Military identification issued by the Ohio National Guard or US government
US Veterans Affairs ID card
Interim identification form issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
Option 2: Vote a provisional ballot
If you can’t present an accepted photo ID, you have to cast a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots make sure eligible voters are not rejected at the polls — but you must take extra steps for your vote to count.
To make your provisional ballot count:
Appear in person at your county’s Board of Elections and present an accepted photo ID within 4 calendar days after Election Day.
If you don’t have an accepted photo ID because of a religious objection to being photographed, your ballot will count if you complete an affidavit of religious objection and include the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. You can complete the affidavit when you cast your provisional ballot, or at your county’s Board of Elections within 4 days after Election Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get a free ID in Ohio?
Free IDs are available for Ohio voters!
The BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) issues state ID cards for free to residents aged 17 or over who don’t have a driver’s license.
Request your free state ID at any Ohio BMV license agency location.
You will be required to provide proof of:
Legal name (including documentation of any changes)
Date of birth
US citizenship (for example, a birth certificate, US passport, or immigration paperwork)
Social Security number (if you have one)
Ohio address
What if I don’t have the right ID to vote in Ohio?
You can still vote a provisional ballot.
Registered Ohio voters who can’t present an accepted photo ID at the polls have to cast a provisional ballot, and must take extra steps for it to count. Appear in person at your county’s Board of Elections with an accepted photo ID within 4 calendar days after Election Day.
You cannot use an image, copy, or digital ID when voting in person.
Do I need a “REAL ID” to vote in Ohio?
You do not need a “REAL ID” to vote in Ohio.
“REAL ID” is a set of national security standards for states to follow when they issue driver’s licenses and state ID cards. Your ID will show a star if it meets REAL ID standards.
Applying for a REAL ID requires you to appear in person with a variety of documents to prove your identity. Visit the Ohio BMV website to find out exactly what is required to get a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID card (called a Compliant DL-ID in Ohio).
IDs for Voting by Mail
Any registered Ohio voter can request an absentee ballot. You don’t have to give a reason why you can’t vote in person. Request your absentee ballot by sending a completed application form to your county board of elections.
You must include ID information or a copy of an accepted ID with BOTH your application and your completed ballot.
A copy of your ID means images of both the front and back. A copy of a passport book means an image of the data page showing your name, photo, identifying information, and expiration date.
You are allowed to “cure” (fix) your absentee ballot within 4 days of the election. Election officials will send you a notice (Form 11-S) to let you know if there is a problem with your ballot, including missing or inconsistent proof of ID, signature, or printed name.
What to do:
Complete the Form 11-S and return it to your county board of elections, in person or by mail.
If you do not complete and return the Form 11-S, your ballot will not count.
2
Register
Voter Registration in Ohio
You must register before you can vote in Ohio.
You are eligible to vote in Ohio if you meet all of the following requirements:
You are a citizen of the United States.
You will be a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days immediately before the election.
You are 18 years of age on or before the date of the next general election. (If you will be 18 by the general election, you may vote in the primary election to nominate candidates. You cannot vote on issues or party central committees until you are 18.)
You cannot register to vote in Ohio if:
You are incarcerated (in prison or jail) for a felony conviction.
You have been declared incapacitated by a court of law.
You have been permanently disenfranchised for violating the election laws.
Voter Registration Requirements
To register to vote:
You must provide your driver’s license number or state ID number if you have one.
If you do not have either of these IDs, you can use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number (SSN).
If you do not have a Social Security number, then leave that space blank on your registration form.
If don’t provide any of these numbers or the state can’t match the number your provide to official records, you will have to show an accepted form of ID the first time you vote.
If you vote by mail, provide a copy of an accepted form of ID with your absentee ballot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register and vote on the same day in Ohio?
No, Ohio does not allow you to register and vote on the same day.
Ohio’s deadline to register for an upcoming election is 30 days before Election Day.
If the deadline has passed, you can still submit a registration application. It will be processed for future elections.
Can I register to vote in Ohio if I have been convicted of a crime?
Each state has its own laws about whether citizens with previous criminal convictions can vote.
To check your eligibility to register to vote in Ohio use Restore Your Vote.
Can I register to vote in Ohio if I attend college in Ohio?
College students are allowed to vote using their Ohio school residence address. You can decide if you prefer to register in your home state or in Ohio if you attend school there. You may only be registered and vote in one location.
Student ID is not accepted for voting in Ohio.
3
Vote
Voting in Person
Registered Ohio voters who can’t present an accepted photo ID at the polls have to cast a provisional ballot.
Provisional ballots make sure eligible voters are not rejected at the polls. You must take extra steps for your ballot to count!
How to Make a Provisional Ballot Count
Appear in person at your county’s Board of Elections and present an accepted form of photo ID within 4 calendar days following Election Day.
Find your local office.
If you don’t have an accepted photo ID because of a religious objection to being photographed, your ballot will count if you complete an affidavit of religious objection and include the last 4 digits of your Social Security numbers. You can complete the affidavit when you cast your provisional ballot or at your county’s Board of Elections within 4 days following Election Day.
Voting by Mail
Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot in Ohio. You don’t have to give a reason why you can’t vote in person.
You are allowed to “cure” (fix) your absentee ballot within 4 days of the election.
Election officials will send you a notice (Form 11-S) to let you know if there is a problem with your ballot. This includes missing or inconsistent proof of ID, signature, or printed name.
You need to complete the Form 11-S and return it to your county board of elections. You can do this by going to their office or sending it by mail.
If you do not complete and return the Form 11-S, your ballot will not count.
