Correction:

The headline was edited to remove the Akron Urban League, which canvassed the neighborhood around its headquarters as part of its Reclaim Your Vote initiative, but was not included in this story.

Camped in front of the new “Vote Bus” at the downtown Akron Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center, volunteers John Fuller, Lillie Jackson and Sandra McClain called out “Voter registration!” as people passed by. 

Metro RTA riders stopped at their table to say hello, grab a granola bar or ask a quick question about the upcoming election. 

It was all part of Tuesday’s National Voter Registration Day, with volunteers from the Akron chapter of the NAACP helping Metro RTA travelers prepare for the November election.

These types of interactions are important, said McClain, who is the chair of the Connections and Social Action Committee for Zeta Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She said that the NAACP tries to connect volunteers from different local organizations to work these events. 

“The more you interact, hopefully they’ll be less timid, less scared,” McClain said. “We can dispel a lot of myths they’ve heard along the way” about voting, such as the belief Nov. 5 is the only day residents can vote.

The volunteers helped register voters and ensure they are aware of the information needed to be able to vote on Election Day without any trouble. Informing the Board of Elections of an address change is one thing voters often forget, McClain said. 

Lillie Jackson hands voter registration and other information to Maurice Valerio.
Lillie Jackson hands voter registration and other information to Maurice Valerio outside of the Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center in downtown Akron during National Voter Registration Day Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)

How to check your voter registration status

Oct. 7 is the registration deadline for the Nov. 5 general election. You can check your voter registration status online. If you’re unable to locate your voter registration information, but think you are registered to vote, you can contact the Summit County Board of Elections. 

You can register online, by mail or in person, including at Akron-Summit County Public Library branches. There are also a number of voter registration drives around the city. 

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

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. 

Volunteers from the Akron chapter of the NAACP help get Akron residents registered to vote.
Volunteers from the Akron chapter of the NAACP help get Akron residents registered to vote outside of the Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center in downtown Akron during National Voter Registration Day Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)

Important dates for the 2024 election 

Deadline to register to vote: Oct. 7 

Early in-person voting: Select dates Oct. 8 through Nov. 3

Absentee voting by mail: Begins Oct. 8 

Absentee ballot request deadline: Oct. 29 at 8:30 p.m.
Mailed absentee ballot postmark date: Nov. 4

Election Day: Nov. 5 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

🗳️For more on this year’s November election, visit our Election Signals 2024 page.

In-person early voting

The Summit County Board of Elections, located at 500 Grant St., is holding in-person absentee voting leading up to the election. 

In-person early voting times: 

  • Oct. 8-11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
  • Oct. 14-18 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
  • Oct. 21-25 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Oct. 26 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Oct. 27 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 
  • Oct. 28 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Oct. 29 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 
  • Oct. 30-Nov. 1 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Nov. 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

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.

Voter eligibility 

Here is the full list of 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.
Signal background

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.