Registered Ohio voters will soon begin receiving official absentee ballot request applications in the mail ahead of the November general election.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose says the mailings are arriving in voters’ mailboxes around Labor Day weekend.
The state has mailed absentee ballot request forms to registered voters ahead of general elections in even-numbered years since 2012.
Voters should look for an envelope marked “Official Election Mail.”
Inside will be an information letter and an absentee ballot request form, along with a pre-addressed return envelope.
Eligible voters who want to vote absentee can complete the application, provide the required identification, and return it to their county board of elections.
A ballot is not automatically sent simply because a voter receives the application.
The completed request must first be verified by bipartisan election officials.
Military and overseas voters can begin receiving absentee ballots September 18.
Absentee ballots will begin going out to other voters October 6.
LaRose is also reminding voters to be cautious about election-related mail and forms that are not clearly identified as official election mail.
Ohio law requires voter identification and signatures to be checked during the absentee voting process.
Regular absentee ballots must be received by the county board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
Voters can also track the status of their absentee ballot through the Ohio Secretary of State’s election website HERE.
