Rules for Returning Absentee Ballots in Ohio
Who Can Return a Ballot?
- Unless a voter is disabled, only the voter or a designated family member (spouse, parents, siblings, children, grandparents, in-laws, or household members) can return an absentee ballot. A disabled voter may select any person of their choosing to deliver their ballot, other than their employer or an officer in their union.
How to Return a Ballot:
- By Mail
- Must be postmarked no later than the day before Election Day (November 4).
- Postmarked absentee ballots must be received by Boards of Election by the 4th day after the election (November 9)
- If the ballot lacks a postmark or you would like to deliver it in person, it must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day (November 5) at the Board of Election (see guidance for returning a ballot “In Person” below).
- Voters are responsible for postage.
- If you buy postage at a USPS customer service window or vending machine, the date on the label is the postmark. This is the USPS recommended way to postmark your ballot.
- If you use stamps, ask at the post office that it be postmarked. You should not use a postage meter or an online service (such as stamps.com) to affix postage.
- In Person
- You or a qualifying family member may deliver the ballot in person to the board of elections office using the secure drop box designated for returning ballots.
- Ballots must be delivered by the close of polls on Election Day to be counted.
- Do not return your ballot on election day at your polling place.
Checklist for Voters
- Choose who will return your ballot:
- You or a close family member (such as a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or another household family member).
- If mailing your ballot:
- Mail it by the day before Election Day to ensure it’s postmarked on time.
- If there’s no postmark, it must arrive by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
- Don’t forget to add postage!
- If delivering in person:
- You or a close family member can take the ballot to the board of elections office.
- Deliver it to the Board of Elections (not your regular polling place) before the polls close on Election Day.
Important: Do not drop off your absentee ballot at a polling place on Election Day—it must go directly to the board of elections office.