When can you vote early in Ohio's March 19 primary election? Voting hours extended March 11

Anthony Shoemaker, Columbus Dispatch
Updated ·2 min read
A steady flow of voters makes their way in to vote during the first day of early voting for the November election in Franklin County.
A steady flow of voters makes their way in to vote during the first day of early voting for the November election in Franklin County.

You can still vote early in Ohio's March 19 primary election.

Voters will decide on the presidential race as well as races for the U.S. Senate, Congress, Ohio House, Ohio Senate, Ohio Supreme Court and county races and local issues.

To check your voter registration, go to voteohio.gov or call your county board of elections. The deadline to register to vote has passed.

For the primary election, you will need to choose a Republican, Democratic or issues-only ballot. Note that some races in your precinct may not be contested.

How to vote by mail in Ohio

You can call your county board of elections and have an absentee ballot mailed to you or you can request one at voteohio.gov.

Absentee ballot applications must be received by boards of election by 8:30 p.m. on March 12.

Completed absentee ballots must be received by boards of election by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, March 19. Ballots cannot be turned in at polling places on Election Day but can be returned to county board offices in person on Election Day.

Absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by March 18 and received by March 23 to be counted.

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How to vote early in-person in Ohio

Absentee ballots can be cast in-person at local board of elections offices or the county's designated early voting center.

Feb 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The main entrance to the Franklin County Board of Elections.
Feb 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The main entrance to the Franklin County Board of Elections.

All locations in the state have the same hours, which have been extended into the evening starting March 11:

  • March 11: 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

  • March 12: 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

  • March 13-15: 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

  • March 16: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

  • March 17: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

New voter ID law

A new state law no longer allows voters to use utility bills and other documents as identification to receive a ballot.

Now, a photo ID is required for in-person voting, either on Election Day or during the early voting period at county boards of election. To cast a ballot by mail, voters can provide a copy of their photo ID, driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Free state IDs are available to residents at local Bureau of Motor Vehicles deputy registrar locations. More information can be found at bmv.ohio.gov.

Voting on Election Day, March 19

If you want to wait to vote on Election Day, March 19, the polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

You can find your polling place at voteohio.gov.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How do I vote early in Ohio? Early voting hours extended on March 11