Election Day is almost here! Here's how to make sure you're ready to vote

Election Day is around the corner, and early voting is already upon us.

With a host of issues and candidates on ballots across Ohio, it's important that voters are prepared before heading to the polls.

So no matter where you live in the state, here's what you need to know before voting between now and Election Day, taking place Nov. 7.

How do I check my voter registration in Ohio?

To check your voter registration, visit the Ohio Secretary of State website's voter lookup page. From there, you can enter your name and county, and it will tell you whether you are registered to vote for the election. The page will also tell you where your polling location is and what district you reside in for voting.

If you recently registered to vote for the upcoming election, you may have also received a letter in the mail with the same information.

Is it too late to register to vote in Ohio?

The deadline to register to vote in the general election was Oct. 10, meaning it's now too late to register for the Nov. 7, 2023, election.

When is Election Day 2023?

Election Day for in-person voters is Nov. 7.

On Election Day, you must cast your ballot in your precinct at your designated polling place (found on the voter registration lookup page) between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

What ID do I need to bring to vote in-person?

To vote, you need to provide valid identification, which includes:

• Ohio driver's license.

• State of Ohio ID card.

• Interim ID form issued by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

• A U.S. passport.

• A U.S. passport card.

• U.S. military ID card.

• Ohio National Guard ID card.

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card.

All photo identification must have the following:

• An expiration date that has not passed.

• A photo of the voter.

• The voter’s name, which must substantially conform to their name as it appears in the poll list or in the poll book.

How do I vote early?

Starting the day after voter registration closes, registered voters may cast an early in-person ballot at their county board of elections. Early voting is only available at board of elections locations. The secretary of state's website has an interactive map where you can find your location.

Here are the hours for early in-person voting for the Nov. 7 election:

• Oct. 11-13: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Oct. 16-20: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Oct. 23-27: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Oct. 30: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 31: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

• Nov. 1-3: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

• Nov. 4: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Nov. 5: 1-5:00 p.m.

How can I request an absentee ballot?

All Ohio voters with up-to-date registration can request an absentee ballot, according to the Ohio Secretary of State's office. Voters need to fill out and return an application, then their absentee ballot will be mailed to their address, allowing them to make selections at their leisure. They then must return their ballot to their local board of elections ahead of Election Day.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is seven days before the election in which you want to vote.

If mailed, absentee ballots must be postmarked by the day before the election in order to be counted. You can also return your absentee ballot in person to your county board of elections before the polls close at 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

@Colebehr_report, Cbehrens@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How do I vote early in Ohio? When is Election Day? Everything to know