10 things LGBTQ+ Ohioans should know about absentee voting

Voting can be overwhelming, particularly for LGBTQ+ Ohioans.

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.

For LGBTQ+ Ohioans, casting an absentee ballot by mail may be a safer, more accessible option than voting in-person on Election Day. Here’s what you should know:

1. What is absentee voting?

Sometimes called mail-in voting, absentee voting is a process that allows registered voters to cast their ballots by mail ahead of Election Day – Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. 

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.

Typically, registered voters need to request, fill out and return an absentee ballot application in order to receive an actual absentee ballot by mail.

But this year, Ohio mailed around 8 million unsolicited absentee ballot applications, so you may have already received one in the mail. This is not your actual absentee ballot, but an application to receive one.

You’ll need to return your absentee ballot application no later than 8:30 p.m. on October 27. After election officials review your application, they’ll send your actual absentee ballot by mail. 

After returning an absentee ballot application, voters will receive an official absentee ballot packet, including an official return envelope. To cast your absentee ballot, you’ll return it by mail or in-person at your county board of elections.

2. When does absentee voting start?

Absentee voting begins October 6. 

In order for your absentee ballot to be counted, it must be received by your county board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

If you mail your ballot, it must be postmarked no later than November 2, and received by your county board of elections no later than four days after Election Day.

Hit the button below for a full list of Ohio voting times, dates and important deadlines for the 2026 General Election.

3. How do I know if I’m eligible to vote by mail?

If you are registered to vote in the state of Ohio, you are eligible to receive an absentee ballot and cast your vote by mail. Hit the button below to check your voter registration status in the state of Ohio.

4. What should I do if I’m not registered to vote?

If you are not registered to vote – or if you need to update your address, name or other voter registration information – hit the button below and register by October 5.

5. How do I get an absentee ballot?

Typically, you’ll need to fill out your own application to request an absentee ballot be mailed to you. But this year, Ohio election officials sent out about 8 million unsolicited absentee ballot applications – so you may have already received one in the mail.

If you have already received an absentee ballot application, you’ll need to return it to your county board of elections no later than 8:30 p.m. on October 27. After reviewing your application, elections officials will mail you your actual ballot.

Hit the button below to request an absentee ballot application.

6. Can I vote by mail if I’m attending college away from home?

Yes. Absentee ballots are specifically designed to serve out-of-state college students, along with other Ohioans completing temporary travel, work or education out-of-state or away from their permanent addresses.

If you are attending college out-of-state, you should follow the same process, you can have your absentee ballot mailed to your temporary address at school and return it by mail.

If you are attending college in-state, you can also register to vote using your school address if you don’t intend to return to your home address. Once you register to vote using your campus address, that location becomes your new voting residence and replaces your old one.

Remember, you’ll need to submit your absentee ballot application no later than October 27.

Once your application is received, election officials will mail you an absentee ballot, including a postmarked envelope to mail the ballot back to your county board of elections office in Ohio. However, you will need to provide your own postage.

Remember, your ballot must be postmarked no later than November 2, and received by your county board of elections no later than four days after Election Day.

7. Can I mail my ballot at a regular USPS mailbox?

Yes. You can drop your absentee ballot in any ordinary USPS mailbox.

If you prefer, instead of mailing your absentee ballot, you can hand-deliver it to your county board of elections any time before 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. You must drop off your own ballot; you cannot have someone else drop it off for you.

Hit the button below for a full directory of county boards of elections with secure voting drop-boxes on site.

8. Can I cast a provisional ballot if I’m voting by mail?

A provisional ballot is designed to accommodate voters who cannot provide the required identification documents.

No, you cannot cast a provisional ballot by mail. You can still vote provisionally in-person at your county board of elections or an approved early voting location beginning 28 days before Election Day.

Provisional ballots are only counted after election officials have determined the voter’s eligibility – typically requiring the voter to provide follow-up documentation.

9. What should I do if the name on my ID doesn’t match my voter registration?

If the name on your state ID does not match the name on your voter registration, you will need to request a provisional ballot in-person during early voting or on Election Day. 

Remember, you can cast a provisional ballot in person without physically presenting poll workers with a state-issued photo ID. Instead, you can use your Ohio driver’s license or state ID card number or the last four digits of your social security number. However, you will still need to provide a state-issued photo ID when you follow-up with your county board of elections within four days of Election Day.

Your provisional ballot should come with a detailed list of follow-up instructions. Hit the button below to see Ohio’s Provisional Ballot Notice, which includes acceptable forms of ID and other documentation.

After casting a provisional ballot, transgender Ohioans may need to provide county elections officials with both an original birth certificate and a court order for their legal name change.

Come prepared with more than one required document to prove your identity. Hit the buttons below to view a full list of accepted documents – along with tips from American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)‘s for navigating Ohio’s strict voter ID laws.

10. How do I know if my absentee ballot was counted?

After your absentee ballot is in the mail, you can use an interactive map to track it in real time and confirm it has been counted by elections officials.

Hit the button below to track your own absentee ballot.

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Ignite Action

• To learn more about early voting in Ohio, or to report illegal election activity, visit 866ourvote.org.
• 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