Election Day is May 6 and WTOL 11 wants to make sure you’re prepared. The process begins by registering to vote. Here’s what you need to know.
OHIO, USA — The countdown is on and we are only a matter of weeks away from Election Day for the 2025 primary and special election in Ohio.
It’s the perfect time to start preparing, especially if you have not yet registered to vote. Uncertain of your registration status or want to register? Read on for everything you need to know.
VOTER REGISTRATION AND IDENTIFICATION
HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE
You can register to vote or update your voter registration online at the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office website HERE.
To register online, you need to have and submit these items:
- Ohio driver license or Ohio identification card number
- Name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Last four digits of your Social Security number
If you are missing any of those items, you will need to fill out a paper form, sign and send it to your county board of elections. That form is also available on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website at this link. If you do not have access to a computer or printer, most public libraries will be able to assist you, including the Toledo Lucas County Public Library.
You can also register to vote, update your registration, check your voter status and more at any Toledo Library location during open hours. Check HERE for more information and online resources offered by the library.
If you are a Safe at Home participant, you should contact the Safe at Home office before continuing online registration.
VOTER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
You must be a U.S. citizen to vote in Ohio. You also must be a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days immediately before the election, according to the secretary of state.
To be eligible to vote, Ohioans must be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day. Voters who are 17 years old and will turn 18 years old by the date of the general election may vote in the primary election for candidates only.
Additionally, you must not be currently incarcerated for a felony conviction under state or federal law, have not been declared incompetent for voting purposes by a probate court and have not been permanently disenfranchised for violating election laws.
For further information on voter eligibility, including for college students, military and overseas voters, check HERE.
VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE
To be eligible to vote, you must register or update your voter registration no later than 30 days before an election.
For the May 6 Primary and Special Election, the deadline to register is April 7. Boards of election are open until 9 p.m. on April 7.
OHIO VOTER ID REQUIREMENTS
Valid types of photo identification include:
- Ohio driver license
- State of Ohio ID card
- Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV
- US passport
- US passport card
- US military ID card
- Ohio National Guard ID card
- US Department of Veterans Affairs ID card
All photo IDs must have an expiration date that has not passed and the voter’s name that “substantially conforms” to the poll list or poll book.
If your form of identification does not match your current address in the pollbook, you can use an unexpired Ohio Driver License, State ID Card or Interim Documentation with your former address as a form of ID.
NOTE: Although Ohio driver licenses and IDs can now be added to your Apple Wallet, you will still need your physical ID to vote. If you only have a digital ID, you will have to follow the requirements for voters who do not have their ID on Election Day.
WHAT IF YOU FORGET YOUR ID ON ELECTION DAY?
You will still be able to vote using a provisional ballot. However, for your ballot to count, you must return to the board of elections no later than four days following Election Day to provide a qualifying form of identification.
According to Ohio law, the following forms of ID will not be accepted:
- Out-of-state driver license or photo ID
- Social Security card
- Birth certificate
- Insurance card
- Utility bill
- Bank statement
- Government check
- Paycheck
- Other government document
- Any registration acknowledgment notice from the county board of elections
WHAT IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN ID?
Ohioans of any age who do not have a driver license can receive a state ID at no cost from any deputy registrar license agency. Click HERE for more information.
HOW DO I CONTACT MY BOARD OF ELECTIONS?
To find contact information for boards of elections in Ohio, a full directory is available on the secretary of state’s website HERE.
ELECTION DAY
WHEN IS ELECTION DAY?
WHEN ARE THE POLLS OPEN?
Polls are open throughout Ohio from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. for in-person voting on May 6.
You will be allowed to vote as long as you’re in line before the polls close at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE IS MY POLLING PLACE?
You can find your polling location in Ohio HERE.
AFTER THE ELECTION
WHAT TIME WILL RESULTS COME IN?
The first unofficial results should come in shortly after 7:30 p.m. when the polls close. Absentee ballots are counted first, according to the Secretary of State’s office.
Election results are considered unofficial until certified. The deadline for certification varies on a state-by-state basis.
WHERE CAN I FIND RESULTS?
We will have live coverage on air and online, plus extended coverage on all platforms.
You can download the WTOL 11+ app for free and stream on your TV. You can also stream WTOL 11+ on our website and mobile app.
WTOL 11+ will have live, local team coverage throughout election night after polls close with a breakdown of unofficial results, reactions, expert analysis and more.
To view unofficial results on our website, visit the “Elections” page at wtol.com/election, which will be active the night of Election Day.
Breaking updates and unofficial results will be available through the free WTOL 11 News app and push alerts. You can find the WTOL 11 News app at the following links for Google Play or the Apple app store, or by searching your favorite app store for “WTOL 11: Toledo’s News Leader.”
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This article was published by Diane Woodring (WTOL) on 2025-03-13 14:03:00
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