By Samantha Schulz

This year’s election will take place on Tuesday, November 5. To vote in the election, you have to be 18 years old at the time of the election. You had to register by October 7, either online on https://olvr.ohiosos.gov/, in person at the local election office, or by mail to vote in the upcoming election. You can check your registration via VoteOhio.gov: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/.

When registering and voting, you need a valid form of identification. Ohio has access to early voting from October 8 to November 3.  You can vote at the main office of your county Board of Elections, at 8 am -5 pm Monday through Friday, 8 am – 4 pm on Saturday, and 1 – 5pm on the Sunday before election day. 

“I was told where to vote and went online to register,” senior and first-time voter Preston Valentie said. “I’m going in person to vote on November 5 instead of doing early voting.”

On election day, when you arrive at the voting location that you find via your registration, you will see the election workers ready to provide help. When you reach the private area to vote, you will get a ballot that provides the candidates and issues and you will be allowed to select your choice on the paper or electronic ballot provided. Local churches, schools, libraries, and arenas provide voting spaces.

If you choose to vote by mail, the Ohio ballots will come with the return envelope. It has to be completely filled out with your signature and postmarked by November 5.  

“I haven’t ever missed an election primary or general election,” teacher Julie Giles said. She has voted for 36 years. “Which means I have gotten summoned for many jury duties due to that. I had a government teacher who really emphasized the importance of voting, which made me know the importance. I always research the candidates and issues beforehand.” 

To research candidates and issues, you can use resources like The Dayton Daily Voter Guide to find out more.