All 7.8 million registered voters in Ohio will be sent an absentee ballot request form, beginning around Labor Day, for the upcoming election in November.

The Ohio Controlling Board authorized the use of federal dollars, allowing the Ohio Secretary of State's office to send the request forms. The forms are estimated to cost around $1.5 million, which will be covered entirely through federal funds and not through the state of Ohio, according to a release.

To participate in the November election, Ohioans must register to vote by October 5, 2020. Voters are encouraged to confirm or update their voter registration information at VoteOhio.gov, where they can also print out an absentee ballot request form and submit it immediately.

"For nearly a decade, Ohioans have received an absentee ballot request ahead of the Presidential and Gubernatorial General Election, and today's controlling board action ensures that will be the case again this year," said Frank LaRose, Ohio Secretary of State. "Sending the request – not the ballot – helps voters participate in the election and means each registered voter in Ohio can continue to choose one of three options available to them – early voting, absentee voting by mail, or voting in person on Election Day."