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In Hamilton County, a voter casts their ballot by marking a paper ballot by hand then feeding it into a scanner. The paper ballot is hand counted in an audit or recount.
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Election workers (poll workers) receive payment for their service. They receive training; set up the polling place the night before the election; and work Election Day.
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A shelter or other location where a person has been a regular inhabitant & where they are intending to return is a residence for voting purposes.
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The Board works hard to provide accessible voting for all. Options include our ballot marking system (Access Station) when voting in-person, or using a Remote Ballot Marking device from home.
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Photo ID is required when voting early in-person or on Election Day. When voting by mail, voters must provide their DL/ID #, or last four of SS# or copy of photo ID.
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In Ohio, 17 year old high school students can work the polls. Find out about our Youth at the Booth program, (we’ve trained & employed thousands of students since 2008).
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If you are convicted of a felony and incarcerated your voter registration will be cancelled. Once released from incarceration you may re-register to vote.
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A voter must request a ballot by submitting an application every election. (Exception: military and civilian overseas voter applications are good for all elections occurring in that year.)
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All validly cast absentee ballots are counted, regardless of the closeness of a race. They are the first ballots counted on Election Night.
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Polling places in Ohio must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Some polling places are changed to meet this requirement. Some private facilities choose to no longer be polling places. If your polling place is changed, you will be mailed a notice from the BOE.
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A U.S. passport or passport card is an acceptable form of ID for voting purposes.
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In Ohio, it is not permitted to send vote totals over the internet from polling locations to county board of elections. Our Vote Counting System has no internet connection.
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In Ohio, the only person who can sign your name for voting (& must be in your presence) is someone you appoint in a Attorney-In-Fact form filed with your BOE.
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An Ohio registered voter who moved within the state may cast a provisional ballot at the BOE Office or at their NEW polling location on Election Day.
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All validly cast provisional ballots are counted in the official count. On average, 90% of provisional ballots cast are counted in Hamilton County.
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Election Night results are unofficial. It takes 2-3 weeks for an Official Count that includes all valid provisional and absentee ballots that were cast.
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17 year old voters who will be 18 by the November General Election, may vote to nominate candidates in the Primary Election.
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In Ohio, voters do not declare party affiliation when registering. Party affiliation is based on the type of ballot (political party or issues only) the voter chooses in a primary election.
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A voter may choose to vote for any candidate on their ballot in the General Election (a Primary Election is where political parties nominate candidates for the General Election).