Ohio

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?

Sometimes!
Photo IDs must be unexpired*, while non-photo IDs can be dated within the last 12 months *OK if expired after 3/8/20 until 11/4/20

Learn About Voting In Person
Learn About Voting By Mail
GET FREE HELP FROM VOTERIDERS

COVID-19 Update

Absentee ballot applications are being mailed to every registered voter in Ohio.

Some counties are allowing voters to use their Ohio State ID number to apply for absentee ballots. To find out if your county is allowing this, check with your local election officials.

Ohio ID Requirements for Voting In Person

ACCEPTABLE ID

You can use the following IDs: 

  • Unexpired Ohio driver’s license*
  • Unexpired Ohio state ID*
  • Military ID
  • Unexpired photo ID issued by the United States federal government or state of Ohio that shows your name and current address

*OK if expired after 3/8/20 until 11/4/20

You can also use one of these forms of identification. It must show your name, your current address, and be dated within the last 12 months. You can present the original document or a copy:

  • Utility bill (including cell phone bill)
  • Bank statement
  • Government check
  • Paycheck
  • Other government document

    •  Can be issued by federal, state, or local government (other than a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections)
Download info card

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are a registered voter but didn’t bring ID to the polling place, you may cast a provisional ballot. In order for your ballot to count, you must provide one of the following: 

  • your driver’s license number
  • your state ID number 
  • the last four digits of your Social Security number

If you cannot provide any of these identifiers, you must produce an acceptable form of ID or documentation at the board of elections office no later than 7 days after Election Day.

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 gold star if it is a Compliant DL-ID.

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

If your license or ID card expired on or after March 9, 2020, your expiration date has been automatically extended until 90 days after Ohio’s state of emergency ends or December 1, 2020 – whichever comes first.

Ohio ID Requirements for Voting By Mail

Any registered Ohio voter can vote absentee. No excuse is necessary.

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

PRINT A COPY OF YOUR ID REQUEST YOUR BALLOT

Frequently Asked Questions

Any registered Ohio voter can vote absentee. No excuse is necessary but you must request a ballot.

Voters must provide one of the following:

  • Ohio driver’s license number
  • Last four digits of their Social Security Number (SSN)

DUE TO COVID-19: Some counties are allowing voters to use their Ohio State ID number to apply for absentee ballots. To find out if your county is allowing this, check with your local election officials.

If a voter cannot provide either of the above, then they must include a copy of an acceptable ID when they apply. You can use one of the following:

  • Any current and valid photo ID with your name
  • Military ID with your name 
  • Utility bill with your name and Ohio address (dated within the last 12 months)
  • Bank statement with your name and Ohio address (dated within the last 12 months)
  • Paycheck with your name and Ohio address (dated within the last 12 months)
  • Government documents including check, other than voter registration notification, with your name and current address (dated within the last 12 months)

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

If you need a copy and don’t have the means to print one: Get free help printing a copy of your ID

No, but the signature on your mail ballot must match your signature on file with the state.

If your ballot is rejected because your signature doesn’t match your signature on file with the state, you will be notified by election administrators.

You have until the seventh day after the election to resolve any signature issues.

OHIO SECRETARY OF STATE