To vote in Ohio on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, you will need to bring a form of identification, either your driver's license or something that has your name and current address. If you're confused about where to go to vote, you can go to GottaVote Ohio or to the Ohio Secretary of State's webpage. Those sources also have information about the kind of ID you'll need to vote.

If you are in the wrong polling place, your vote probably won't be counted. If you are in the right polling place but have trouble with your ID, you may be given a provisional ballot. It's better to get a regular ballot. If you have to use a provisional ballot, there are things to do to make sure it gets counted.

If someone tries to stop you from voting, or there are problems, you can call the Ohio Voter hotline: 1-855-VOTE-199

Let's cover some of the frequently asked questions:

1. Where should I go to vote?

If you're unsure where your polling place is, go here or here to look it up.

2. What ID should I bring?

The forms of identification that may be used by a voter who appears at a polling place to vote on an Election Day include:

• A current and valid photo identification card issued by the State of Ohio or the United States government; or
• A military identification ("military ID"); or
• An original or copy of a current utility bill; or
• An original or copy of a current bank statement; or
• An original or copy of a current government check; or
• An original or copy of a current paycheck; or
• An original or copy of a current other government document, other than a voter registration acknowledgement notification mailed by the board of elections, that shows the voter’s name and current address.

For Voter I.D. purposes "current" means the document was issued on a date within one year immediately preceding the date of the election at which the voter seeks to vote, or has on it an expiration date after November 6, 2012.

If your ID has expired AND it is more than a year old, then you need a different ID.

3) What if I don't have that kind of ID?

Voters who do not provide one of these documents at the precinct will still be able to vote using a provisional ballot. Voters who do not have any of the above forms of identification, including a Social Security number, will still be able to vote by signing an affirmation statement swearing to the voter’s identity under penalty of election falsification and by casting a provisional ballot.

4) What if my license has my old address on it? 

A voter presenting an Ohio driver’s license that shows the voter’s former address is permitted to cast a regular ballot so long as the voter’s current residential address is printed in the official poll list of registered voters for that precinct. 

5) What happens if I get a provisional ballot?

Try not to get a provisional ballot if you can help it. If you do get one, you may be asked to fill in the ID information on the ballot that you used. There is a court fight about this, but to be on the safe side make sure to do it yourself.

You have to fill in, carefully, the section on the ballot about the kind of ID you used. Make sure to fill this in carefully. Ask the poll workers for help if you're confused. (They're definitely allowed to help you, even if they're not allowed to fill it in.) Ask the poll workers if you've done it right before you hand in the ballot.


6) What if the line is too long, or the polls close before I get to vote vote?

You must be allowed to vote if you got in line before the polls close at 7:30 Tuesday night. If you get in line before the polls close but don't get to vote before 7:30 STAY IN LINE until they let you vote.

Voting is your right as an American, and it wasn't the people manning the tables at your polling place who gave it to you. They can't take it away from you either. Don't leave until you vote.


7) What if I have trouble voting?

Call the Ohio Voter Hotline: 1-855-VOTE-199