XENIA — The deadline to register to vote in the Tuesday, Nov. 6 election is approaching.
Here’s what you need to know before voting:
Absentee voting
Voters whose registration is up-to-date can vote absentee by requesting an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots are the first votes counted on Election Night.
Requesting a ballot: Residents can download an Absentee Ballot Application from the Secretary of State’s website at bit.ly/2DzbSpF or obtain one from the BOE. The request must be received by the BOE no later than noon Saturday, Nov. 3 if by mail or by 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5 if in person. Requesting in advance ensures sufficient time to receive and return a ballot.
Or, persons can request an absentee ballot by writing to the BOE including: name; signature; registered-to-vote address; date of birth; either Ohio’s driver’s license number or last four digits of Social Security number or copy of current and valid photo identification or utility bill/ bank statement/ paycheck/ government document that shows voter’s name and address. Also: a statement identifying election for which person is requesting an absentee ballot; a statement that person is a qualified elector; address in which ballot should be mailed.
Voters can check their absentee request status at the BOE website.
Voting by mail: After requesting a ballot, absentee ballots will be mailed to voters. Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Monday, Nov. 5 in order to be counted.
Returning ballot in person: Absentee ballots can also be returned in-person to BOE before 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Additional accommodations can be made for military and overseas voters and hospitalized voters or voters with a minor child in the hospital on Election Day. More information can be found at the Absentee Voting page of the Secretary of State’s website at bit.ly/2DzbSpF
Early voting
Residents can also vote early in person at the BOE.
Week 1: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10 through Friday, Oct. 12
Week 2: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15 through Friday, Oct. 19
Week 3: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22 through Friday, Oct. 26; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27
Week 4: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29 through Friday, Nov. 2; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3; 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4
Week of Election Day: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5
Voting on Election Day
Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6. Voters can check their voting information including polling location through the Voter Search on the Secretary of State’s website at https://bit.ly/2I7ccNE
Greene County Board of Elections (BOE) is located at 551 Ledbetter Road, Xenia. Visit www.co.greene.oh.us/128/Board-of-Elections or contact 937-562-6170 for more information.