Voting in Ohio: Key Dates and Official Resources

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The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Any registered Ohio voter can vote absentee by mail (no excuse needed) or vote early in person. Important: for this election, mailed absentee ballots must be RECEIVED by the board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. A postmark alone is not enough.

Key Dates and Deadlines

  • Voter registration deadline: Monday, October 5, 2026 (passed). Boards of elections were open until 9 p.m. Ohio has no same-day registration
  • Early in-person voting: Tuesday, October 6 – Sunday, November 1, 2026 at your county board of elections or early vote center
  • Early voting hours (remaining): Oct 19–23: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sat Oct 24: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; Mon Oct 26: 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.; Tue Oct 27: 7:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; Oct 28–30: 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.; Sat Oct 31: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sun Nov 1: 1–5 p.m.
  • Absentee ballot application deadline: Must be RECEIVED by your county board of elections by 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 27, 2026
  • Absentee ballot return (mail): Must be RECEIVED by your county board of elections by 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Mail early to allow for postal delivery. Military and overseas (UOCAVA) voters have a later receipt deadline; see the official voting schedule
  • Absentee ballot return (in person / drop box): You (or a near relative) can deliver it to your county board of elections, or put it in the board's secure drop box (voter's own ballot only), by 7:30 p.m. on November 3
  • Election Day hours: 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at your assigned precinct polling place. If you are in line by 7:30 p.m., you can vote
  • ID requirements: Valid, unexpired photo ID: Ohio driver license, State of Ohio ID card, BMV interim ID form, U.S. passport or passport card, U.S. military or military dependent ID, Ohio National Guard ID, or VA ID card. Without one you can vote provisionally and show ID to the board within 4 days after the election. Absentee voters give their driver license number, last 4 of SSN, or a copy of ID

Official Ohio Election Resources

Please confirm: Election rules and deadlines can change. Always confirm dates, hours, and locations with official Ohio election sources or your county election office before you vote.

Information compiled from official state election websites as of October 19, 2026.