Ohio

NOTE: THIS OHIO PAGE (AND, SOON, OHIO VOTER ID INFO CARDS) SHOWS THE NEW LAW’S REQUIREMENTS, EFFECTIVE AS OF APRIL 7, 2023. UPDATES WILL BE ADDED WHEN THE SECRETARY OF STATE ISSUES FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.

To register to vote, you must provide your Ohio driver’s license or state identification card number or the last four digits of your social security number.

Registered voters in Ohio need to confirm their identity when they vote in person. There are several forms of identification you can use.

You need to provide either ID information or a copy of acceptable ID to vote by mail in Ohio.

Is out-of-state ID accepted?

No!
You cannot use an ID issued by another state

Is student ID accepted?

No!
You cannot use a student ID

Is an expired ID accepted?

No!
Photo IDs must be unexpired.

Learn About Voting In Person
Learn About Voting By Mail
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Ohio ID Requirements for Voting In Person

ACCEPTABLE ID

You can use one of the following unexpired photo IDs:

  • Ohio driver’s license
  • Ohio state ID
  • Interim identification form issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
  • Military ID (U.S. Military, U.S. Veterans Affairs, or Ohio National Guard)
  • U.S. passport or passport card

“Interim identification form” means the document issued by the registrar or a deputy registrar for a driver’s license or state identification card that contains all of the information otherwise found on the license or card and that you may use as a form of identification until the physical license or card arrives in the mail.

If you have moved within a precinct on or prior to the day of an election and have not filed a notice of change of residence with the board of elections, you may vote in that election by going to your assigned polling place, completing and signing a notice of change of residence, showing one of the above acceptable IDs, and casting a ballot.

The ID requirements for voting in person in Ohio are the same whether you vote on Election Day or vote early (also called in-person absent voting).

 

 

Voter ID Information Cards

Ohio Voter ID Information cards are being updated to reflect changes enacted in early 2023.

Download info card INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL

Frequently Asked Questions

Registered voters in Ohio must confirm their identity when they vote in person.

If you are a registered voter but do not present an acceptable photo ID when voting in person, you may cast a provisional ballot.

Your ballot will count if you appear in person and provide a qualifying form of photo ID at the board of elections within 4 days following Election Day.

If you do not have an acceptable photo ID due to a religious objection to being photographed, your ballot will count if you complete an affidavit of religious objection, including the last four digits of your social security number, when casting your provisional ballot or at the board of elections within 4 days following Election Day.

Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help securing ID.

The BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) will issue a state ID for free to residents aged 17 and over who request it. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship to obtain a state photo ID (for example: birth certificate, passport, immigration paperwork, etc.).

Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help securing ID.

You do not need a REAL ID to vote in Ohio.

Ohio calls an ID that meets the REAL ID requirements under federal law a “Compliant DL-ID.” Your driver’s license or state ID card will show a star if it is a Compliant DL-ID. Learn more about Compliant DL-ID.

Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help getting ID.

No. The state has not passed any law nor provided any guidance as to whether poll workers and other election officials can rely on an image of your ID on your mobile or other electronic device instead of the original version of your ID to vote in person. Otherwise, you may cast a provisional ballot.

Ohio ID Requirements for Voting By Mail

Any registered Ohio voter can vote absentee. No excuse is necessary, but you must apply to receive an absent voter’s ballot for each election.

You must provide ONE of the following BOTH with your application and your absent voter’s ballot:

  • Unexpired Ohio driver’s license or state identification card number
  • Last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Copy of an acceptable form of photo ID

A COPY of your ID means images of both the front and back.

A COPY of a passport means an image of the passport’s ID page that includes your name, photo, and other identifying information and the passport’s expiration date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Any registered Ohio voter can vote absentee. No excuse is necessary, but you must apply to receive an absent voter’s ballot for each election in which you want to vote by mail.

Yes, you must provide ONE of the following:

  • Ohio driver’s license or state identification card number
  • Last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN)
  • A copy of an acceptable unexpired photo ID

A COPY of your ID means images of both the front and back.

A COPY of a passport means an image of the passport’s ID page that includes your name, photo, and other identifying information and the passport’s expiration date.

If your application for an absent voter’s ballot does not contain all of the required information or is not submitted on an appropriate form, the board of elections will promptly notify you of the additional information required to be provided to complete your application and/or direct you to use an appropriate form, or both, as applicable. Upon receipt of an acceptable absent voter’s ballot application, the board of elections will deliver an absent voter’s ballot to you in person or mail directly to you by special delivery mail, air mail, or regular mail, postage prepaid.

Learn more about federal ID requirements for first-time voters.

Yes, you must provide ONE of the following with the Identification Envelope, which contains your voted ballot and is placed inside of the return envelope:

  • Ohio driver’s license or state identification card number
  • Last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN)
  • A copy of an acceptable unexpired photo ID

A COPY of your ID means images of both the front and back.

A COPY of a passport means an image of the passport’s ID page that includes your name, photo, and other identifying information and the passport’s expiration date.

The signature on your absent voter’s ballot must match your signature on file with the state.

If some of the required information on your ballot is missing or incorrect (such as: your proof of identify is missing or does not match your voter registration record; there is no signature, or it does not match your voter registration record; or you did not print your name, or it does not match your voter registration record), a notice (Form 11-S) will be sent by election officials to alert you of the defect(s).

In order for your ballot to count, you must deliver the completed Form 11-S to your county board of elections office, either in person or by mail, so that it is received by the elections office by the 4th day after the election.

The BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) will issue a state ID for free to residents aged 17 and over who request it. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship to obtain a state photo ID (for example: birth certificate, passport, immigration paperwork, etc.).

Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help securing ID.

OHIO SECRETARY OF STATE