#AdvocacyMatters: Your Right, Your Vote

May 1, 2026 / #AdvocacyMatters

Fair and equitable access to elections and civic engagement are at the core of the disability rights movement. Ohio's May primary election is coming up this Tuesday, May 5th. No matter how you plan to participate, a little planning can help deliver an easy, low-stress voting experience.

Voting by Mail via Absentee Ballot:

• Absentee Ballots must be received by your local Board of Elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, May 5th.
• Voters with disabilities may receive assistance returning their absentee ballot. Any person assisting with the return of a voter's absentee ballot must sign the required attestation and return the ballot inside the office of the County Board of Elections.

Voting Early In-Person:

• Early in-person voting continues through Sunday, May 3rd. The polls will be closed on Monday, May 4th. Early voting often occurs at your local county board of elections or a different designated location (often different than your polling location).

Voting In Person on Election Day:

• On Election Day, if you plan to vote in person you must cast your ballot at your designated polling place between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
• Polling places can move between elections. If you're planning to vote in person on Election Day, click here to check your polling place location.

Assistance with marking your ballot:

If a voter cannot mark their ballot, or needs assistance due to a disability, a voter may receive assistance from any person of their choice.* Voters can also request assistance from poll workers.

*Anyone can assist a disabled voter, with the exception of a candidate whose name appears on the ballot, the voter's employer, or an agent of the voter's union.

Curbside Voting:

Ohio voters with disabilities can also vote curbside if they are unable to enter their polling location. Signage at polling locations may vary. It's best to contact your local county board of elections before going to your polling location to discuss curbside voting needs.

To use curbside voting on the day, a voter should contact poll workers at their polling location, and two poll workers will bring a ballot out to the voter's car. Polling places and boards of election must provide curbside voting assistance when requested.

We know this all can be confusing, and our team is here to help! DRO's Voter Hotline will be available all day on Election Day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at (800) 282 - 9181 or 614-466-7264. If you have questions before election day, you can contact DRO's regular intake line at 614-466-7264.

All of our election resources are available 24/7 at disabilityrightsohio.org/vote

#AdvocacyMatters