Hamilton County residents have until 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, to register to vote in person for Ohio's Nov. 3 general election. Online registration at VoteOhio.gov stays open until 11:59 p.m.

Early in-person voting begins Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Hamilton County Board of Elections, 4700 Smith Road, Cincinnati.

Board of Elections Director Sherry Poland urged residents in a Sept. 15 statement to update their registration if they have moved or changed their name since they last voted. Registration forms are also accepted at public libraries and BMV offices during normal business hours on Monday.

Seventeen-year-olds who will turn 18 by Nov. 3 are eligible to register and vote, according to the Board of Elections.

What's on the ballot

Anderson Township and Newtown voters fall in Ohio's 1st Congressional District, where Democrat Greg Landsman faces Republican Eric Conroy. Mariemont and Terrace Park voters are in the 8th District, where Democrat Vanessa Enoch faces Republican Warren Davidson.

Statewide, Republican Sen. Jon Husted, appointed to the seat in 2025, faces Democrat Sherrod Brown for the U.S. Senate. Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Dr. Amy Acton are running for governor to replace term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine.

Two local levies are on the ballot. Terrace Park voters will decide a renewal of an existing 5.58-mill operating levy that would generate $713,000 annually for police, fire, EMS, streets and village administration, according to village documents. The levy would cost homeowners $123 per $100,000 of assessed property value for five years. Mariemont voters will decide a renewal of a 3.5-mill, five-year levy for permanent improvements.

Ohio Issue 3, a constitutional amendment that would write current voter ID requirements into the state constitution, is also on the statewide ballot, according to the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library.

Data centers loom as campaign issue

Data centers have become a flashpoint in both statewide races. Anderson Township trustees voted unanimously on Sept. 17 to impose a 12-month moratorium on data center development permits. Trustees Dee Stone, Katie Nappi and Tom Hodges all voted yes.

All four statewide candidates have weighed in. Husted called data center siting a local decision and said companies should pay for their own electricity, telling WKRC on Oct. 4 that communities should decide "if they want the good deal that may create jobs for them." Brown said data centers will raise electric rates and that residents had no say in the matter. Ramaswamy said data centers that do not benefit local communities should not be allowed in Ohio. Acton supports a conditional moratorium, saying companies "need to bring their own energy."

Early voting schedule

Ohio law requires a valid photo ID to vote in person. Accepted forms include an Ohio driver's license, state ID card or U.S. passport.

The Hamilton County Board of Elections early voting hours are:

• Oct. 6–9: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Oct. 12–16: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Oct. 19–23: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Oct. 24: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Oct. 26: 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 27: 7:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
• Oct. 28–30: 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 31: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Nov. 1: 1–5 p.m.

The deadline to request a mail-in absentee ballot is 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27. All mail-in ballots must arrive at the Board of Elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3. Ohio eliminated its four-day grace period for mail-in ballots in December 2025.

Residents can check their registration or find more information at VoteHamiltonCountyOhio.gov or by calling 513-946-8500.