U.S. Election | Graphic by Emily Lewis | The Wright State Guardian
Here is a guide to absentee voting ahead of the Nov. 8, 2022 midterm elections.
What is absentee voting?
Absentee voting consists of requesting the ballot ahead of time and then mailing it in or dropping it off to a ballot drop box. In either case, this is done on or before election day.
What is needed?
First, citizens must be registered to vote. Voter registration for Ohio closed on Oct. 11 with absentee ballots to be requested no later than Nov. 5.
Next, voters can request voting ballots through the Ohio Secretary of State website. Ballots submitted via mail should be sent to the Ohio Board of Elections. The post date must be no later than the day before the election, Nov. 7.
Most county election offices also serve as drop-off ballot locations. Ballots must be dropped off before 7:30 p.m., the time when polls close, on election day.
Why vote via absentee?
According to Stephanie Buettner, the president of the Feminist Leadership Majority Alliance, absentee voting is a good option since it provides an opportunity to vote before election day. Buettner mentioned the benefits of absentee voting for college students specifically.
“You can vote from where you are located at the moment instead of going all the way back to your hometown to cast your ballot,” Buettner said.
Buettner views voting as an important civic act.
“I think it is important to vote because it's one of the best ways for citizens to have a say in how our government is run. Also, it gives an opportunity to seek change if you are unhappy with how things are being run,” Buettner said.
Voting polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 8.
