Voter Registration - FAQs
How can I register?
- At any county Board of Elections or the Secretary of State's office.
- At any public high school or vocational school or college.
- At the offices of designated agencies which provide public assistance or disability programs.
- Public libraries.
- County Treasurer's office.
- By mail. You may request a registration form from a Board of Elections or the Secretary of State's office by mail, telephone, in person or by having another person obtain it for you. After completing the form, return it to the Board of Elections or Secretary of State's office by mail.
Registration forms mailed to a county Board of Elections or to the Secretary of State's office must be postmarked 30 days before an election to be valid.
Registration forms not mailed must be received by a Board of Elections, the Secretary of State's office, office of any Bureau of Motor Vehicles or designated agencies 30 days before an election to be valid. You will be notified by mail, from the Board of Elections, of your new polling place. Please allow four weeks for the notification.
Do I declare my politics when I register?
No. Under Ohio Law, your party affiliation is determined by the ballot you vote in a Primary Election.
What if I change my address or name?
If you are now registered and move within the state or same county or change your name, you must report the change to the Board of Elections. You may report the change:
- By mail on a registration form.
- At any county Board of Elections or the Secretary of State's office.
- At any public high school or vocational school or college.
- At offices of designated agencies which provide public assistance or disability programs.
- At any public library.
- At the county treasurer's office.
- By completing a notice of change in voting status and filing it with the court when you apply for a marriage license or when your name is changed by court order.
- Forms mailed to a county Board of Elections or the Secretary of State's office must be postmarked 30 days before an election to be valid.
- Forms not mailed must be received by the Board of Elections, the Secretary of State's office, any Bureau of Motor Vehicles or designated agencies 30 days before an election to be valid.
Exceptions: If you change your name, move within your precinct or move from one precinct to another in Franklin County, you may report the change and vote by appearing at the Board of Elections during the absentee voting period; or on Election Day you may go to the polling place for the precinct in which you reside, or the Board of Elections.
If you move from one county to another within the state, you may report the change and vote during the absentee period at the Board of Elections in the county in which you now reside or at the Board of Elections or your new polling place on Election Day.
What are the qualifications to vote?
- You are a citizen of the United States.
- You are at least 18 years old on the day of the election at which you seek to vote.
- If you will be 18 on or before November 4, 2008 you may vote in the primary election. You may vote for candidates only and not issues.
- You have been a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days before the election.
How is residence determined?
- By law your residence is the place to which, whenever you are absent, you have the intent to return. Leaving for temporary purposes, such as military service or school attendance, does not result in change of residence for voting purposes, unless you register in the area where you are currently residing.
Can a student vote from his/her school address?
- Yes, if the student regards that place as his/her residence and registers to vote. Otherwise, the student must vote in his/her home community if registered.
Can I register to vote online?
- No. However, you may access an online registration form, which you must print, complete, sign and mail to the Franklin County Board of Elections, 280 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215-4572.
Does everyone have to be registered?
Voter Registration