When and where you can vote and what you need to bring with you to vote

CINCINNATI (WXIX) — Voters across the country will participate in the 2024 presidential election on November 5th, among other important elections. But before people can go to the polls, they may want to check their voting to-do list.

Monday, Oct. 7, is the last day to register to vote in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, which are home to some big races this election season.

If you are interested and eligible to vote and have not yet registered, visit the link below for your state:

Now that you’re registered, how will you vote this year? Luckily, there are several options.

Early voting: In person and by mail

Ohio

Starting October 8, Ohio residents can vote in person or by mail.

For early in-person voting, polls open at 8 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. through November 3 at your county election board.

If you vote by mail, your ballot must be cast by November 4th. You can request your ballot here.

Registered voters who wish to vote by mail can request their ballot by October 29th. Mail-in ballots require a $1.01 postage fee.

New this year, Ohio’s 24/7 DropBox will only be available to voters who return their own ballot, a move that was viewed as controversial by Ohio Democrats and some voters. But Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose says it will enforce stronger election security.

If the voter is unable to cast their own ballot, a family member may drop it off during board business hours and must sign a ballot delivery certification form.

Absentee voters who do not submit their ballot by mail must return their ballot to their county executive by 7:30 p.m. on November 5th

Kentucky

The Bluegrass State has a slightly different system for conducting voting.

There are two ways residents can vote early and in person:

• Personal, excused postal voting: This applies to voters who have a reason why they cannot vote on Election Day. This includes students, military personnel, people with disabilities and more. The dates for this period are 23rd-25th. October and 28th-30th October.
• Personal, no-excuse postal voting: This is for voters who have no reason to vote early in person. Otherwise, it’s an opportunity to beat the crowds on Election Day. This is offered from October 31st to November 2nd.

Find your polling station here.

Those submitting their ballots by mail or absentee ballot must send them in by October 22nd. Request your postal ballot here.

Indiana

Like Ohio, early in-person voting in Indiana will take place from October 8th to November 4th at noon. Find your polling location here as opening hours may vary.

Anyone who would like to vote by postal vote can request their ballot paper by October 24th at 11:59 p.m. The deadline for receipt by the district election board is November 5th at 6:00 p.m. at the latest.

Vote on Election Day, November 5th

Ohio

• Polling stations are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m
• Find your polling station here

Kentucky

• Polling stations are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m
• Find your polling station here

Indiana

• Survey times vary by location.
• Find your polling station here

What do you need to bring with you to vote in person?

Once registered to vote, residents must bring several documents with them to vote in person.

In Ohio, voters must bring a photo ID with an unexpired expiration date, a picture of the voter and the voter’s name, which must match their name on the ballot, the Secretary of State’s website says.

The following are valid forms of identification for voting:

• Ohio driver’s license
• State ID card
• A temporary identification card issued by the Ohio BMV
• US passport or passport card
• US military ID card
• Ohio National Guard ID card
• US Department of Veterans Affairs ID card
• An unexpired Ohio driver’s license, ID card, or temporary proof showing your previous address.

Voter ID requirements are slightly more lenient in Kentucky than in Ohio.

According to the State Board of Elections, “identification” means a photo identification card issued by the United States, Kentucky, a college or vocational school, or a local government in the state. This includes:

• Kentucky driver’s license
• State ID card
• US passport
• Student ID card from a public, private, technical, public or professional university
• Military ID from the United States Department of Defense, Kentucky National Guard or other uniformed service
• A city, county, municipal district, charter county, consolidated local, or unitary government ID.

As long as it contains your photo and it was issued by one of the above locations, it will work.

Indiana’s voter ID requirements are similar to Ohio’s: It must be a photo ID with your name and an expiration date.

Acceptable forms include:

• Indiana driver’s license
• State ID card
• Military ID
• US passport
• Indiana school student ID card if it includes an expiration date, photo and your name.

Student ID cards from a private institution cannot be used for electoral purposes.

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