You have the right to vote. It’s the law and here’s the proof. Your rights are listed below with the relevant code numbers assigned to the precise laws that protect those rights. If any election official challenges your right to vote, show them your Voters’ Bill of Rights. And if anyone interferes with your right to vote, we’re here to fight for your rights, just call or email:
OHIO PROMOTE THE VOTE
- YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE if your completed and valid registration application has been submitted to appropriate officials (or postmarked) by October 6, and your eligibility has been confirmed by the county board of elections. You are entitled to be notified as to whether your registration application has been accepted. 42 U.S.C. 1973gg-6(a)(1)-(2); Ohio Rev. Code § 3503.19
- YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE on Election Day, November 4, between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. If you are in line at your correct polling place by 7:30 p.m., you must be allowed to vote. Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.32(A)
- YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE before Election Day and you’re not required to give a reason anymore! You can vote early in person by walking into your county board of elections office, from September 30 through November 3, and voting there with an absentee ballot. You may also vote by absentee ballot by sending a written request to your county board of elections. Requests for mail-in absentees must be received at the county boards by noon on November 1, and the ballots must be returned to the county boards no later than 7:30 p.m. on November 4. Ohio Rev. Code § 3509.01-3509.03.
- YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE a regular ballot if your name is in the poll book, you are in the correct precinct, and you provide ONE acceptable form of identification from the following list. Ohio Rev. Code §3505.18(A)(1)
- A valid Ohio Driver’s License or State of Ohio Photo Identification Card (can be used even if address is not current and does not match address in signature poll book); or,
- A Photo ID from the federal government showing your current address; or
- A utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and current address.
- YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE a regular ballot if you moved but your new address is within the same precinct as your old address. Ohio Rev. Code § 3503.16(B)(1)(a)
- YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE a regular ballot using an optical scan paper form if you don’t want to use a voting machine. Ohio Secretary of State Directive 2008-01 (1/2/08)
- YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE a provisional ballot if your name does not appear on the poll list, if you are unable to comply with identification requirements, or if you changed your name and did not update your registration. 42 U.S.C. 15482(a), 15483(b); Ohio Rev. Code §3505.181; Ohio Rev. Code § 3503.16(B)(1)(b)
- YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE a provisional ballot if you moved and your new address is outside your old precinct but within Ohio. When you vote provisionally, you MUST vote in the correct precinct for your NEW address. 42 U.S.C. 1973gg-6(f); Moves within the same county: Ohio Code § 3503.16(B)(2); Moves to a different county: Ohio Code § 3503.16(C)(3).
- YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE INFORMED as to whether your provisional ballot was counted by election officials, and if it was not counted, why not. To find out, you can call the Provisional Ballot Hotline: 866-OHIO-VOTE (866-644-6868). 42 U.S.C. 15482(a); Ohio Rev. Code § 3505.181
- YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE and can take more than five minutes to do so as long as one other machine is available and no one else is waiting in line. Ohio Rev. Code § 3505.23
- YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE ANOTHER BALLOT from election officials if you make a mistake and "spoil" your ballot. You may receive up to 3 ballots in total. Ohio Rev. Code § 3505.23
- YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST SPECIAL ASSISTANCE in the voting booth if you cannot read or write, if English is not your first language, or if you are blind or otherwise disabled. You may receive assistance from a person of your choice other than your employer, an officer of your union, or a candidate whose name appears on the ballot. You may ask election officials for written or verbal instructions at any time. 42 U.S.C. 1973aa-6; Ohio Rev. Code § 3505.24
- YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE, even if you are unable to enter the voting facility due to a disability. The polling place shall provide you with assistance at your vehicle or outside the facility. Ohio Code § 3501.29(C)
- YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE WITHOUT BEING INTIMIDATED by any person. 42 U.S.C. 1971(b), 1973i (b), 1973gg-10(1); 18 U.S.C. §§ 241, 242, 245, 594; Ohio Rev. Code. §§ 3599.01, .02, .06, .18, .19, .24, .25, .38
- YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE DURING WORK HOURS. Your employer cannot fire you for taking a reasonable amount of time to vote. Your employer may not intimidate, influence, or prevent you from voting for or against any person or issue. Ohio Rev. Code. § 3599.06
- If you are in jail, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE by absentee ballot, unless you are in jail on a felony conviction. If you are a convicted felon who has been released from prison, you have the right to vote after reregistering on your release from prison. Ohio Rev. Code §§ 2961.01, 3503.21
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE A COPY OF THIS
OHIO BILL OF RIGHTS INTO THE VOTING BOOTH WITH YOU.
REMEMBER, NEVER ACCEPT A PROVISIONAL BALLOT IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO A REGULAR BALLOT. AND NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ALLOW SOMEONE TO DENY YOU A PROVISIONAL BALLOT IF YOU NEED TO USE ONE.
Questions about your rights as a voter?
Call OHIO PROMOTE THE VOTE toll free on or before Election Day
1-614-221-6563 x123
Or email us at promotethevote@ohiodems.org
|
