OHIO — Early voting has begun for a special election in Ohio. Election Day is slated for Aug. 8, and there's only one thing Ohioans are voting on: Issue 1. 

Below is a list of resources and information you may need to ensure you're prepared to vote and know what you're voting on. 

What's on the ballot?

Voters will decide whether to pass Issue 1. 

The issue aims to change the voting requirement to approve constitutional amendments to 60%, whereas now, constitutional amendments only need 50.01% of the vote to be approved.

If Issue 1 is approved, that means in order to amend the Ohio Constitution, it would require a 60% majority vote from voters. In addition, it would require 5% of electors in each of Ohio's counties to sign initiative petitions proposing a constitutional amendment. 

It would also still require signatures of 10% of electors who voted for governor in the past gubernatorial election. 

If voted down, the current requirement of 50.01% of voters to amend the Ohio Constitution would stay in place. 

Where can I early vote?

Ohioans can vote early at their local county board of elections. 

Here's a complete list of early voting times: 

  • July 11-14: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • July 17-21: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • July 24-28: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • July 31: 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Aug. 1: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Aug. 2-4: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Aug. 5: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Aug. 6: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

What do I need to bring to vote?

All voters must show a valid state or federally issued voter ID to cast a ballot, whether absentee or in person. 

Those forms of IDs can be: 

  • Driver's license
  • State of Ohio ID card
  • Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV
  • U.S. military ID card
  • Ohio National Guard ID card
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card
  • U.S. passport
  • U.S. passport card

All photo IDs must not be expired, have a photograph of the person who is voting and the voter's name as it appears in the poll list. 

How can I check my voting registration?

Residents can view their registration at the Ohio Secretary of State's website. They call also check by calling their local county board of elections.

How do I request an absentee ballot?

Residents must complete an absentee ballot request form through the Ohio Secretary of State's website. Once completed, it must be printed out and signed. 

Once that's done, mail the form to the address of your county board of elections. The board will then send a voter their absentee ballot.

The absentee ballot must be postmarked no later than the day before Election Day, Aug. 7. Voters can also check the status of their absentee ballot.

What other key dates should voters keep in mind?

Aug. 1: The deadline to vote by a mail-in ballot.

Aug. 7: Vote by mail ballots must have the postmark deadline.

Aug. 8: Election day begins with polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

More details on the August election is available on the Ohio Secretary of State's website. 

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