Overview
- Early in-person voting began Tuesday, Oct. 6, with Hamilton County election officials reporting higher turnout on opening day than in the last midterm cycle.
- State lawmakers removed a four-day grace period for mail ballots earlier this year so mailed ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day to be counted, and officials are urging voters to mail or return ballots early to avoid disqualification.
- Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced a continuous daily audit of county and statewide voter rolls to find and resolve discrepancies faster than the former annual review.
- Voters casting early in-person ballots must present an approved photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport, and counties are recruiting poll workers who will be paid $225 to staff voting sites.
- The votes being cast include races for governor, U.S. House and Senate and local levies, and officials say turnout patterns and the tighter mail deadline could affect how quickly results are finalized and how counties manage election-day logistics.