Ohio voters have two weeks to lock in their registration for the Nov. 3 general election. The Ohio Secretary of State’s 2026 voting calendar sets Monday, Oct. 5, as the registration deadline; early in-person voting and mailed absentee voting begin the next day, Tuesday, Oct. 6.

The deadline applies to new registrations and changes that affect a voter’s eligibility, including an address move. Ohio’s registration guidance allows eligible residents to apply online if they can provide an Ohio driver license or state identification number, their name, date of birth, address and the last four digits of a Social Security number. A paper form may be mailed or delivered to a county board of elections or the secretary of state. On Oct. 5, county election boards and the state office are scheduled to remain open until 9 p.m.

Early voting then runs for nearly four weeks at each voter’s county board of elections. The state schedule lists weekday hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Oct. 6 through Oct. 23, with no voting shown for Monday, Oct. 12. Hours expand later in the month: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24; 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 26; 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 27; and 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Oct. 28 through Oct. 30. The final weekend includes 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1.

Ohio also allows any registered voter to cast an absentee ballot without providing a reason. Voters must request that ballot rather than expecting one automatically. The state calendar says applications must reach the voter’s county board by 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27. Mailed absentee ballots begin going out Oct. 6, and nonmilitary ballots must be received by the county board no later than 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. The secretary of state’s election FAQ recommends applying well before the deadline to leave time for delivery and return.

For people voting in person, Ohio requires an unexpired photo ID bearing the voter’s name and photograph. The approved list includes an Ohio driver license or state ID, a U.S. passport or passport card, qualifying military or Veterans Affairs identification, and an Ohio BMV interim ID. Utility bills, bank statements and out-of-state driver licenses are not accepted. A voter who cannot present acceptable identification may cast a provisional ballot and then has four days after Election Day to show an approved ID at the county board.

Election Day polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3, and a voter in line by closing time may remain to cast a ballot. Residents can use the state’s county board directory to confirm an early-voting site, local office hours and ballot-return instructions. Checking registration and identification now is the practical first step, because the Oct. 5 cutoff arrives before early voting begins.