Early voting begins Wednesday. Here's what you need to know

CANTON − Early in-person voting begins Wednesday for the March 19 primary election.

Voters can cast their ballots early at the Stark County Board of Elections located at 3525 Regent Ave NE in Canton.

The deadline to register to vote to be eligible for the primary is Tuesday.

This primary will decide candidates for president and a U.S. Senate seat in Ohio. Other high-profile races and issues include contests in the 6th and 13th congressional districts; school issues in the Lake, Marlington, Northwest and Tuslaw districts; and an income tax increase in North Canton.

When can I vote early in person?

In-person early voting hours at the elections board office are:

• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 21 to March 8

• 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 9

• 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 11

• 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. March 12

• 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 13 to March 15

• 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 16

• 1 to 5 p.m. March 17

The last day to cast a ballot early in person is March 17.

Early voters can mostly expect short lines, said Regine Johnson, deputy director at the Stark County Board of Elections.

"On the first day of early voting usually there are a fair number of people who are waiting outside the door when we open," she said. "Usually by the next day, people can just walk in."

Lines tend to get longer during the last weekend of early voting, March 16 and 17.

"If you come and vote earlier, you have less likelihood of encountering a long line," Johnson said.

What do I need to vote early in person?

Ohio voters must bring an unexpired photo ID. The following are acceptable forms of ID:

• Ohio driver's license

• State of Ohio ID card

• U.S. passport

• U.S. passport card

• Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV

• U.S. military ID

• Ohio National Guard ID

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card

To be accepted, IDs must be unexpired, have a picture of the voter and the voter's name. Photo IDs issued by other states are not accepted.

Voters who do not bring a valid photo ID can cast a provisional ballot.

Early voting by absentee

In addition to voting early at the Board of Elections, registered voters can also cast a ballot in person at their precinct on Election Day or request an absentee ballot.

To vote by mail, fill out an absentee ballot application and mail it to the Stark County Board of Elections − or bring it in person to the office's drop box − by March 12.

Absentee ballots will be mailed beginning Feb. 21. When you receive your ballot, completely fill out the ballot and ID envelope. Once completed, mail the ballot to the Stark County Board of Elections. The ballot must be postmarked by March 18 and received no later than four days after the election. You, or a near relative, can also drop off the completed ballot in person at the elections board by 7:30 p.m. March 19.

Make sure to fill out the absentee application completely to avoid processing issues, Johnson said.

"People should remember when they are filling out a ballot application, they need to indicate party," she said. "It's also very important to have ID on the application form ... fill in all the blanks and just make sure that's correct."

Check ballot and registration

Voters can check their registration and view a sample ballot on the Board of Elections website by clicking "show me my ballot" located in the top carousel.

If you have recently moved or changed your name, you can update your registration online or by calling the board by Feb. 20.

"If they don't make those changes by the close of registration that means when they go to vote in person they will need to vote a provisional ballot," Johnson said.

The provisional ballot will count and automatically update the voter's registration.

In person voting on Election Day

Polls will be open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 19.

Voters can cast ballots at their local precinct. Check the board website to find your polling place.

In-person voters will need to show a valid and unexpired photo ID on Election Day.

Reach Grace at 330-580-8364 or gspringer@gannett.com. Follow her on X @GraceSpringer16.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Early voting in Stark County for the March 19 primary