Ohio’s general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Whether you vote early, by mail, or on Election Day, here’s everything you need to make your plan.
Key Dates
October 5: Voter registration deadline (online, by mail postmark, or in person by 9 p.m.)
October 6: Early in-person voting begins
October 27: Deadline for your board of elections to receive your vote-by-mail application (8:30 p.m.)
November 1: Last day of early in-person voting
November 3: Election Day. Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mailed ballots must be received by your board of elections, and hand-delivered ballots must be turned in by 7:30 p.m.
Register to Vote
The deadline to register is Monday, October 5, 2026.
Online: Register or update your address on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. You’ll need your Ohio driver’s license or state ID number, your name, date of birth, address, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
By mail: Mail a completed and signed registration form to your county board of elections or the Secretary of State’s office. It must be postmarked by October 5. Mail it at least a week early to be safe. You’ll need to provide your Ohio driver’s license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
In person: County boards of elections and the Secretary of State’s office are open until 9 p.m. on October 5. You can also pick up a registration form, fill it out, and turn it in at BMV offices, public libraries, public high schools and vocational schools, county treasurers’ offices, and other designated state agencies.
Vote Early In Person
Any registered Ohio voter can vote early from October 6 through November 1 at their county’s early voting location.
Early voting hours
October 6–9: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
October 12–16: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
October 19–23: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, October 24: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
October 26: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
October 27: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
October 28–30: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 31: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, November 1: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Find your early voting location at IWillVote.com/Ohio. Bring an approved photo ID (see below).
Vote by Mail
Any registered Ohio voter can vote by mail. No excuse is needed.
Step 1: Request your ballot. Fill out an absentee ballot application at IWillVote.com/Ohio or on the Secretary of State’s website. Select the November 3, 2026 General Election, then print, sign, and mail the application to your county board of elections. Your board of elections must receive it by 8:30 p.m. on October 27. Apply as early as you can.
Step 2: Complete your ballot.
- Read the instructions that come with your ballot.
- Fill out your ballot.
- Seal it inside the identification envelope.
- Sign the back of the identification envelope. Your ballot will not be counted without your signature.
- Place the identification envelope inside the return envelope. ID must be provided on the envelope for the ballot to be counted.
- *Remember to provide sufficient postage
Step 3: Return your ballot.
- By mail: Your ballot must be received by your board of elections by November 3. A postmark is not enough. Mail it at least one week before Election Day.
- In person: Drop it off at your county board of elections office or its drop box by 7:30 p.m. on November 3. Call your county board of elections or visit its website to confirm the drop box location.
Only you, your spouse, your child, or a near relative may return your ballot for you. A family member returning your ballot must fill out the required form.
Military and overseas voters, voters who are hospitalized, and voters with disabilities can find the right absentee request forms at IWillVote.com/Ohio.
Vote on Election Day
Vote at your assigned polling place on Tuesday, November 3, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you’re in line by 7:30 p.m., you can vote. Polling places can change, so confirm yours before you go.
Bring Your Photo ID
Ohio requires photo ID to vote in person. Accepted IDs:
- Ohio driver’s license
- State of Ohio ID card
- Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV
- U.S. passport or passport card
- U.S. military ID card
- Ohio National Guard ID card
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card
Your ID must show your photo and your name, and it must not be expired. The address does not need to match your current address. A suspended driver’s license still works as long as it isn’t expired.
Digital or photocopied IDs are not accepted, except the VA’s Veteran ID Card, which is now issued only in digital form. Tribal IDs are not accepted.
No ID? The Ohio BMV offers state ID cards free of charge to Ohioans 17 and older.
ODP-Endorsed Candidates
The Ohio Democratic Party is proud to endorse these candidates on the November 3 ballot:
Vote Dr. Amy Acton for Governor and David Pepper for Lt. Governor. Amy will tackle rising costs, stand up to the corporate special interests and billionaires trying to buy Ohio, and put working families first.
Vote Allison Russo for Secretary of State. Allison will restore trust in our elections, protect Ohioans’ personal data, and make sure Ohio’s government is accountable to the people it serves.
Vote John Kulewicz for Attorney General. John will take on corruption in Columbus, root out waste and fraud, and hold bad actors accountable.
Vote Seth Walsh for Treasurer. Seth will invest in Ohio communities so that all Ohioans can thrive.
Vote Annette Blackwell for Auditor. Annette will safeguard Ohioans’ tax dollars and make government more efficient, effective, and transparent.
Vote Justice Jennifer Brunner for reelection to the Ohio Supreme Court. Justice Brunner will protect Ohioans’ freedoms, uphold the will of voters, and safeguard the rule of law.
Vote Judge Marilyn Zayas for Ohio Supreme Court. Judge Zayas will bring common sense and accountability to the state’s highest court.
Questions About Voting?
Call the voter hotline at 833-336-8683 or visit IWillVote.com/Ohio.
ODP encourages all qualified persons to vote in the November 3, 2026 Ohio general election for the party’s endorsed candidates. Information on options for early in-person voting, voting by mail, and voting at the polls can be found here: IWillVote.com/Ohio