How to Register to Vote in Ohio

Registering Online

Gather documents that prove your identity and address. To register to vote in the state of Ohio, you need to provide various information that proves your identity to the Secretary of State’s office. To that end, gather or look up: The last 4 digits of your Social Security number (SSN) Your name and date of birth Your home address Your Ohio driver’s license or other state-issued identification

Navigate to the Ohio Secretary of State’s website to begin. Voter registration in Ohio is handled by the Secretary of State’s office. If you have a computer, smartphone, or tablet, it’s quick and easy to register online. Begin at: https://olvr.ohiosos.gov/. Click the link at the bottom of the page that says “Let’s Get Started.” You can also register to vote for free at vote.org. The website will send you various notifications about upcoming elections if you register through them. Start the process at: https://www.vote.org/register-to-vote/ohio/.

Complete the web forms with your personal info and address. As you click through the voter registration web pages, you’ll be asked to confirm your voter eligibility and to provide your name, date of birth, and the number on your Ohio driver’s license. Click “Continue” to move on once you’ve filled out a page. If you realize that you made a mistake on a previous page, you can always click the “Back” button. Avoid clicking on your browser’s back arrow.

Confirm and submit your information to register to vote. The last web page will ask you to review all of the personal information that you’ve provided. Check through everything to make sure you gave accurate information and didn’t include any typos. Once you’ve finished, submit the form to the Secretary of State office. Within 3–4 days of submitting the online form, you’ll receive an email informing you that you are registered to vote in Ohio.

Registering through the Mail

Obtain a voter registration form at any public building. In Ohio, it’s easy to obtain a copy of the registration paperwork. Visit any public library, any of the 88 county boards of elections, the office of the Secretary of State, or any public high school. Speak to someone at the main desk or secretarial office and ask for a copy of the voter registration form. If you don’t live near to any public buildings, you can download a PDF copy of the registration form online at: https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/elections/forms/vr_form_english.pdf. You must print the form, though; it cannot be filled out online.

Fill out the entire form in blue or black ink. Provide your name, address, and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. Write in either your Ohio Driver’s License number or the last 4 digits of your SSN; you don’t need to provide both numbers. Also select your county with the online PDF’s drop-down menu. Sign and date the form once you’ve filled it out. Write as legibly as possible. If the official who receives the form cannot read your handwriting, they won’t be able to register you to vote.

Enclose a copy of your ID if you don’t specify your SSN. If you don’t include either the last 4 digits of your SSN or the number of your Ohio driver’s license, your registration will be incomplete. You can remedy this by including a copy of your current valid photo ID or a copy of your military ID. If you don’t have either of these items, just include a copy of a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government check with your name and address on it. Do not send in your actual ID or actual utility bill! The state will not return it.

Mail the completed paperwork to your local county board of elections. If you prefer not to mail your voter registration paperwork, you can deliver the completed form by hand. Just bring it to your home county’s board of elections. Make sure to mail it early enough so the paperwork arrives at least 30 days prior to the next upcoming election to make sure you’re registered in time to vote. If you’re not sure where your local county board of elections is located, you can find out online. Just search for your home county at: https://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/elections-officials/county-boards-of-elections-directory/.

Deliver the completed paperwork by hand if you live nearby. If you live close to the county board of elections, or if you prefer not to deliver your voter registration by mail, you can drop off the paperwork in person. Give the form to an administrative assistant or other state employee who handles voter-registration issues. If you’re too busy (or feeling under the weather), ask someone else to drop the registration form off on your behalf.

Changing Your Voter Registration Information

Check your voter registration status online before making changes. Before changing your Ohio voter registration status, it’s a smart idea to check your current voter registration status. You may find that you’re registered at the wrong address or that some other error was made in your personal information. Find out if you’re registered to vote in Ohio at: https://voterlookup.ohiosos.gov/voterlookup.aspx.

Download and print the voter registration PDF. Visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s website and download a copy of the voter registration paperwork. This is the same form that you can use to register to vote. However, if you’re changing your registration, you’ll fill out a couple boxes that aren’t used in ordinary registration. Find the form at: https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/elections/forms/vr_form_english.pdf. Or if you prefer, you can visit any government building—including your local county board of elections—and ask for a copy of the registration paperwork. Just make sure that it has a box you can check to indicate that you’re changing your registration and not registering for the first time.

Indicate what’s changed for you and fill out the registration form. With a blue or black ink pen, check the box that says “Updating my address,” “Updating my name,” or both boxes, depending on your individual case. Fill out the entire form. If you’re changing your address, include your previous address where indicated. Or, if you’re changing your name, write out your prior name where indicated. Write as neatly as possible so that the person entering your information can read it.

Mail or deliver the form to your local county board of elections. Once you’ve completed the paperwork, stick it in an envelope and mail it to your home county’s board of elections office. Or, if you prefer to deliver it in person, visit the board of elections and give your form to a voter-registration employee. Find your county’s board of elections online at: https://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/elections-officials/county-boards-of-elections-directory/. Make sure that the paperwork is at the elections office at least 30 days before the next election so your registration is changed in time for you to vote.