The 2020 election year is finally here, and with each election, Ohio voters play a vital role in deciding the future of the candidates and issues on their ballot. Throughout this year, Ohio voters will help determine not only the U.S. president and vice-president, but also representatives to Congress, members of the Ohio General Assembly, Ohio Supreme Court Justices, judges, county office holders and more — which is why it’s important to be an informed and prepared voter.

In Preparation

Mark your calendar! The deadline to register to vote or update your voter registration is February 18, 2020 for the March 17, 2020 Primary Election. Registering to vote or updating your address can easily be done online. A paper form can also be filled out and sent or dropped off at your county board of elections as well. If you’re unsure whether you’re registered to vote, you can check your voter registration here.

For absentee ballots, remember to request a ballot specifically for the primary election. Absentee ballots can be requested by the three-day window before March 17; however, if mailing your ballot, it must be postmarked by the day before the election in order to be counted. Otherwise you may return it in-person to your county board of elections.

So, whether you plan on voting at the polls on election day or sending in an absentee ballot, you can find the full list of voting options online. Select the method you plan on using and you’ll find a detailed list of next steps.

The full election calendar can also be found online.

Election Day

The polls will be open on March 17 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., so it’s important to be ready to visit the polls. Find your polling location here, but before heading out, make sure you have a form of identification in order to cast your ballot. The different types of identification that can be used are listed here.

To Note

As the Primary Election gets closer, you can refresh yourself on the candidates by checking out the Ohio Chamber’s official candidate list which includes State House of Representatives, State Senate, U.S. House and Ohio Court of Appeals primary candidates.

You can also browse through election resources to learn all about the current election landscape on the Ohio Prosperity Project website. The Ohio Prosperity Project aims to provide non-partisan and non-biased information so that you can register to vote, learn where candidates stand on key issues and cast your ballot in the upcoming election. The program provides this information so you can understand the candidates and issues you’re voting on and the impact your vote has on the Ohio business community and economy.