Out at the Polls: The Buckeye Flame’s Ohio LGBTQ+ Voter Guide

As part of our mission of supporting civic empowerment, we’re breaking down your voting options step-by-step and adding resources to help make sure your vote gets counted – whether that means voting early, finding a ride on Election Day or casting an absentee ballot by mail.

If you’re not already registered to vote in the state of Ohio, you have until Oct. 5. Hit the button below to register online.

For LGBTQ+ Ohioans, early in-person voting may be a safer and more accessible option than casting a ballot in-person on Election Day.

In this story, we break down everything you need to know about early voting, including which identification documents you’ll need to bring and how to find the correct polling place.

For LGBTQ+ Ohioans, casting an absentee ballot by mail may be a safer, more accessible option than voting in-person on Election Day.

In this story, we explain everything you need to know about absentee voting, from requesting your ballot to tracking its status online after Election Day.

Remember, if you are registered to vote in the state of Ohio, you are eligible to vote by mail via absentee ballot. You do not need to provide a reason for voting absentee or any additional documentation.

Casting your ballot in-person on Election Day can be overwhelming, especially for LGBTQ+ voters.

In this story, we break down exactly what to expect on Election Day, step-by-step, from the second you arrive at your polling place to the moment you head home with your “I voted!” sticker.

A growing body of research suggests that LGBTQ+ people report living with disabilities at much higher rates than their straight, cisgender peers.

In this story, we outline your rights as a voter with a disability, including accommodations guaranteed by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Remember, if you are an LGBTQ+ Ohioan living with a disability, your right to vote is protected by federal law. You have the right to access accommodations during the voting process – even if poll workers say they are unfamiliar with them.

As part of our mission to boost civic engagement and legislative literacy among LGBTQ+ Ohioans, we created a list of every out LGBTQ+ candidate running for public office. In this story, you’ll meet each candidate and explore their campaign platforms.

Remember, you shouldn’t take selfies or any photos or videos that expose your ballot while you’re in the voting booth. However, you can use your phone to make a list of candidates and issues – or even fill out an entire sample ballot to reference while you’re voting.

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Ignite Action

• To learn more about voting in Ohio, or to report illegal election activity, visit 866ourvote.org.
• To speak with a trained volunteer, call or text Election Protection via the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
• To register to vote or to check your voter eligibility status in the state of Ohio, click here.
• To find contact information for your Ohio state representative, click here.
• To find contact information for your Ohio senator, click here.
• If you are a young LGBTQ+ person in crisis, please contact the Trevor Project: 866-4-U-Trevor.
• If you are an transgender adult in need of immediate help, contact the National Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860