Request Registration/Absentee Ballot

Fill out the Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request

You may be already registered to vote. To check, go to Ohio's voter registration verification website. Even if you are registered to vote, you still need to complete the form to receive an absentee ballot. You may not need to fill out this entire form. Check out the instructions below to see what information your State requires.

Open Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request

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What do I fill in?

Only the following blocks are required:

Block 1: Select the category that describes you.

Block 2.a: Name (Last, First, Middle)

Block 2.e: Date of Birth

Blocks 2.f and 2.g: Your valid Ohio Driver's License Number OR the last four digits of your Social Security Number is required for voter registration. If you do not possess either of these identification numbers, the State shall assign a number that will serve to identify you for voter registration purposes.

Blocks 2.h through 2.j: Recommended but not required. Provide your contact information to allow your local election official to follow up if more information is required.

Block 3.a through 3.e: Complete street address of your Ohio voting residence. A post office box is not sufficient. If your address includes a rural route, describe its location in Block 6. This address must be within the county where you claim legal voting residence.

Block 4.a: Complete address where you want your ballot sent, usually where you live now.

Block 4.c: Ohio allows you to receive your absentee ballot by mail or fax if you are a Uniformed Service member or family member. Overseas citizens must receive their absentee ballots by mail. Check how you would like to receive your absentee ballot. Provide your fax number in Block 2. If you do not make a selection, then your local election official will mail your ballot to you.

Block 5: To vote in primary elections, you must enter your political party affiliation or write in the party ballot you want to receive. Political party affiliation is not required if only requesting absentee ballots for general elections.

Block 6: Fill in the length of time you resided in Ohio immediately before leaving Ohio. The Federal Post Card Application registers you to vote and requests absentee ballots for all regularly scheduled Federal elections for the calendar year in which it is submitted. If you do not wish to receive ballots for that length of time, you may request a ballot for each election for Federal office held. Provide any information that may assist your election official in accepting this application.

Block 7: Sign and date. No notary or witness required.

Submission Options

Mail

You must mail your Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request to a specific election official. Find your county or city in the list below to locate your election official.

Open Election Official Address List

Don't know your county? Go to the county finder.

Don't know your zip code? Go to the United States Postal Service website.

Optional: You may be able to use the Postage-Paid Envelope Template.

Open Postage-Paid Envelope Template

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The postage paid envelope may be used if mailed in the U.S. Postal System, which includes all U.S. Military post offices (APO/FPO) overseas or through the diplomatic pouch available at U.S. embassies/consulates. Affix appropriate postage if using international mail. Template must be printed on a number 10 or larger envelope.

Fax

If you are already registered to vote and a Uniformed Service member or family member, you may fax your request for an absentee ballot. If you are not already registered, you must return this form by mail. It is recommended that you fax the form directly to your local election official (fax numbers can be found on Ohio State Election website). You may only fax this form if you are already registered in Ohio. You may also use our toll-free fax service:

Inside the U.S.? Fax to:
1-800-368-8683
(703)696-2148
DSN 426-2148

Email

If you are already registered to vote and a Uniformed Service member or family member, you may email your request for an absentee ballot. If you are not already registered, you must return this form by mail. It is recommended that you email the form directly to your local election official. Email addresses can be found on Ohio State Election website

Outside the U.S.? Show me a list of toll-free fax numbers

Open Fax/Email Coversheet

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Follow-up

Ohio

  • Important Dates for Uniformed Service/family members Inside the U.S.

  • General Election: 11/02/2010
  • Register by: 10/04/2010
  • Request ballot by: 10/30/2010
  • Return ballot by: 11/12/2010*
  • State Primary: 05/04/2010
  • Register by: 04/05/2010
  • Request ballot by: 05/01/2010
  • Return ballot by: 05/14/2010*

* Postmarked by day before the election

  • Important Dates for Uniformed Service members outside the U.S. and Overseas Citizens

  • General Election: 11/02/2010
  • Register by: 10/04/2010
  • Request ballot by: 10/30/2010
  • Return ballot by: 11/12/2010*
  • State Primary:05/04/2010
  • Register by: 04/05/2010
  • Request ballot by: 05/01/2010
  • Return ballot by: 05/14/2010*

* Postmarked by Election Day

Last updated: 12.09.2009