Answers to Some Frequently Asked Questions About Voting

Who can vote?
How do I register to vote?
Do I declare my party affiliation when I register to vote?
Where do I vote?
How do I vote?
What do I need to vote?
How long does it take to vote?
What will be on the ballot?

Who can Vote?
Most states have similar requirements to be eligible to vote.  In order to vote in an election in Ohio, you must meet the following qualification requirements:

• You must be a United States Citizen;
• You must be 18 years old on or before the day of the General Election
• You must be a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days (thus all Oberlin students can register)
• You must register to vote at least 30 days before an election to vote in that election.
  
  

How do I register to vote?
Unfortunately, it is too late to register to vote for the 2000 general election (see last qualification above).  However, you can register for future elections in Oberlin by going to Wilder Front Desk and requesting a voter registration form. Tto register in your home state contact your local registrar.

Do I declare my political party affiliation when I register to vote?
No. Registration for general elections (rather than primaries) is non-partisan.  However, to vote in a particular party's primary you must register with that party.  Under Ohio law, a person's political party affiliation is determined by the party ballot they choose to vote in a Partisan Primary Election.

Where do I vote?
If you are not voting by absentee ballot, you will vote at a polling place designated for the precinct in which you reside.  There are seven precincts in Oberlin each with a different polling place.  We have created an easy to use listing for you to find your polling place. When you register you will receive a postcard indicating the polling place serving your precinct. Polling places are open from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM on Election Day.

How do I vote?
Ohio uses a punch card voting system. If you have not used this type of system before or have questions, ask an election official at your precinct to demonstrate it for you when you go to vote.

What do I need to vote?
You need a valid ID.

How long does it take to vote?
Voting requires far less of your time than those who struggled so you could exercise your franchise... Practically speaking, you can spend as much or as little time actually casting the ballot as you need, so take your time.  If you have already made up your mind voting will take less time than if you are waiting to see what kind of mood you are in on Election Day.  Keep in mind that the busiest times are the early morning and late afternoon hours.

What will be on the ballot?
All ballots will feature candidates for President and the House and Senate.  Different states' ballots may also feature candidates for the state legislature as well as local offices.  They may also feature initiatives and referenda.  We have prepared a sample ballot with all the offices and issues on the Oberlin ballot.

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