OHIO — Early voting in most Ohio communities started Tuesday morning as towns decide on tax and zoning issues in addition to school board, city council and mayoral races.

What You Need To Know

  • Ohio’s early voting period started Tuesday

  • Voters can vote early in person at the county board of elections or through the mail

  • Most towns throughout Ohio will hold races for school board, city council and mayor

  • Voters in Cleveland and several surrounding communities will have to wait until Thursday to begin early voting

From now through Election Day, voters have several voting options prior to the Nov. 2 general election. The deadline to register for the Nov. 2 election was Monday. 

Although the state generally requires early voting to begin 28 days prior Election Day, some voters in Cuyahoga County are unable to participate in early voting until Thursday. Voters in East Cleveland, Lakewood, Bay Village Ward 3, Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Garfield Heights and Solon Ward 4 will be forced to wait. 

Those areas are still awaiting potential recount requests from last month’s primaries. 

Those wishing to vote early have two options: Vote in person at county boards of elections or through the mail. Locations are available on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. 

The hours for early voting are: 

  • Oct. 5-8: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Oct. 12-15: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Oct. 18-22: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Oct. 25-29: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Oct. 30: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Oct. 31: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Nov. 1: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Early voters also have the option of requesting a mail-in ballot, which can be requested through your county board of elections.

For those who prefer to vote on Election Day, polls will be open Nov. 2 from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Voters can find their polling place on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.

Voters can also view a sample ballot on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.

Related Stories