Does everyone have to be registered?

Yes, except for members of the armed forces serving on active duty. Their spouses and dependents are also exempt if they left Ohio to be near the service member.

• At any county board of elections or the Secretary of State’s office.

• At branch registration offices or locations established by a board of elections.
• At any public high school or vocational school.
• At the office of any Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
• At offices of designated agencies which provide public assistance or disability programs.
• Public libraries.
• By mail. You may request a registration form from a board of elections or the Secretary of State’s office by mail, telephone, in person or by having another person obtain it for you. After completing the form, return it to the board of elections or Secretary of State’s office by mail.

Mailed registration forms sent to a county board of election or the Secretary of State’s office must be postmarked 30 days before an election to be valid for the election.

Registration forms not mailed in must be received by a board of elections, the Secretary of State’s office, public high school or vocational school, public library, office of any Bureau of Motor Vehicles, county treasurer’s office or designated agencies 30 days before an election to be valid for that election.

Do I declare my politics when I register?

No. Under Ohio law, your party affiliation is determined by the ballot you vote in a primary election.

What if I change my address or name?

If you are now registered and move within the state or same county or change your name, you must report the change to the board of elections by completing a voter registration form at the locations stated above or by mail as stated above.

You may also complete a notice of change in voting status and file it with court when you apply for a marriage license or when your name is change by court order.

Mailed forms should be sent to a county board of elections or the Secretary of State’s office 30 days before an election.

Forms not mailed in should be received by a board of elections, the Secretary of State’s office, public high school or vocational school, public library, office of any Bureau of Motor Vehicles, county treasurer’s office or designated agencies 30 days before an election. If you do not report the change by the 30^th day before an election, please read "Exceptions" below.

Exceptions: If you change your name and/or move from one precinct to another in your county, you may report the change and vote by appearing at the board of elections during the absentee voting period; or on election day you may go to the polling place in the precinct in which you reside, the board of election or site designated by the board.

If you move from one county to another in the state, you may report the change and vote at the board of elections in the county in which you now reside during the absentee voting period, or on election day at the board of elections or site designated by the board.

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