Here is important information you need to know before heading the polls on Tuesday, Nov 8.

On election night, polls will close at 7:30 p.m. but do not fret if you find yourself waiting in line once the closing time arrives.

Voters can cast their ballots as long as they are in line by closing time. After all ballots have been placed, county boards of elections will begin its tabulation of votes for the candidates 

Before placing your ballot, there are some important factors to consider:

  • Nov 5.  Deadline to request an absentee ballot and application (noon).
  • Nov 7: Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by this date.
  • Nov 8: General Election: Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Nov 8: Absentee ballots may be returned by mail or personally delivered to your county board of elections. If not returned by mail, absentee ballots must be received by your board of elections by 7:30 p.m.
  • Nov 18: Last day for boards to receive mail-in ballots that have been postmarked on or before Nov 7.
  • Non-expired photo ID
  • military ID
  • Utility bill
  • Bank statement 
  • Government check 
  • Paycheck
  • Here are some

Passport, social security card, insurance card, out-of-state photo ID and birth certificates--unless voter still lives at the house where they resided at birth--are unacceptable forms of identification for voting. 

To request an absentee ballot, voters can pick from one of three options. 

  • Print a request and send it to your county board of elections.
  • Have an application mailed to you by your board of elections.
  • Make your own application and mail it in.

Absentee ballots are the first ballots counted on election night. 

If an Ohioan is unable to cast a ballot on election day due to hospitalization, there are several ways to submit your ballot.  

  • You must submit a completed and signed request to the board of elections of the county in which your voting residence is located by 3 p.m. on Nov. 8
  • If you or a child is hospitalized in the same county they are registered in, two representatives of the board of elections can deliver the ballot to you and wait for the voter to mark it and return the voted ballot to the board office. 
  • Request the board of elections to give unmarked ballot to a family member-excluding a cousin- to deliver ballot to you in the hospital and return it to the board office. 

The Help Americans Vote act protects voting rights for people with disabilities and several rights to remember upon arrival at the polling place. 

  • Allowed help from poll worker 
  • Curbside voting 
  • Plentiful time to vote 

If a voter is confined to a nursing home, their ballot can be delivered to them by the county board of elections or they can opt to vote with a mail-in ballot. 

Early voting ends Nov 7 at 2 p.m. 

Stay connected and updated with 2022 election coverage by downloading the 21 News app or following on social media.  Tuesday night, tune in to 21 News is your one-stop source with the most vital information for Ohio voters, on TV, on web, and on our social media platforms.