What to know about Ohio’s photo ID requirement for in-person voting
If you haven’t voted since 2022, it’s time to brush up on Ohio’s new rules, including a photo ID requirement for in-person voting.
- Ohio voters will head to the polls for the 2025 election on Tuesday, November 4.
- Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. across the state.
- Voters must present an unexpired photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, to cast a ballot in person.
- Voters can find their polling location and view a sample ballot on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.
Ohio voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Voters across the Buckeye State will weigh in on a variety of issues on Election Day, ranging from a $1.9 billion bond package for the city of Columbus and a Columbus Zoo and Aquarium levy in Central Ohio to a proposed charter amendment in Summit County to shield property owners from major tax increases.
But before you head out, you may be wondering, what time do the polls close in Ohio? What’s on the ballot in your precinct? Has your voting location moved? Are you even registered to vote in the state?
Here’s what you need to know before casting your vote.
When is Election Day 2025?
Election Day is today, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. According to federal law, it is always the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November.
What time do polls close in Ohio?
Polls close at 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, according to Ohio’s election calendar. They opened at 6:30 a.m.
How to check your voter registration status in Ohio
You can check if you’re registered to vote in the state of Ohio via the Secretary of State’s office. To check, you must provide your first and last name and the county in which you currently reside.
How can I check my Ohio ballot before Election Day?
The Ohio Secretary of State’s office has sample ballots for every precinct in the state available online. To find it, choose your county on the Ohio Secretary of State website. From there, enter your name, find yourself in the search results and click “sample ballots.”
Is it too late to request an absentee ballot in Ohio?
According to the Ohio Secretary of State, it is too late to request an absentee ballot for the Nov. 4 election. The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot was the close of business seven days before the election; in this case, Oct. 28, 2025.
If you wish to vote by mail in future elections, you can request an application for an absentee ballot in one of two ways:
- Ask your county board of elections to mail you an application.
- Download the application and mail it to your board of elections.
Absentee ballots that have already been requested needed to be postmarked by Monday, Nov. 3 to be valid in the election. You can return your absentee ballot in person to your county board of elections before polls close at 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
What kind of identification do I need to vote in Ohio?
Ohio voters must show a photo ID when they cast in-person ballots, either early or on Election Day. The ID cannot be expired, but it doesn’t need to have your current address on it.
Other documents, such as utility bills and bank statements, are no longer accepted.
Acceptable IDs include:
- Ohio driver’s license
- Ohio state ID
- U.S. passport or passport card
- U.S. military ID, Ohio National Guard ID or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID
- Interim ID issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Where do I vote in Ohio? How to find your polling location
Not sure where to vote? The Ohio Secretary of State’s website can help with that, too. To check, click your county on the map, or navigate to the alphabetical list of Ohio counties, and then enter your address.
Options for voters with disabilities
Ohio has several options for voters confined to their home or a nursing home, or whose disabilities otherwise prevent them from voting in person. Options include the ability to vote from their car if they are physically unable to enter the polling location and more. For a full list of services, visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.
When is the Ohio governor election?
While the race for Ohio’s next governor won’t be decided for another year, campaigning is already underway. So far, the candidates include Dr. Amy Acton running as a Democrat, with another Democrat, Tim Ryan, mulling a run, and Vivek Ramaswamy as a Republican candidate.
The political parties will choose their candidates during Ohio’s primary election on May 5, 2026. The victors will head to the ballot for the Nov. 3, 2026, election.
