Voter Registration Information
Thank you for being a voter!
Tri-C proudly supports civic engagement year-round with the help of students, faculty and staff and is nationally recognized for its efforts.
Ohio 2022 Voting Dates
Every year, there is a Primary and General Election in Ohio. The Primary Election helps decide the final ballot candidate from each party for any elected seats up for vote in the Fall General Election. In both election cycles, there may be issues up for a vote as well. You must be registered to vote 30 days prior to any election.
It's official. There were two Primaries in Ohio in 2022.
- Primary Election #1: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 - Completed
- Primary Election #2: Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022 - Completed
The second Primary Election covered Ohio State House, Ohio State Senate and Ohio State Central Committee contests.
Next Up - The General Election: Tuesday, Nov. 8
- To vote in the upcoming General Election: Register online at VoteOhio.gov
Last day for voter registration: Tuesday, Oct. 11
- Once you're registered, choose how you want to vote. There are three choices:
- Vote-by-Mail: You must apply to Vote-by-Mail. Your application must be received by the Board of Elections by noon on the Saturday before Election Day. In 2022, that means by noon on Nov. 5. (FYI - As everything is going through the mail, sooner is better; you can request your absentee ballot at any time, as long as you're registered.)
- Early Voting: This in-person option will take place at one place in the County. In Cuyahoga County that location is the Board of Elections (BOE) at E. 30th and Euclid. Details can be found on the BOE website.
- Vote in person on Election Day at your local polling location, 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Your polling location is based on the address on your Voter Registration - and typically is within a mile or so of that address. Find your polling location.
How to Vote-by-Mail
Once you're registered to vote, you can request an Absentee Ballot and Vote-by-Mail from home. The Vote-by-Mail process has a few steps and takes a few days/weeks.
Here are the key steps and dates:
- Step 1: Request a Vote-by-Mail Ballot if you're registered. Do this today! Fill out a Vote-by-Mail Ballot Application form to request an absentee ballot. The latest this request can be received at the Board of Elections (BOE) is Saturday, before the election, at noon. Note: Given the volume of requests, and the time needed to travel back and forth via USPS, sooner is always better. Also, there is no way to vote online. USPS or in-person delivery of your ballot to the BOE are the only choices.
- You can request a a Vote-by-Mail ballot in one of four ways:
- If you have online access and a printer: Complete a form online, print, and mail to the Board of Elections (BOE). Head Here to start that process. Use the "Print Form" option when prompted. Note: There is no way to submit the form online, it must be mailed.
- If you have online access, but no printer: Visit the Board of Elections website here - fill in your name and birthday to access the form Use the "Mail Form" option.
- No online access? Call the BOE at 216-443-VOTE (8683) and ask the Board to mail you a Vote-by-Mail application.
- In Person: Tri-C Student Engagement offices as well as Public Libraries carry both Registration and Vote-by-Mail forms. Or - visit the Board of Elections (BOE.) The BOE (2925 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland) has an area just inside the back door where you can complete and drop your application. There also is a secure drop box in the parking lot to drop off the form. Live in another county? Simply search for the Board of Elections in your home county.
- You can request a a Vote-by-Mail ballot in one of four ways:
- Step 2: The day after the Voter Registration deadline, the BOE will begin mailing ballots to vote with from home. Get in line now and send in your request. Note: the process may take some time after your request is received.
- Step 3: Vote and mail your completed ballot back to the Board of Elections. Currently, a stamp is needed on this step. Also, under state law, it must be postmarked by Monday, the day before Election Day. If you are unable to put it in the mail by that time, you can drop it off in the secure dropbox located in the Board of Elections parking lot at E. 30th and Euclid in Cuyahoga County by 7:30 p.m. on the actual Election Day.
Track Your Ballot
New to Vote-by-Mail? Just like you track a package, the Board of Elections (BOE) lets you track the progress of your Vote-by-Mail request and ballot on their website. Head here.
The Voting Experience 2022 - Student-led voting events at Tri-C
For the fifth year, all four Tri-C campuses will join to host Voter Registration events in conjunction with Constitution Day (Sept. 17) and National Voter Registration Day (Sept. 20). In an era marked by COVID-19, Tri-C Democracy Fellows are working with Government Relations, the Mandel Scholars program, and Student Life to create both in-person and virtual, online voting events for The Voting Experience in 2022 - along with in-person events, as allowed.
2022 Key Fall General Election Dates
- Thursday, Sept. 15 - Join us to take the Tri-C Rock The Polls Challenge! Visit tri-c.edu/TriCVotes for a single-source access to all things voting at Tri-C! You'll find links to:
- Rock The Polls Voting Anthem & Music Video - Tri-C's new-to-the-world voting anthem written by Gospel Artist rapper Corey Bapes debuts. In it, Tri-C Democracy Fellows, student leaders, family and friends join the fun in a student-produced music video and a Rock The Polls Dance Challenge.
- Saturday, Sept. 17 – Constitution Day
- Tuesday, Sept. 20 – National Voter Registration Day 2022 (NVRD)
Tri-C is a national partner in the NVRD effort. We were proud to lead the County in voter registrations in 2017, 2018 and 2019. We're looking forward to our students and Student Life participants, working in concert with Government Relations and our Campus Vote Project Democracy Fellows, to achieve new goals in 2022. - Tuesday, Oct. 11: Last day to register to vote in the General Election
- Weds., Oct. 12:
- Early In-Person voting begins at the Board of Elections through Nov. 7.
- Vote-by-Mail ballots begin being mailed out for the General Election.
- Research your ballot ahead of time. Beginning Oct. 12, you can see your sample ballot at the BOE website. While it's heading your way in the mail, here are two non-partisan sites to review candidates: www.votesmart.org and for judges: www.judge4yourself.com
- Friday, Oct. 28 - National Vote Early Day - Think about making Oct. 28 your personal due date to return a Vote-by-Mail voted ballot. This gives USPS time to return your ballot by mail.
- Sat., Nov. 5 at noon: The last possible day applications for Vote-by-Mail absentee ballots for the Nov. 8 General Election. Applications must be received by the Board of Elections (by noon.)
- Mon., Nov. 7: Your voted ballots must be mailed via USPS and postmarked by today. Last day of early, in-person voting at the BOE.
- Tuesday, Nov. 8: General Election Day 2022 - In-person voting at Local Polling locations. (Also, if not mailed by yesterday, Vote-by-Mail ballots must be dropped off in the secure drop box in the Board of Elections parking lot by 7:30 p.m. in order to count. They must be taken to the downtown location. They will not be accepted at local polling places.)
Voter Notes
- Voter Registration can be completed online - www.VoteOhio.gov
- Vote-by-Mail requests must be printed, filled in and mailed or dropped off at the BOE.
- Voted Vote-by-Mail ballots must be mailed or dropped off at the BOE.
- Ohio Online Voter Registration - Secretary of State - VoteOhio.gov
Are You Registered to Vote?
We have three questions for you ...
- Have you moved in the last five years?
- Have you changed your name, your gender, your marital status?
- If you answered yes to any of the above, your Voter Registration must be updated.
- Have you ever registered to vote? If no, sign up today and show the country that #TriCVotes!
Tri-C has joined with Google, Facebook, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections (BOE) and thousands of partners across the country to annually celebrate American democracy with National Voter Registration Day each September. In 2022, it will be celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 20.
Remember to register to vote, so your voice can be heard each election cycle. It's one way you can truly help change the world.
- All Ohioans can register/make updates online at VoteOhio.gov with a valid address, an Ohio ID or driver’s license and last four digits of your SS#
- If you don’t have those at the moment, no worries. Simply fill out a paper form. Download it here. Fill it out, place in an envelope and mail it, or drop it off, to your local County Board of Elections.
Facts for Thought …
- In any five-year period, 45% of eligible voters will move and voter registration doesn't travel with you. Each move requires you to update your address in order to keep voting.
- In half of the country’s most populous cities, less than 20% of the population voted and determined the next mayor. Register now to be heard in each Primary and November General Election. #TriCVotes