Ohio voters need to be sure they’re registered by the April 7 deadline in order to vote in the May 6 primary election.

You can register online, by mail or in person, including at any Akron-Summit County Public Library branch or any deputy registrar of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. 

To register online to vote, you’ll need an Ohio driver’s license or Ohio identification card number, a current address and the last four digits of your Social Security number.

On April 7, the Summit County Board of Elections will close at 9 p.m. Any mail-in registration forms must be postmarked by April 7 in order to be eligible for the May 6 election.

Check your voter registration status online and make a voting plan on the League of Women Voters’ Vote 411 site. If you’re unable to locate your voter registration information but think you are registered to vote, you can contact the BOE – their phone is 330-643-5200.

If you need to update your address, the voter registration form is also the change-of-address form. Any voters without a permanent address can use a temporary one, such as a shelter or halfway house.

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Identification requirements

Ohio requires voters to provide proof of identification when voting. IDs must not be expired, but they do not have to include your current address if it is printed in the list of registered voters.

Voters are no longer allowed to substitute utility bills, bank statements, paychecks or other documents for a valid photo ID. And the new Ohio MobileID is not a valid form of ID for voting. 

Valid types of identification: 

  • Ohio driver’s license or state ID
  • A U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
  • U.S. military, Ohio National Guard or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card
  • Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV
  • If you forget your ID, you may cast a provisional ballot
  • Find your precinct on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website

Ohioans who are 17 years and older can receive a state ID card at no cost from the BMV. Here’s more information about how to get one. 

Carla Chapman, chief diversity officer for Akron Public Schools, hands informational flyers to voters
Carla Chapman, chief diversity officer for Akron Public Schools, hands informational flyers to voters as they arrive at the Summit County Board of Elections Early Vote Center Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Akron. Chapman was out with APS Board of Education members encouraging voters to vote yes on Issue 27, the. Akron Public Schools’ levy. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)

Voter eligibility 

Here is the full list of Ohio’s voter eligibility requirements:

  • You are a citizen of the United States.  
  • You will be at least 18 years old on or before the day of the general election. 
  • You will be a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days immediately before the election in which you want to vote. 
  • You are not incarcerated (in jail or in prison) for a felony conviction. 
  • You have not been declared incompetent for voting purposes by a probate court. 
  • You have not been permanently disenfranchised for violations of election laws.
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Important dates for Primary Election on May 6

Deadline to register to vote: April 7 

Early in-person voting: Select dates and hours April 8 through May 6

Absentee voting by mail: Begins April 8  

Absentee ballot request deadline: April 29 at 8:30 p.m.

Mailed absentee ballot postmark date: May 5

Election Day: Polls will be open May 6 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Community & service reporter (they/them)
Reegan Davis Saunders is Signal Akron’s community & service reporter. Reegan studied journalism and art at Kent State University, and they are passionate about the intersection of the two disciplines.

Although Reegan grew up in metro Detroit, they have always been an Ohio State Buckeyes fan. After living in Kent the past few years, they are excited to explore more of Akron, especially the coffee shops.

At Signal Akron, Reegan hopes to serve underrepresented communities by creating more accessible content.