Voters with disabilities can empower people of all abilities with their vote too! We’ve assembled helpful information, resources and links to help you navigate all you need to know to make your voice heard on November 7th. .

Helpful Links

• Resources for Voters with Disabilities (Secretary of State website)
• Request voting accommodations
• Accessible early voting
• Accessible election day voting

FAQs

Am I able to get assistance voting or have accommodations to help me vote?

Yes. If you are a person that has an accessibility concern or requires an accommodation to participate in an Ohio Secretary of State program, service, or activity, requests for accommodation may be made by contacting the office’s ADA Coordinator. IMPORTANT NOTE:  According to the Secretary of State’s website, all requests must be made at least 10 business days prior to any applicable deadline or occurrence of an event. Ohio Secretary of State ADA Coordinator contact:

• Email(opens in a new window)
• Phone (877) SOS-Ohio (877-767-6446)
• TTY (614) 466-0562
• TTY Toll-free: (877) 644-6889

Can I bring someone with me to help me vote?

Yes, if you cannot mark your ballot or if you need assistance because of your disability, you may bring someone with you to help you vote, or you may ask for assistance from precinct election officials. You may ask anyone to help you vote, except for the following people:

• Your employer
• An agent of your employer
• An agent of your union
• Any candidate whose name appears on the ballot in your precinct.

Can I vote by absentee ballot?

Absolutely. In Ohio, you do not need to state a reason to vote absentee. Absentee voting is an option for all Ohio registered voters. A ballot can be requested by mail or voted in person at a county board of elections or the designated early voting location. You can download the forms you need from the Summit County Board of Elections.

Can I register to vote if I can’t sign my name?

Absolutely. If you are unable to sign your own name and have no other legal mark, make an “X,” if possible, on the application signature line. The person who witnessed you making that mark must write his or her name beneath the signature line.

If you are unable to make an “X,” you must indicate in some manner to the person assisting you that you want to register to vote. The person registering you must sign the application form and attest that you indicated that you want to register to vote.

Generally, signing or affixing a signature to an election-related document requires a person’s written, cursive-style legal mark written in that person’s own hand. However, a voter with a disability may personally affix his or her signature through the use of a reasonable accommodation, including the use of assistive technology or an augmentative device such as a signature stamp. See R.C. 3501.011, 3501.382(F) and related OAG 2015-012.

You can complete the online registration form, with assistance. Also, Summit DD’s Intake office can help you register.  Call them at 330-634-8676.

Are polling locations accessible?

Yes. In Ohio, every polling location is required to have a voting machine that is accessible to individuals with disabilities. These machines include features like audio ballots, Braille touch pads, large print/zoom features, and height and tilt adjustments on the screens. When you arrive at your polling location, please let the poll workers know if you would like to use the ADA compliant voting machines.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Not necessarily. There are several types of valid photo identification you may bring in order to verify your identity at the polls. Accepted forms of photos IDs include:

• Ohio driver’s license
• State of Ohio ID card
• Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV
• A US passport
• A US passport card
• US military ID card
• Ohio National Guard ID card
• US Department of Veterans Affairs ID card

Please note, according to the Secretary of State’s website, all photo IDs must have the following:

• An expiration date that has not passed
• A photograph of the voter
• The voter’s name, which must substantially conform to the voter’s name as it appears in the Poll List or in the Poll Book
• Learn more about voter identification requirements

I have a guardian, can I still vote?

Yes, and you should exercise your right to vote. As long as you meet eligibility requirements and have not been declared incompetent for voting purposes by a probate court, you are qualified to register and vote.

Am I able to utilize curbside voting?

Yes. Ohio voters with disabilities can vote curbside if they are physically unable to enter their early voting location. With curbside voting, two poll workers from opposite major political parties bring out a ballot, and voters have the option to sit in their vehicle to vote or vote at the door of the early voting location.

Please note, per the Secretary of State’s website, if early voting, arrangements must be made to vote curbside at the early voting location prior to arrival.

Be sure to make your voice heard on November 7 and vote yes for the Summit DD replacement levy.

Visit our election toolkit for other useful links and information

Visit the Secretary of State for a full set of resources, including videos.