Absentee ballots: How a request could change what happens if you decide to vote in-person instead

MIAMI VALLEY — Miami Valley residents who would like to vote by mail using an absentee ballot can request those ballots now. Absentee ballots will be sent out to voters beginning Oct. 6.

However, if you are still planning on voting in-person at the polls on Nov. 3 and have requested an absentee ballot before Election Day, you would be required to vote by a provisional ballot.

>> Ohio Election: What you need to know about absentee ballots, early and in-person voting

The Ohio Secretary of State’s Office says if “your name appears on the official poll list for that precinct as having already requested an absentee ballot” you would be required to vote by provisional ballot. A provisional ballot is then reviewed by your local board of elections and must be approved to be counted in the final vote tally, which is certified several weeks after Election Day.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is encouraging voters to request and vote by absentee ballots, however in-person voting is expected to take place as scheduled.

Under federal law, if people vote twice in a general election, where the Presidency is up for election, they can be punished with up to a $10,000 fine and up to 5 years in prison.

Cox Media Group