Ohio 2024 voter guide: What to know about registration, casting ballots, photo ID rules

2024 will be a big year for Ohio.

Voters will help choose the next president of the United States and could determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. They'll decide who should represent them at the Ohio Statehouse. On top of that, there may be ballot questions about minimum wage, redistricting reform and a right to hunt and fish.

The primary is scheduled for March 19, 2024, and the general election will take place Nov. 5, 2024.

Ohio enacted changes to its voting laws in 2023. Here's everything you need to know to vote in 2024.

How do I register to vote in Ohio?

Ohioans can register to vote if they are U.S. citizens and will be at least 18 years old by the election. Seventeen-year-olds who turn 18 on or before the general election can vote in the primary to nominate candidates, but they can't vote for issues or party central committee members.

Voters must live in Ohio for at least 30 days before the election. Those who are incarcerated for a felony can't vote, nor can anyone who's permanently disenfranchised for violating election laws.

You can register to vote online at olvr.ohiosos.gov or mail this form to your county board of elections. In-person registration is available at boards of elections, Bureau of Motor Vehicles locations, public libraries and several other spots.

You'll need this information to register: Name, address, date of birth, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your Ohio driver's license or state ID number.

How do I know if I'm registered to vote in Ohio?

You can check your registration status at voterlookup.ohiosos.gov.

When is the deadline to register to vote in Ohio?

The voter registration deadline for Ohio's March primary election is Feb. 20.

Do I pick a political party when I register to vote in Ohio?

No. Ohioans declare their party by voting in partisan primaries. If you don't vote in those, you'll be considered unaffiliated.

How to vote by mail

You can get an application to request a mail-in ballot one of two ways: Ask your board of elections to mail you one, or download the application online. You can request an absentee ballot for the March primary starting Dec. 20, and the deadline for requests is close of business on March 12.

Completed ballots must be postmarked by March 18 and received by boards of elections no later than March 23 to be counted. If you don't mail your ballot in time, you can take it to your local board before polls close on Election Day.

How to vote early in-person

Ohioans can vote early at their county's designated location, which is usually the board of elections. Visit voteohio.gov to find your early voting spot.

Early in-person voting for the March primary begins Feb. 21. (This story will be updated when specific dates and times are set.)

Per the new voting law, Ohio no longer offers early in-person voting the Monday before the election.

What kind of ID do I need?

Ohio now requires voters to show a photo ID when they cast in-person ballots, either early or on Election Day. The ID must be unexpired, but it doesn't need to have your current address on it. Other documents, such as utility bills and bank statements, are no longer accepted.

The following documents qualify:

• Ohio driver's license

• Ohio state ID

• U.S. passport or passport card

• U.S. Military ID, Ohio National Guard ID or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID

• Interim identification issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Free state IDs are available to residents at BMV deputy registrar locations. More information can be found at bmv.ohio.gov.

To cast a ballot by mail, voters must provide a copy of their photo ID, driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number.

What if I forget my ID?

If you don't have your ID or run into other problems at the polls on Election Day, you can cast a provisional ballot.

Voters have four days to provide any missing information to election officials. Boards of elections have until eight days after the election to determine which provisional ballots can be counted.

Are ballot drop boxes available?

Yes.

Each county has a drop box set up at the board of elections. You can bring your completed absentee ballot there any time before polls close on Election Day. All drop boxes are monitored by video surveillance.

How to vote on Election Day in Ohio

Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. You can find your polling place at voteohio.gov.

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio 2024 voter guide: How to register to vote in Ohio and more