Six Boards, One Calendar: Where South-Central Ohio Votes Early

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South-central Ohio opened early voting Tuesday, and the rule that trips people up is the same in every county on this list. The early ballot is cast at the board of elections. It is not cast at the precinct on the voter card. That precinct opens on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The hours, in every county

The hours do not vary by county. Boards are taking in-person ballots on this schedule:

• Oct. 6–9, Oct. 12–16, and Oct. 19–23: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 31: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 26, and Oct. 28–30: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 27: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 1: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 2, is not an early-voting day. Voters still in line when a session is scheduled to end are allowed to vote.

Registration, mail ballots, and ID

Registration for this election closed at 9 p.m. on Oct. 5. An absentee application now has to reach the voter’s own board by 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 27. The completed ballot has to reach that same board by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3. A postmark is not enough for a domestic voter. The drop box outside each board is for the voter’s own ballot. A close relative returning someone else’s, or a person helping a voter with a disability, should carry it inside and sign the attestation.

In person, the ID is a photo ID: an Ohio driver’s license, Ohio state ID, BMV interim ID, U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, U.S. military ID, U.S. military dependent card, Ohio National Guard ID, or VA ID. It has to be unexpired, it has to show the voter’s face, and the name has to substantially match the poll book. An Ohio license with an old address is acceptable if the poll book is current. Utility bills, bank statements, student IDs, and out-of-state licenses are not. A voter without an accepted ID can vote provisionally and generally has four days after Election Day to bring a qualifying ID back to the board.

Sample ballots and precinct assignments are at voterlookup.ohiosos.gov. Curbside voting is for voters who cannot enter because of a disability. Call the board before the trip.

Ross County

The counter is the Ross County Board of Elections, 475 Western Ave., Suite D, Chillicothe. Mail can go to P.O. Box 1663, Chillicothe, OH 45601. Phone 740-775-2350. Email ross@ohiosos.gov. Board page: boe.ohio.gov/ross.

Pickaway County

Early voting is at the Pickaway County Board of Elections, 141 W. Main St., Suite 800, Circleville. Phone 740-474-1100. Email pickaway@ohiosos.gov. Board page: boe.ohio.gov/pickaway.

Scioto County

Portsmouth’s early ballots are taken at the Scioto County Board of Elections, 602 Seventh St., Room 105. Phone 740-353-4178. Fax 740-355-8326. Email scioto@ohiosos.gov. Board page: boe.ohio.gov/scioto.

Pike County

The only early window is the Pike County Board of Elections, 230 Waverly Plaza, Suite 1100, Waverly. Phone 740-947-4512. Fax 740-947-5973. Email pike@ohiosos.gov. The office’s ordinary day includes a lunch closure. Early voting does not. Board page: boe.ohio.gov/pike.

Highland County

Hillsboro votes early at the Hi-Tech Center, Highland County Board of Elections, 1575 N. High St., Suite 200. Phone 937-393-9961. Fax 937-393-5854. Board page: boe.ohio.gov/highland.

Hocking County

Logan’s office is the Hocking County Board of Elections, 93 W. Hunter St. Mail goes to P.O. Box 109, Logan, OH 43138. Phone 740-380-8683. Fax 740-380-3712. Email hocking@ohiosos.gov. Board page: boe.ohio.gov/hocking.

A voter who requested a mail ballot and still has it should bring the unmarked ballot if voting in person. A voter who already sent one should not cast a second ballot.

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