Ohio election FAQ. What to bring, who's running and where to vote

• Ohio polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.
• Voters must present an unexpired, acceptable form of photo ID, such as an Ohio driver's license or a U.S. passport.
• Voters can find their specific polling location and view a sample ballot on the Ohio secretary of state's website.

Ohio voters will choose a governor, a U.S. senator and other state and local leaders Nov. 3. Before heading to the polls, you'll need to know where to go, what identification to bring and what decisions await.

With early voting entering its final days, here are answers to some common questions about Ohio's general election.

When is Election Day? What time do polls open in Ohio?

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Ohio polling places will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Anyone in line by 7:30 p.m. has the right to vote, even if they have not reached the check-in table before polls close.

Where do I vote?

On Election Day, voters must go to their assigned polling place. Check your location through the Ohio Secretary of State's election website or contact your county board of elections before leaving home.

Early voting takes place at your county's designated early voting location, which may differ from your Election Day polling place.

What identification do I need to bring to vote in Ohio?

Ohio requires an acceptable, unexpired photo ID to vote in person. Accepted forms include:

• An Ohio driver's license, state ID card or interim identification form issued by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
• A U.S. passport or passport card.
• A U.S. military ID, military dependent ID, Ohio National Guard ID or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID.

Utility bills, bank statements, Social Security cards and out-of-state driver's licenses do not qualify. Ohio Mobile ID is also not accepted, so bring your physical identification.

A license or photo ID marked "NONCITIZEN" must be accompanied by additional proof of citizenship, according to the Secretary of State's office.

What if I don't have an acceptable photo ID?

You can cast a provisional ballot. For it to be eligible to count, you must present an acceptable ID to your county board of elections within four days after Election Day. That deadline is Nov. 7.

A separate affidavit process is available for voters who lack photo identification because of a religious objection to being photographed.

Can I still vote early?

Yes. Early in-person voting continues from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. There is no early in-person voting on Nov. 2.

Franklin County's early voting location is the board of elections at 1700 Morse Road in Columbus. Voters in other counties should check with their local board of elections.

Can I still request an absentee ballot?

The regular deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot was Oct. 27. That was the application deadline, not the deadline to return a completed ballot.

For most voters, completed absentee ballots must reach the county board of elections by 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3. A postmark alone does not meet the deadline.

Voters can return their own ballots directly to their county board of elections or its designated drop box. Track your ballot through the Secretary of State's elections website.

Different rules apply to military and overseas voters, whose mailed ballots must arrive by Nov. 7.

What if I requested an absentee ballot but want to vote at the polls?

If you requested an absentee ballot and instead vote in person on Election Day, you must cast a provisional ballot.

Election officials will check that your absentee ballot was not returned or counted before counting your provisional vote.

What are the biggest races on Ohio's ballot?

Statewide contests include (candidates are listed alphabetically by last name):

• Governor and lieutenant governor: Democrat Amy Acton and running mate David Pepper; Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and running mate Robert McColley; and Libertarian Don Kissick and running mate James Mills.
• U.S. Senate: Republican Jon Husted, Democrat Sherrod Brown, Libertarian William Redpath and socialist Greg Levy.
• Attorney general: Republican Keith Faber and Democrat John Kulewicz.
• Secretary of State: Democrat Allison Russo, Republican Robert Sprague and Libertarian Tom Pruss.
• Auditor: Democrat Annette Blackwell and Republican Frank LaRose.
• Treasurer: Republican Jay Edwards and Democrat Seth Walsh.
• Ohio Supreme Court: Republican Daniel Hawkins and Democrat Marilyn Zayas compete for one seat; Democrat Jennifer Brunner and Republican Colleen O’Donnell compete for another.

Voters will also decide U.S. House, Ohio legislative and local contests based on where they live.

In Franklin County, congressional races include Democrat Joyce Beatty and Republican Cleophus Dulaney in the 3rd District. The 15th District’s listed candidates include Republican Mike Carey, Democrat Don Leonard, Libertarian Brennan Barrington and nonpartisan candidate Gary Josephson. Certified write-in candidates also appear on the county’s candidate list.

You can read more about contested and competitive central Ohio races in the Dispatch voter guide at dispatch.com/voterguide2026.

What issues are on the ballot? How do I find my sample ballot?

State Issue 3 asks whether Ohio should place a photo identification requirement for voting in the state constitution. Ohio already requires photo identification for in-person voting under state law. Enshrining the policy in the state constitution would make it harder to change in the future.

Local questions vary by address. Franklin County ballots include school funding proposals, public safety levies and municipal charter amendments, among other issues.

To see the candidates and issues you can vote on, use the Secretary of State’s sample ballot directory. Select your county and follow the instructions to find your ballot.

What do election observers do in Ohio? Will DOJ monitors be here?

Election observers watch parts of the voting and counting process. Under Ohio law, they can be appointed by political parties with candidates on the ballot, groups of five or more candidates, or recognized committees supporting or opposing a ballot issue. They must complete the required appointment process and take an oath before serving.

Observers cannot handle ballots or voting equipment, campaign, block voters, intimidate anyone or interfere with poll workers. They may report concerns to election officials, but they do not enforce election laws or assist voters.

At an Oct. 27 Ohio Secretary of State press conference, officials said Cuyahoga, Franklin and Medina counties were expecting U.S. Department of Justice election monitors.

Those federal monitors serve a different role from observers appointed under Ohio law. The Justice Department uses attorneys and staff to assess compliance with federal voting rights laws. Federal observers appointed through a court-authorized process are another distinct category.

Letters sent to the three counties said Justice Department monitors would observe election operations without interfering with voting, according to reporting by the Statehouse News Bureau. The letters cited compliance with federal voting and accessibility laws; they did not explain why those counties were selected.

Franklin County Board of Elections Director Antone White told The Dispatch that Justice Department observers coming to Franklin County will be permitted to observe outside the 100-foot perimeter of polling location entrances.

What if I need help voting or encounter a problem?

Tell a poll worker if you need assistance marking your ballot. Accessible voting equipment is available, and voters whose disabilities prevent them from entering a polling location can request curbside voting.

For questions about your registration, polling location or ballot, contact your county board of elections or the Ohio Secretary of State’s office at 877-767-6446. If someone interferes with your ability to vote, notify a poll worker or election official immediately.

Trending reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at [email protected].