If you plan to vote in Ohio on Election Day on Nov. 3, today's your last day to register.
The deadline is Oct. 5. Voters who are already registered can begin taking advantage of the state's early voting and absentee voting options beginning Oct. 6.
Here's a guide to the key dates.
When is Ohio's voter registration deadline? What time do offices close?
Ohio voters must register by Oct. 5 to participate in the Nov. 3 election. County boards of elections and the secretary of state's office will remain open until 9 p.m. that day.
If you miss the deadline or register after is passes, the change will apply for the next election.
How to register, update your voting information
To register to vote, or update your registration, head to olvr.ohiosos.gov.
To complete the process online you will need the following information:
- Ohio driver’s license or Ohio identification card number
- Name
- Date of birth
- Address
- The last four digits of your Social Security number
If you don't have all that information, download and
complete a paper form and mail it to your county board of elections.
Are you currently registered to vote in Ohio? How to check if your registration is active
To check if you're currently registered to vote in Ohio, visit the state's voter search lookup page and enter your first and last names, and your county of residence.
If you are having trouble finding your voter registration, the Ohio Secretary of State's office offers the following tips:
- Are you currently registered to vote?
- Could you be registered with a derivative of your first name, such as Bob or Robert?
- Could you be registered with a former last name?
- Could you be registered at a previous address in another Ohio county?
If you are unable to locate your voter registration information, but believe you are registered to vote, it is recommended that you search again making sure all the information you provided is accurate. Contact your county board of elections regarding any questions pertaining to your voter registration.
When do Ohioans vote in the 2026 election?
The last day to vote in person in Ohio is Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., according to the Ohio Secretary of State's office.
When does early voting end?
Early in-person voting for the midterms ends Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, at 5 p.m.
What are Ohio's early in-person voting hours?
Early in-person voting begins Oct. 6 and includes the two Saturdays and the Sunday before Election Day.
- October 6–9: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- October 12–16: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- October 19–23: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- October 24: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- October 26: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- October 27: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- October 28–30: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- October 31: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- November 1: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
When do Ohio absentee ballot applications and ballots have to be submitted?
Ohio absentee ballot applications must be received by a county board of elections by 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27. Completed ballots must be returned by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3, for most Ohio voters.
Key Ohio election dates to know
Here are the major voting deadlines and dates to keep in mind before Election Day:
- Voter registration deadline: Oct. 5
- Early in-person voting ends: Nov. 1
- Absentee ballot application deadline: Oct. 27 at 8:30 p.m.
- Deadline for most absentee ballots to be received: Nov. 3 by 7:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: It's not Election Day yet, but it's the last day to register to vote in Ohio
