Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I have to be registered in order to vote?
- What address may I list as my residence?
- What if I have moved or changed my name?
- Can a college student vote from their school address?
- What if I am homeless, living in a homeless shelter, or living in temporary housing?
- Where do I vote?
- Do I declare my political affiliation when I register to vote?
- May I vote on ballot issues in a Primary Election without declaring a political affiliation?
- What is Early Voting?
- May I vote if I have been convicted of a crime?
- Can I check my voter information online?
- What time are the polls open?
- When are Elections held?
- What is a Candidate Committee?
- What is a Political Party Committee?
- What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?
Do I have to be registered in order to vote?
Yes. In order to vote in Wayne County, you must be a resident of the county.
What address may I list as my residence?
Ohio law establishes your residence as the place to which, whenever you are absent, you have the intent to return. A post office box or a business address is not an acceptable address for your residence. Leaving for temporary purposes, such as military service or school attendance, does not result in change of residence for voting purposes, unless you register to vote in the area where you have moved.
What if I have moved or changed my name?
If you are now registered and move within the state or same county or change your name, you must report the change by submitting a new Voter Registration Form
to the Board of Elections. See the Register to Vote page for more information how to re-register.
Can a college student vote from their school address?
Yes, if the student establishes that place as his or her residence and registers to vote. Otherwise, the student must vote in his or her home county where they are registered to vote.
What if I am homeless, living in a homeless shelter, or living in temporary housing?
If you have someplace that will accept mail for you (for example, a friend’s or relative’s home, a church, a food pantry), you can register from that address. You need to give an address so the Board of Elections knows where to send the postcard telling you the location of your polling place.
You vote in the precinct in which you reside. You will receive a postcard from the Board of Elections that will notify you of your Ward and/or precinct and voting location. See our Precinct Locations page for specific voting locations. If you have moved, but have not updated your voter registration, call the Board of Elections 330-287-5480 for your new precinct and voting location.
Do I declare my political affiliation when I register to vote?
No. Under Ohio law, a person's political party affiliation is determined by choosing to vote a party ballot at a partisan Primary Election.
May I vote on ballot issues in a Primary Election without declaring a political affiliation?
Yes. You may vote on questions and issues on the ballot without voting for candidates of a political party. Ask for an issues only ballot when you go to vote.
Technically, there is no such thing as “Early Voting.” What this term has come to mean is the ability of the voter to cast his/her vote before Election Day IN PERSON at their local Board of Elections. By definition, this is still considered absentee voting, as you are required to fill out an “Application For Absent Voter's Ballot” before voting. You can do this at the same time you vote in person.
May I vote if I have been convicted of a crime?
A person currently serving time in jail or prison for a felony conviction cannot register to vote or vote. Additionally, a person who has twice been convicted of a violation of the elections laws is permanently barred from voting in Ohio. An otherwise qualified person convicted of a misdemeanor may vote, and one convicted of a felony may register and vote while on probation or parole or after completing his or her jail or prison sentence.
Can I check my voter information online?
Yes. You may check your voter information by performing a "Voter Information Search". If performing such a search returns the information you registered, the Board of Elections has successfully processed your voter registration form. If the search does not return your information, please contact us at 330-287-5480 to check on the status of your registration.
Polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
Primary elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May, except in a Presidential Year, in which case the date is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March. General Elections are the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, and Special Elections may be held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in February and August as required.
What is a Candidate Committee?
A Candidate Committee is formed when a person seeking public office receives or expends, or has agreed to let another receive or expend, monies in regards to that candidacy. Personal monies and candidacy monies are not to be co-mingled. A current Designation of Treasurer form must be filed with the board.
What is a Political Party Committee?
A political party is an organization whose candidates received five-percent or more of the vote for governor and lieutenant governor or nominees for presidential elector at last election. A new political party may be created by petition process, but its candidates must meet the five-percent requirement at the next election for governor or president to retain political party status.
What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?
Two or more persons who receive or spend items or money in an attempt to influence the outcome of an elections. It does not include candidates' committees, legislative campaign funds or political parties. Clubs, associations and parent/teacher organizations can be political action committees if:
- One of the main reasons for the groups existence is related to supporting or opposing candidates or ballot issues. It often engages in political activity.
- Funds were specifically raised for political activity. [R.C.3517.01(B)(8)].
Register to Vote