Agencies that provide public assistance or disability programs
• Public libraries
• Public high schools or vocational schools
• County board of elections
• Any deputy registrar of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
• The Office of the Ohio Secretary of State
• County treasurers' offices

You can also register by mail. Your registration must be postmarked February 4, 2008 for the primary election. You can print a voter registration application online from the Ohio Secretary of State's web site. See: Voter Registration Form [www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/publicAffairs/electionPubs.aspx?Section=1758]

If you need help to register, you can ask for assistance from your case manager, social worker, advocate, or other human services staff person.

What information do I need to fill out the voter registration application?

If you apply in person, you must provide:

• Your name, address, county where you live.
• Your signature or legal mark. Your legal mark can be made by using an assistive or mechanical device.
• Either your Ohio Driver's License number or the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. If you do not have a Driver's License or Social Security number, bring an alternative document that has your name and address: current valid photo identification card, military identification, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or government document. These documents should be accepted as proof of identity for the purposes of registering to vote.

If you register by mail and do not have a Driver's License or Social Security number, enclose a copy of one of the following that has your name and address: current valid photo identification card, military identification, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or government document.

How do I register to vote if I don't have a home address?

• You can give the address of a shelter if you use it regularly.
• You can give another address, for example, the address of a friend or family member, if you stay there regularly.
• The address you give will be the place that the county Board of Elections will send you mail.

What happens after I submit my application?

The County Board of Elections must register you to vote no later than 20 business days after receiving your application. The board must promptly mail a notice to the address on your application telling you that:

• you are registered to vote,
• where you will vote, and
• identification you need to bring with you on election day.

If the board does not accept your application to vote, it must immediately send you mail telling you:

• why your application was rejected, and
• ask you to provide the information the board needs to complete your application.

If you do not receive any notice, contact your County Board of Elections before Election Day and ask about your application.

If you have problems registering to vote

If you think you are eligible to vote and are having problems, call the Ohio Legal Rights Service Intake Department at (voice) 614-466-7264 or 1-800-282-9181; (TTY) 614-728-2553 or 1-800-858-3542.

Important dates to remember

• Tuesday, March 4: primary election. Voters choose candidates who will be on the ballot in the general election. This year voters will choose candidates to run for the U.S. President. Statewide or local issues may also be up for a vote. In order to vote in the primary election, you must register to vote by Monday, February 4, 2008.
• Tuesday, November 11: general election. Voters choose elected officials. Statewide or local issues may also be up for a vote. In order to vote in the general election, you must register to vote by Monday, October 6, 2008.

You may also download a PDF version of this Voter Alert: Register to Vote Frequently Asked Questions (PDF file)

To view and print PDF documents, you need to have Adobe® Reader®, a free software program, installed on your computer. Download Adobe® Reader®

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Article posted January 18, 2008

• Voting