Ohio voters begin receiving absentee ballot request forms

Editor’s note: This story corrects incorrect information provided to WKBN as to when postmarked ballots need to be received in order for votes to be counted.

(WKBN) – With just 68 days until the November general election, registered Ohio voters are beginning to receive absentee ballot request applications in the mail.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced Wednesday that since 2012, Ohio has mailed absentee ballot application forms to registered voters in every even-year general election. The application is then verified by bipartisan teams at a county board of elections and then a ballot is mailed to the voter.

Absentee ballots will be sent out Oct. 8 and can be returned by mail or hand-delivered to your local county board of elections.

Ohioans who choose to vote by absentee ballot must return their completed application form to their county board of elections to receive the absentee ballot for the November 5 general election.

LaRose advises voters to return the applications as soon as possible to allow the U.S. Postal Service enough time for processing.

Voters may be getting a lot of political mailings, and LaRose suggests they closely examine any mailings or forms they are filling out.

“…every Ohioan should be vigilant when completing any forms that are not labeled official election mail or from Ohio’s trusted source for election information, VoteOhio.gov,” LaRose said.

You can see a sample of an absentee ballot request form here.

In all, nearly 8 million registered Ohio voters will receive the absentee ballot application.

Tips for using the absentee ballot option:

• Double-check the information on your application. Review your ballot request to ensure you have filled it out properly, including writing the appropriate date, providing your required identifying information, and signing the form.

• Include your e-mail and/or phone number. Continuing a successful practice from the 2020 general election, county boards of elections will be calling or e-mailing voters who may need to remedy information on their ballot request form or absentee ballot envelope. Including your contact information will ensure you can be reached if your ballot application isn’t filled out properly.

• Don’t Wait. To accommodate necessary processing time at the county boards of elections and the time required for the U.S. Postal Service to deliver election mail, voters should not procrastinate – fill out and mail your absentee ballot request as soon as possible.

• Track your ballot. After your ballot request is received and fulfilled by your county board of elections, voters may track their ballot at VoteOhio.gov/Track . As long as your ballot is postmarked by the day before the election and received within four days after the election at your county board of elections, your vote will be counted.

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