Office of Student Life
Leadership and Community Engagement

How to Vote on Election Day

Registering to vote is only the first step! Students should be prepared for voting on Election Day by doing their research, making sure they have a valid photo ID, and understanding what a provisional ballot is. Learn more on how to vote on Election Day below.

Where do I find my polling location?

Election Day polling locations vary based on the address at which you are registered to vote.

Students registered in the Columbus campus area have convenient polling locations only a short walk or bus ride from their residences. Many polling locations for the Columbus campus area are detailed below. However, always be sure to check your specific polling location before each election.

Ohio Union (All residence halls except those noted below)

Lane Avenue to 11th Avenue
Olentangy River to Summit Street

Tuttle Recreation Center (Point on Lane, Statehouse Lane and Statehouse Norwhich)

Lane Avenue to Hudson Street
Olentangy River to High Street

E Maynard Avenue to Hudson Street
High Street to 4th Street

Thompson Recration Center (German House)

King Avenue to 5th Avenue
Olentangy River to High Street

11th Avenue to King Avenue/McMillen Avenue
Worthington Street to High Street

King Avenue United Methodist Church (Residence on Tenth, Hanley House, Scholars Houses, Neil Building, Pomerene House, Worthington and Pennsylvania Place)

12th Avenue/11th Avenue to King Avenue
Olentangy River to Worthington Street

Veritas Community Church (Statehouse Highline)

11th Avenue to 5th Avenue
High Street to 4th Street

ARC Voyagers West

Hudson Street to Maynard Avenue
Indianola Avenue to 4th Street

Maynard Avenue to Northwood Avenue
High Street to Indianola Avenue

Metro at Indianola

Maynard Avenue to 11th Avenue
Summit Street to 4th Street

Lane Avenue to Northwood Avenue/Oakland Avenue
High Street to Summit Street

Indianola Avenue to Summit Street
14th Avenue to 11th Avenue

Metro Elementary School

North Star Road to Olentangy River
Ackerman Road/Dodridge Street to Kinnear Road

Where do I find my sample ballot?

A sample ballot is a ballot that has all of the candidates and measures for you to view before you vote.

In Ohio, voters can utilize their cell phones to conduct research at the polls on Election Day. However, it is highly recommended to review your sample ballot and conduct research prior to Election Day.

What do I need to bring when I vote?

Valid photo ID is required for in-person voting in Ohio. You can use any of the following:

  • Ohio driver's license or state of Ohio ID card
  • Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV
  • A U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
  • U.S. military ID, Ohio National Guard ID or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card

For in-person voting in Ohio, ID from any other state is not considered a valid form of identification to vote on Election Day. Without an Ohio ID, students must bring another form of valid photo ID listed above to vote on Election Day. If you do not have any of the above forms of valid voter ID, you can vote absentee in Ohio or choose to vote in your home state. Each state's voter ID laws are different, so be sure to check the specific requirements for your state.

Unacceptable forms of identification for in-person voting include:
  • Driver’s license or photo identification card issued by a state other than Ohio 
  • Expired valid forms of photo ID listed above
  • OSU Statement of account
  • BuckID
  • Social Security card
  • Birth certificate
  • Insurance car 
  • Utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Government check
  • Paycheck
  • Other government document 
  • Any registration acknowledgment notice from the county board of elections 

What is a provisional ballot?

A provisional ballot is a ballot that one can cast when a voter would not otherwise be able to vote at their polling location. If you have to fill out a provisional ballot, you will still vote on all the candidates and issues, but additional steps will need to be taken to make sure your ballot is counted on Election Day.

A provisional ballot cast by an individual who is not registered to vote in Ohio by the voter registration deadline cannot be counted. You must cast your provisional ballot at the correct precinct for your current address. Provisional ballots cast at the wrong precinct will not be counted. Below are common reasons why a student may be asked to cast a provisional ballot on Election Day in Ohio. 

The voter does not provide or is unable to provide proper or valid identification

For example, if you forget a valid photo ID, you will complete a provisional ballot. In order for your ballot to be counted, you must present a valid photo ID to the Board of Elections within four days of the election. An expired ID or ID from a state other than Ohio are not considered valid forms of photo ID. If you do not have a valid form of photo ID then you will need to cast an absentee ballot.

The voter has moved to a different precint without updateing their address by the voter registration deadline

For example, if you were registered at your home address in Ohio by the voter registration deadline but did not update your voter registration to your campus address, you will complete a provisional ballot. In order for your ballot to be counted, you must cast your provisional ballot at the correct precinct for your current address. You must already be registered to vote in Ohio by the voter registration deadline for this type of provisional ballot to be counted.

The voter is marked in the poll book as having requested an absentee ballot and appears at a precinct polling location to vote on Election Day

For example, if you request an absentee ballot in Ohio but forget to mail it back and choose to vote on Election Day instead, you will complete a provisional ballot. In order for your provisional ballot to be counted, you must not complete your absentee ballot or it must not be received by the Board of Elections by the close of polls on Election Day.

To complete a provisional ballot, you must complete and sign the Provisional Ballot Affirmation Statement at your polling location. You are required to include:

  • The voter's printed name
  • The voter's valid signature
  • The voter's date of birth
  • The voter's current address
  • An acceptable form of ID*

*If you do not have a valid photo ID on Election Day and cast a provisional ballot, you must present a valid photo ID to the Board of Elections within four days of the election for you ballot to be counted. An expired ID or ID from a state other than Ohio are not considered valid forms of photo ID. If you do not have a valid form of photo ID then you will need to cast an absentee ballot.

Learn More About OSU Votes