If you vote with an absentee ballot, be aware the rules were changed for this election.

As of today, you have 7 days to return your absentee ballot to ensure your vote is counted for the November 3, 2026 election.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is advising, one week before the election, that you should deliver your completed absentee ballot to your county board of elections.

Why?

If you mail it, and the U.S. Postal Service doesn’t deliver it to your county board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Night, then your vote won’t be counted.

They changed the rules this year.

There used to be a grace period in which the boards of elections could count a ballot that was postmarked as late as one day before the election as long as it arrived no later than four days after the election.

Last December, Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 293 that changed the rules for the 2026 election.

Ballots must be physically in the county board of elections’ possession when the polls close on next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., meaning your ballot must be inside the building or in the 24-hour drop box posted outside each location.

So, if you still have your absentee ballot in your hands, then follow SOS LaRose’s recommendation and take it to your local county board of elections.

Make sure you vote and that your vote counts.

This year, we are electing a new governor, attorney general, auditor, secretary of state, and treasurer.

We have a contested U.S. Senate race, U.S. House races, Ohio Senate and Ohio House races, two Ohio Supreme Court seats, and a statewide ballot issue on the ballot as well as local candidates and issues.

Your vote matters. Make sure your vote is counted.

In Solidarity,

We Are Ohio