Stow Voting Information

Press release from the City of Stow:

August 26, 2020

The 2020 November General Election poses challenges for all voters due to the uncertainties of COVID-19. The information below clarifies the voting options for every voter to ensure that every vote counts.

Checking your registration:
It is strongly recommended that all voters double-check their Ohio registration at www.voteohio.gov. You may also update your registration online, if necessary. Note, if you have not voted in the last 4 years, you may have to re-register. Ohio’s voter registration deadline is October 5, 2020

Voting Options:
Under current law, Ohio has three options for voters:
• No excuse absentee voting
• Early voting at your County Board of Elections
• In-person voting on Election Day

No Excuse Absentee Voting

• A voter must request an absentee/mail-in ballot. All voters registered in Ohio will automatically receive an application this year in early September. We encourage you to submit your absentee ballot request as early as you can. You can download and print a request form from the Secretary of State’s website: www.voteohio.gov and mail it in to your county Board of Elections.
• Avoid mistakes. PRINT all the information on the application EXCEPT for your signature. Make sure you enter your date of birth. Make sure you include your contact information so that the BOE can help you correct mistakes if you have made them. The post office is recommending that you have this application in no later than Oct. 15. And track your application at your BOE’s website.
• Absentee ballots will be mailed right after registration closes on October 5, 2020. The general election is November 3, 2020. The ballot must be postmarked by Monday, November 2,2020. The post office is recommending that you mail the ballot by Oct. 27. Make sure you sign the envelope. You will need a 70-cent stamp (or its equivalent) to mail in the ballot
• NOTE: You can drop off your ballot at your county’s early voting center until 7:30 pm, Nov. 3.

Absentee ballots will not be accepted at the local polling locations. An immediate family member may drop off your ballot for you.

Vote early in person

• Early Voting begins October 6 and ends on Mon. November 2, 2020. at 2:00 pm. It includes two weekends: October 24/25 and October 31/November 1. You will be asked to fill out an application for a ballot. After checking your registration, ID and signature, you will be given your ballot.
• Curbside option is offered for the disabled.

Vote at your polling place on Election Day, November 3

• In Ohio, Polls are open 6:30am-7:30 pm. Polling locations may change or be consolidated so confirm your precinct online before you go. https://www.summitcountyboe.gov/ All proper protocols are to be followed: masks, sanitizer, social distancing. Again, a curbside option is offered for those with disabilities.
• Make sure you have an acceptable form of Voter ID. Here’s the a list of acceptable forms of identification https://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/voters/id-requirements/
• If you do not vote your absentee ballot and go to the polls instead, you will be required to cast a provisional ballot.

Special Considerations
For Voters with Disabilities, hospitalized voters, military and overseas voters and victims of domestic violence, please go to the Secretary of State’s website at https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/

Voting Resources

VoteOhio.gov – Ohio Secretary of State Election Website – All things voting are on this official site.

Summit County Board of Elections

VOTE411.ORG – League of Women Voters resources

LWV 2020 General Election Information Sheet

Absentee Ballot Request Form

This press release was produced by the City of Stow.The views expressed here are the author’s own.