voters guide 2004
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Frequently Asked Questions about Voting

How do I register to vote?

What requirements do I have to meet to be able to register to vote in Ohio?

Will I ever have to re-register to vote?

What do I do if I forget to notify the Board of Elections that I moved?

Do I have to choose a political party when I register to vote?

If I ask for a party ballot in the Primary Election, can I vote for candidates of a different party in the November General Election?

Do I have to vote on all the offices and issues on the ballot?

Will I be called for jury duty if I register to vote?

How do I vote an absentee ballot?

Now that I am registered, what happens next?

What is the "Elections Calendar"?

What time do the polls open and close?

Who do we elect in what years?

What if I need more help understanding the mechanics of voting?

How do I register to vote?
Registering to vote is a very simple process. In Cuyahoga County, visit a local public library, public high school, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections offices (2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland), state government offices or any place where you can renew your driver's license. Some city and county offices, banks and businesses are also places where you can register. Watch out for announcements of voter registration drives at malls or other public places, usually right before the elections.

In Ohio, you must be registered 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election.

What requirements do I have to meet to be able to register to vote in Ohio?
You must be 18 years old, a United States citizen and a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days to be eligible to vote.

There is one exception to the age 18 rule. If you are 17 years old but will turn 18 by the day of the November general election, you may vote in the March primary election for candidates only (Not issues!). For example, if you will turn 18 on November 3, and the election is being held November 4, you may register before the registration deadline in early February and vote in the March primary. Then you may vote in the November election.

Please note: Naturalized citizens need to know the date (year) and place of naturalization.

Will I ever have to re-register to vote?
You must always be registered at your current address, so even if you move within a county, you must notify the Board of Elections at least 30 days before an election by filling out a new voter registration card. If you change your name (for instance, if you get married), you must also fill out a new voter registration card. There are places on the card for you to indicate an address or name change. You can pick up a voter registration card at any of the sites listed above.

If you move to a different county in Ohio, you must report the change to your new county Board of Elections by completing a new voter registration form.

What do I do if I forget to notify the Board of Elections that I moved?
If you are registered in Ohio and have moved, you may still vote even if you forget to notify the Board of Elections. There are two options:

1. Go to your new polling place on election day. Fill out a new voter registration card indicating your change of address, and vote.

2. If you are residing in Cuyahoga County, go to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, 2925 Euclid Ave, during the absentee voting period or on election day and vote there.

TDD Assistance
The Ohio Secretary of State's office maintains a phone line to provide information on registration and voting for deaf citizens. The number is TDD (614) 466-0562.

Do I have to choose a political party when I register to vote?
NO. You won't be asked your party affiliation when you register to vote. It's not even on the form. The only time you have to declare a party is at a partisan Primary Election. Even at a Primary, you may vote a nonpartisan ballot without declaring a party. In this case, however, you will only get to vote on the ballot issues, not the party candidates.

If I ask for a party ballot in the Primary Election, can I vote for candidates of a different party in the November General Election?
Absolutely! You may vote for ANY candidates in November regardless of how you voted in the Primary. Your ballot is secret. No one will know how you vote.

Do I have to vote on all the offices and issues on the ballot?
No. You may vote for as many or as few as you like. If you really only care or have information about one candidate for one office on the entire ballot, you may vote for that one person and leave the rest of the ballot blank!

Will I be called for jury duty if I register to vote?
Maybe. Some counties and municipalities use the list of registered voters to select juries. Others use the list of drivers' licenses to select juries. Either way, the names chosen from the lists are at random, so you may or may not be selected.

How do I vote an absentee ballot?
Any registered voter may request an Day, absentee ballot. There are three ways to do this:

1. During the month before the election, you may go to the county Board of Elections and vote ahead of time. They will tell you how to do it.

2. You can call the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections at (216)443-3200 and request an absentee ballot application. After you submit your application, your ballot will be mailed to you.

3. You can write a letter to your county Board of Elections and ask them to mail you an absentee ballot. Make certain you include your name, voting residence, address where the Board of Elections should send the ballot, the name and date of the election in which you want to vote absentee (e.g. General Election November 7, 2006).

BE SURE TO SIGN YOUR LETTER.
The Board of Elections needs your signature. Also let the Board of Elections know what type of election you wish to vote in. If it is a primary election, you need to tell them which party or type of ballot you need (ex. Republican, Democratic, nonpartisan (issues) ballot only).

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR VOTING ABSENTEE:
Once you receive your absentee ballot, mark and return it. Read the instructions carefully and start early, because the voted ballot must be back at the Board of Elections by 7:30 p.m. on election day or it cannot be counted.

Three days before an election (that is noon Saturday before a Tuesday election) is the last day the Board of Elections can accept a written request for an absentee ballot for that election. If voting in person by absentee ballot, you may apply until the close of regular business hours the day before the election. NOTE: The absentee ballot request deadline is 3:00 p.m. on Election day only in the case of medical emergencies. To be eligible for this you must be confined in a hospital because of a medical emergency. For more information contact the Board of Elections at (216)443-3200.

Now that I am registered, what happens next?
After you are registered, the Board of Elections will send you a card telling you where your polling place is located. It will be a location near your home, for example, a school, church, or community center. If you forget the location you can call the Voter Information Center at (216)781-8376. We will be happy to help you. You do not need to take your card with you to the polling place. You DO need to bring identification

When you report to your polling place, look for your ward and precinct number on the front of the sign-in table. If you do not know it you can ask a Board of Elections representative. The poll workers will guide you though the voting process if it is your first time, or they will remind you of what you need to do if you have voted before.

Give the poll workers your name and address. They will then have you sign the "poll book" next to your name. The poll workers are there to help. If there is something you don't understand, just ask. They are equipped to show you how to use a punch card properly. It is their job to make certain that you are able to vote a valid SECRET ballot.

Persons who are physically or mentally disabled or illiterate may be assisted by anyone of their own choice, except an employer or his agent, a union officer or candidate whose name appears on the ballot. The voter may be assisted by two poll workers, one from each party. No one who assists a voter may disclose any information on how that person voted.

If you vote absentee, your ballot will come with detailed instructions. Read and follow them carefully.

What is the "Elections Calendar"?
The elections calendar dictates when voting is to take place.

Primary Elections
In even numbered years Primary Elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May.

In odd numbered years, the date for Primary Elections varies among municipalities. For instance the nonpartisan primary election for Cleveland is held five Tuesdays prior to the General Election.

General Election
General Elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November every year.

What time do the polls open and close?
Polls open on election day at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.

Who do we elect in what years?
In every even numbered year, we elect:

In some even numbered years, we elect:

In even numbered years, divisible by 4 we elect:

In even numbered years that are not divisible by 4 we elect:

In all odd-numbered years, we elect:

What if I need more help understanding the mechanics of voting?
Call the League of Women Voters VOTER INFORMATION HOTLINE at (216) 781-8376 We'll be happy to answer all your voting questions.