Ohio Voting Rules

Just to be safe, before you head to the polls, know that THESE are the rules in Ohio:

You are qualified to register to vote in Ohio if you meet all the following requirements:

• You are a citizen of the United States;
• You will be at least 18 years old on or before the day of the general election. (If you will be 18 on or before November 4, you may vote in the primary election for candidates, but you cannot vote on issues until you are 18);
• You will be a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days immediately before the election in which you want to vote;
• You are not incarcerated (in prison or jail) for a felony conviction under the laws of this state, another state or the United States;
• You have not been declared incompetent for voting purposes by a probate court; and
• You have not been permanently disenfranchised for violations of the election laws.

The other frequently used method to keep qualified people from voting is to tell them they are ineligible if they have been convicted of a felony. Here's the actual rule:

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.