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Voting

We have gathered together all the information that you need to ensure that you can practice your right to vote in Richland County.  Our staff is also ready to help guide you in the right direction for answers to any questions you might have in the registration process.

Where do I Vote?

Find your voting location, sample ballot, look up your voter registration status and more at VOTEOHIO.GOV  
 

Qualifications to Vote

According to the Ohio Secretary of State, you must meet the following qualifications to be eligible to vote:

  • You are a citizen of the United States
  • You will be at least 18 years old on or before the day of the next general election
  • 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 for a felony conviction under the laws of Ohio, another state, or the United States
  • You have not been declared incompetent for voting purposes by a probate court
  • You have not been permanently disenfranchised for violating the election laws

Register to Vote

You must register to vote no later than 30 days before an election. You can pick up a voter registration form at any of our library branches or the form can be downloaded.

The library will be happy to hand deliver your registration form or you can send your form to the:
Richland County Board of Elections
1495 West Longview Ave., Suite 101
Mansfield, OH  44906

The Ohio Secretary of State also offers the option of registering to vote online. You will need to provide an Ohio driver’s license or Ohio identification card number, name, date of birth, address, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Early Voting

You may vote early at the Richland County Board of Elections beginning 28 days before an election. Please refer to the Ohio Secretary of State’s 2024 Ohio Elections Calendar for early voting times.

Absentee Ballot

If you are unable to make it to vote in person or would prefer to look over your ballot at home, you can fill out a printable absentee ballot application or pick one up at the library. The library would be happy to hand-deliver your completed application to the Board of Elections or if you prefer, you can mail it to the Richland County Board of Elections.   

Sample Ballot

Be prepared to vote by looking at your ballot ahead of time. The Richland County Board of Elections provides voters a Registration Information Sample Ballot.

Maps

Richland County Polling Precincts
Ohio House and Senate District Maps
State Board of Education Districts
Ohio Court of Appeals
U.S. Congressional Districts

Learn About Candidates / Issues

Richland County Board of Elections
Vote Smart
Vote 411

Important Dates 2025

2026 PRIMARY/SPECIAL ELECTION | May 5, 2026
March 20: Military and Overseas Absentee Voting begins
April 6: Deadline to Register to Vote.
April 7: Absentee Voting by Mail begins; Early In-Person Voting begins
April 28: Absentee ballot applications must be received by your board of elections by 8:30 p.m.
May 4: Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by this date.
May 5: Primary/Special Election Day: Polls are open 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. 
Absentee ballots may be returned by mail or personally delivered to your county board of elections. If not returned by mail, absentee ballots must be received by your board of elections by 7:30 p.m.
 
Early In-Person Voting Hours: 
  • April 7 to 10: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • April 13 to 17: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • April 20 to 24: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • April 27: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • April 28: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • April 29 to May 1: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • May 2: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • May 3: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m
 
2026 SPECIAL ELECTION | August 4, 2026 (May Be Held)
June 19: Military and Overseas Absentee Voting begins
July 6: Deadline to Register to Vote
July 7: Absentee Voting by Mail begins; Early In-Person Voting begins
July 28: Absentee ballot applications must be received by your board of elections by 8:30 p.m.
August 3: Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by this date.
August 4: Special Election: Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Absentee ballots may be returned by mail or personally delivered to your county board of elections. If not returned by mail, absentee ballots must be received by your board of elections by 7:30 p.m.
 
Early In-Person Voting Hours: 
  • July 7 to 10: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • July 13 to 17: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • July 20 to 24: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • July 27: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • July 28: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • July 29 to July 31: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • August 1: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • August 2: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
 
2026 GENERAL ELECTION | November 3, 2026
September 18: Military and Overseas Absentee Voting begins
October 5: Deadline to Register to Vote
October 6: Absentee Voting by Mail begins; Early In-Person Voting begins
October 27: Absentee ballot applications must be received by your board of elections by 8:30 p.m.
November 2: Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by this date.
November 3: General/Special Election Day: Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Absentee ballots may be returned by mail or personally delivered to your county board of elections. If not returned by mail, absentee ballots must be received by your board of elections by 7:30 p.m.
 
Early In-Person Voting Hours: 
  • October 6 to 9: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • October 12 to 16: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • October 19 to 23: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • October 24: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • October 26: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • October 27: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • October 28 to 30: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • October 31: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • November 1: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
 

Mansfield/Richland County Public Library subject guides are assembled by our reference team. Please contact the reference department at 419.521.3110 if you would like more help with this subject.
Last updated on 9/10/21

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