Click the question to find the answer.
VOTING ON ELECTION DAY
What time are the polls open?
Where is my polling place?
What type of identification do I need to bring to the polls?
What if I forget to bring my identification, can I still vote?
If my polling location uses touchscreen machines for voting, can I request a paper ballot?
What happens if I make a mistake while filling out a paper ballot?
What happens if I am in a very long line at the polls?
What should I do if the poll worker cannot find my name in the poll books?
What happens if I show up to vote at the wrong precinct?
If I've changed my name or moved since I last voted, can I still vote?
Can anyone challenge my ability to vote at the polls?
If I have to vote a provisional ballot, will it count?
Will the polling locations make special accommodations for my disability?
Can I have someone help me vote?
Can I bring my sample ballot into the voting location?
I am confined to the hospital (or my child is hospitalized) as a result of an unforeseen emergency on Election Day. Can I still vote?
Who should I notify if I have problems at my polling location?
What happens if I am waiting in line when the polls close at 7:30?
What if I have another question not answered here?
PROTECTING YOUR VOTE
What should I do if someone attempts to intimidate me when I go to vote?
I received a telephone call (or other communication) about my voting location or voting eligibility, what should I do?
Were people taken off of the rolls if they haven't voted since 2008?
How can I volunteer to help in the Democratic Party's voter protection efforts?
What if I have another question not answered here?
VOTING ON ELECTION DAY
What time are the polls open?
On November 6, 2012, the polls are open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. If you are in line when the polls close, you have the right to vote.
Where is my polling place?
Find your polling location here, or call your local board of elections.
What type of identification do I need to bring to the polls?
There are several forms of identification you can bring to the polls:
• Ohio Driver's License or Ohio Photo ID Card that is valid and unexpired (even if it shows a former address that doesn't match the registration address in the poll book); or
• Military ID that shows your name (does not need to show address); or
• Federal Photo ID that has your name, current address, and is not expired (NOT a passport); or
• A utility bill (including ones issued by any college or university), bank statement, government check, payroll check, or other government document. NOTE: Make sure these show your name and current address and were issued within a year of Election Day.
Notices mailed to you by a Board of Elections MAY NOT be used as voting ID.
**If you're not sure you have valid identification, call the Voter Protection Hotline at 855-VOTE-199 or email voterprotection@ofaoh.com.
What if I forget to bring my identification, can I still vote?
Yes, you can vote a provisional ballot. If you know the last four digits of your social security number, you can put that on your provisional ballot. Otherwise, you may need to bring your identification to the board of elections within the ten days after Election Day for your provisional ballot to count. Let our voter protection center know if you had to vote a provisional ballot, and we'll help you! (Call 855-VOTE-199 or email voterprotection@ofaoh.com)
If my polling location uses touchscreen machines for voting, can I request a paper ballot?
The Secretary of State has issued a directive requiring all boards of elections that use touchscreen voting machines to make paper ballots available in the event of long lines or machine breakdowns. The directive does not require a "paper or plastic" option. However, most boards of election make a paper ballot available even if there is not a long line or machine breakdown---so just ask.
What happens if I make a mistake while filling out a paper ballot?
Ask a poll worker for a new ballot. The poll worker will take your "spoiled" ballot and mark it so it will not count. You cannot receive more than three ballots.
What happens if I am in a very long line at the polls?
If there is a very long line at the polls, the poll workers should make paper ballots available. If the poll workers are not giving paper ballots, contact a voter protection observer at your polling place or call the voter hotline at 855-VOTE-199.
What should I do if the poll worker cannot find my name in the poll books?
If the poll worker cannot find your name in the poll books, he or she should check to make sure you are at the correct polling location and precinct. If you are at the correct place, you must be allowed to vote a provisional ballot. Let our voter protection center know if you had to vote a provisional ballot, and we'll help you! (Call 855-VOTE-199 or email voterprotection@ofaoh.com)
What happens if I show up to vote at the wrong precinct?
The poll worker should direct you to the correct precinct. Make sure you vote in the correct place! If you need help finding your polling location, click here.
If I've changed my name or moved since I last voted, can I still vote?
You can update your voting address and name online! Do it by October 9! Click here to do it now. If you moved within Ohio or changed your name and fail to update your registration, you can still vote early or vote on Election Day. If you moved within the same precinct, or changed your name, you can still vote a regular ballot if you fill out a change of address form and show identification with your current address. If you moved precincts or counties, then you will have to cast a provisional ballot—but fill out the relevant information and it should count. Don't let this deter you—GO VOTE!
Can anyone challenge my ability to vote at the polls?
No. Only a poll worker can challenge your eligibility to vote on Election Day. If a poll worker challenges your eligibility to vote, he or she will first administer an oath, asking you to swear that you will answer a series a questions truthfully. Then the poll worker may ask you questions about (1) your citizenship status; (2) your age; (3) your residency in the precinct; or (4) your residency in Ohio. As a general matter, after answering these questions demonstrating one's eligibility to vote, a challenged voter is given a regular ballot. Usually, a challenged voter will only have to casts a provisional ballot if he or she refuses to answer fully any question, is unable to answer the questions as they were answered on the registration form, or for any other reason a majority of the judges believe the person is not entitled to vote. If you are challenged at the polls, ask a voter protection observer for information about your rights. And call the voter protection hotline at 855-VOTE-199 to report the challenge.
If I have to vote a provisional ballot, will it count?
There are a series of complicated rules about when provisional ballots count. Call the Voter Protection Hotline (855-VOTE-199) for help! Make sure you follow-up with the board of elections within 10 days by bringing any required identification information that a poll worker tells you is necessary to count your provisional ballot!
Will the polling locations make special accommodations for my disability?
All polling locations are required to have voting options that comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act. In addition, if you are unable to come into the polling location because of a disability, you have the right to vote from within the vehicle that brought you to the polling location or at the door of the polling place. Poll workers will assist you. Have someone notify the poll workers in the polling location that you cannot come inside.
Can I have someone help me vote?
If you cannot read or write, or have a disability, you have the right to request special assistance from anyone except your employer, an agent of your employer, or an officer or agent of your union.
Can I bring my sample ballot into the voting location?
Yes, you can bring your sample ballot into the polling location. But you cannot engage in any electioneering behavior in the polling location (or within 100ft). You cannot pass out sample ballots in this area or otherwise promote your candidate.
I am confined to the hospital (or my child is hospitalized) as a result of an unforeseen emergency on Election Day. Can I still vote?
Yes. You must submit a request to your board of elections by 3:00 p.m. on Election Day. In your request, specify where you (or your child) is hospitalized, the reason for the hospitalization, and when the hospitalization began. If approved, two representatives from the board of elections will deliver you a ballot, wait while you mark it, and then return it to be board office.
Who should I notify if I have problems at my polling location?
At many polling locations, there will be an in-precinct poll observer from Ohio Promote the Vote who can help you resolve your problems. You can also call the Voter Protection Hotline at 855-VOTE-199.
What happens if I am waiting in line when the polls close at 7:30?
You have the right to vote if you are in line at 7:30. Don't leave!
What if I have another question not answered here?
Please call the Voter Protection Hotline at 855-VOTE-199 (855-868-3199) or email voterprotection@ofaoh.com. We will get back to you as soon as possible!
PROTECTING YOUR VOTE
What should I do if someone attempts to intimidate me when I go to vote?
You have the right to vote without being intimated or forced to vote for someone you do not want to vote for. Offering money or other inducements to vote for a particular candidate is also illegal. Contact our team at 855-VOTE-199 to report any incidents of voter intimidation.
I received a telephone call (or other communication) about my voting location or voting eligibility, what should I do?
Beware of misinformation! If you are not sure that the call is from a legitimate source or giving you accurate information, call the Voter Protection Hotline 855-VOTE-199 or email voterprotection@ofaoh.com. We want to know so voters are not confused. Boards of election may sometimes call to confirm voting information, but be sure you are speaking with a board of elections official. You can always check your voting registration by clicking here and polling location by clicking here. Don't be misled!
Were people taken off of the rolls if they haven't voted since 2008?
Failure to vote since 2008 is not a valid reason for being removed from the polls. If you have been improperly removed from the registration list, make sure to reregister before October 9. If it is after October 9, please contact the Voter Protection Hotline at 855-VOTE-199 or email voterprotection@ofaoh.com and be sure to cast a provisional ballot on Election Day.
How can I volunteer to help in the Democratic Party's voter protection efforts?
If you are a lawyer or other interested person who wants to help with the Democratic Party's voter protection efforts, please sign up here.
What if I have another question not answered here?
Please call the Voter Protection Hotline at 855-VOTE-199 (855-868-3199) or email voterprotection@ofaoh.com. We will get back to you as soon as possible!
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