Ohio’s new election law requires that absentee ballots arrive at Boards of Elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. This change — combined with the unpredictability of mail service — makes mailing ballots in time to be counted a gamble.
So, if you or your family members plan to mail in your absentee ballot, request it now and mail it in as soon as you receive it. Or, make a different plan. “My solution to the problem is to encourage people to bring their absentee ballots to the BOE, recognizing that is a burden for people in many parts of the county,” said Ray Lembke, Clermont County Board of Elections Chair and former CCDP Chair.
It’s also possible that ballot drop boxes present problems. “I am told that there is a reasonable chance that, in time for the general election, the law will be changed to either ban ballot drop boxes altogether or to require that drop boxes may only be unlocked to receive ballots when there is a bipartisan team of BOE staff literally standing by the drop box. I’m reluctantly coming to the conclusion that the only reliable ways to vote are early in person or at your precinct polling place on election day.”
Important Dates
- March 20 – Military and Overseas absentee voting begins
- April 6 – Deadline to register to vote or update registration
- April 7 – Early voting and absentee voting by mail begin
- May 5 – Primary election day, absentee ballots must arrive at BOE by 7:30 p.m.
