CLEVELAND — Who will be the next President of the United States? Voters across the country will make that decision in the upcoming general election, which is set for Tuesday, Nov. 5.
But the battle for the Oval Office isn't the only issue you need to know before casting your ballot as the November election also features Ohio Issue 1 along with a series of school levies and races.
So what's on your local ballot? Where is your polling place? What hours are the polls open? We explore all that and more in our primary election guide below...
WHERE IS MY POLLING PLACE?
You can find your polling location HERE.
WHEN ARE THE POLLS OPEN?
Polls are open throughout Ohio for the Nov. 5 general election from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Remember, you are still permitted to vote as long as you're in line before the polls close at 7:30 p.m.
WHAT'S ON MY BALLOT? HOW DO I SEE A SAMPLE OF MY BALLOT?
Is there a school levy on your ballot? Any issues that could impact your taxes? Here's your chance to study up before heading to the polls. CLICK HERE to see a sample of your ballot.
U.S. SENATE BATTLE
In addition to the presidential race, Ohio voters will also decide a closely watched battle as Republican Bernie Moreno is up against incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown for a seat in the U.S. Senate.
OHIO ISSUE 1
You've probably seen the political ads for both sides of Ohio Issue 1, but what does your vote on this issue actually mean?
Issue 1 is a proposed Ohio state Constitutional amendment "to create an appointed redistricting commission not elected by or subject to removal by the voters of the state." (Majority "yes" vote required to pass)
- Proposed amendment would:
- Repeal constitutional protections against gerrymandering
- Establish a new taxpayer-funded commission of appointees consisting of a majority of members belonging to state's two largest political parties
- Commission will gerrymander Ohio's legislative and congressional districts to favor either of the two largest political parties in the state, according to a formula based on partisan outcomes as the dominant factor
- Commission will be required to create new legislative and congressional districts in 2025 to replace the most recent districts adopted by the citizens of Ohio through elected representatives
SCHOOL LEVIES
There are a number of schools throughout Northeast Ohio with a levy on the ballot. Is your district one of them? See the list HERE.
WHAT'S THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THIS YEAR'S ELECTIONS?
- Oct. 7: Deadline for the Nov. 5 general election
You can register to vote HERE.
WHEN CAN I VOTE EARLY IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION?
Here is when you can vote early in-person at your local Board of Elections:
- Oct. 8-11: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Oct. 14-18: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Oct. 21-25: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Oct. 26: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Oct. 27: 1-5 p.m.
- Oct. 28: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Oct. 29: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Oct. 30 - Nov. 1: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Nov. 2: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Nov. 4: 1-5 p.m.
CLICK HERE to find your local Board of Elections address if you're interested in early voting.
WHAT ABOUT ABSENTEE VOTING BY MAIL?
Here are the dates you need to know...
- Oct. 8: Absentee voting by mail begins
- Oct. 29: Absentee ballot applications must be received by your Board of Elections by 8:30 p.m.
- Nov. 4: Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by this date.
- Nov. 5: Absentee ballots may be returned to your local county Board of Elections by the time polls close at 7:30 p.m.
- Nov. 9: Last day for Board of Elections to receive mailed-in ballots that were postmarked on or before Nov. 4.
HOW DO I REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?
Here are your two options:
- Print your request HERE and mail it to your county Board of Elections.
- Call your county Board of Elections and request an application. CLICK HERE to find the phone number for your county's Board of Elections.
WHAT FORM OF ID SHOULD I BRING SO I CAN VOTE?
You need to have a form of ID with you to cast a ballot on election day. Acceptable forms of identification as listed by the Secretary of State's office are as follows:
- Ohio driver's license
- State of Ohio ID card
- Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV
- A US passport
- A US passport card
- US military ID card
- Ohio National Guard ID card
- US Department of Veterans Affairs ID card
All photo IDs must have the following:
- An expiration date that has not passed
- A photograph of the voter
- The voter’s name, which must substantially conform to the voter’s name as it appears in the Poll List or in the Poll Book
Ohio law prohibits acceptance of the following forms of ID:
- Driver’s license or photo identification card issued by a state other than Ohio
- Social Security card
- Birth certificate
- Insurance card
- Utility bill
- Bank statement
- Government check
- Paycheck
- Other government document
- Any registration acknowledgment notice from the county Board of Elections
What if I forget my ID?
"If you do not provide one of the above forms of photo ID, you will still be able to vote using a provisional ballot," according to the Secretary of State. "However, for that ballot to be counted, you must return to the Board of Elections no later than four days following Election Day to provide a qualifying form of identification. If you do not have a photo ID because of a religious objection to being photographed, you may complete an affidavit of religious objection and have your provisional ballot count."
WHAT TIME WILL RESULTS COME IN?
We expect to see the first results shortly after 7:30 p.m. Absentee ballots are the first votes counted, according to the Secretary of State's office.
WHERE CAN I WATCH FOR RESULTS?
WKYC will share the special election results with updates after the polls close, which you can check at wkyc.com/elections. Be sure to follow WKYC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for complete coverage. Here's what you can expect from 3News:
- Breaking election results will be available through push alerts with the free WKYC app. You can download our news app here: Android, Apple.
- Results and reaction as our reporters bring you the latest details. Watch for these updates during our newscasts at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.
- A complete wrap up the following morning on GO! from 4:30-7 a.m.
- Subscribe to our free 3News to GO! newsletter HERE to have the election results and other top headlines sent straight to your e-mail inbox.
