Make Sure Your Vote Counts: Avoid Common Mistakes on Absentee Ballots

Voting is one of our basic fundamental rights as Americans and the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus wants to make sure you take advantage of your right to vote early. According to Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, more than 1.4 million Ohioans have either cast or requested an absentee ballot with three weeks to go before Election Day. Are you preparing to cast your vote via an absentee ballot? If so, here are some common mistakes to avoid.

Follow all the instructions that come with the ballot.

It is not hard to vote by absentee ballot, but to make sure your ballot counts you must follow the instructions.

If you request an absentee ballot—use it. 

If you have asked for an absentee ballot, but then show up to vote on Election Day you will have to vote provisionally.  If you haven’t received your absentee ballot when you think you should have call your county board of elections.

Put your ballot in the identification envelope and seal it.

The most common cause of absentee ballot rejection is the ballot not being in a sealed identification envelope.  The identification envelope is necessary to show who cast the ballot and protect the secrecy of your vote.

Fill out the identification envelope completely. 

Absentee ballot cannot be counted unless the identification envelope is completely filled out including your printed name, signature, identification, and all other required information.

Turn your ballot in on time. 

Your ballot must be received by the county board of elections by the close of the polls on Election Day (November 6^th, 7:30 p.m.) or post-marked the day before (November 5^th). Postage is now required on all returned ballots. Check with your local post office or board of elections to ensure that you have the correct amount needed for mailing.

Make Your Vote Count on November 6!