Tuesday, Nov. 8 marks voters' final chance to visit the polls. Areas like the Tri-State face a unique challenge, in that voter laws vary across state borders.
WCPO will report on results from more than 270 local, state and federal races.
Get all the latest election coverage at WCPO.com/VOTE
To keep things simple, here's an election guide broken down by the rule and how it applies in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana respectively, as well as a rundown of what major races WCPO will follow closely Tuesday:
Polling hours
Ohio: 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Kentucky/Indiana: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Polling locations
Sample ballots
Voter ID laws
Ohio:
- An unexpired Ohio's driver's license or ID
- An unexpired photo ID issued by Ohio or the U.S. government that includes your name and current address
- A military ID
- A current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government check that includes your name and current address
- Any government document that shows your name and address
Kentucky:
- Driver's license
- Social Security card
- ID issued by the U.S. government
- ID issued by the Kentucky government with your picture and signature
- Any ID with your picture and signature
- Personal Acquaintance with a poll officer
Indiana:
Any ID must meet four requirements:
- Displays your photo
- Displays your name
- Has an expiration date that shows the ID hasn't expired or expired after Nov. 4, 2016 (military IDs are not required to have an expiration date)
- Is issued by the Indiana or U.S. government
Major races WCPO will follow closely
- President
- Ohio U.S. Senate
- Kentucky U.S. Senate
- Indiana Governor
- Indiana U.S. Senate
- Hamilton County Commission
- Hamilton County Sheriff
- Hamilton County Court Clerk
- Cincinnati School Levy
- Hamilton County Parks Levy
How does Tri-State fit in Electoral College?
There are 538 total electors in the Electoral College, the body comprised of lawmakers who elect the president based on voter results within their constituencies. A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win the White House. Each state's total is equal to its number of Representatives and Senators. Locally, that equates to:
Ohio: 18 votes
Kentucky: 8 votes
Indiana: 11 votes
What does it mean to fill out a 'provisional ballot'?
Some voters may find when they arrive at the polls that they're asked to fill out a "provisional ballot." Provisional ballots are used when there are questions about the voter's ID or other eligibility to vote. These ballots are cast, then set aside and will be examined by election officials after Election Day. If the ballot is found to contain accurate information, it will be counted. Otherwise, it will be discarded.
Key dates after Election Day:
Nov. 14: Certification of election results in Kentucky
Nov. 19: Certification of election results in Ohio
Nov. 21: Certification of election results in Indiana
Nov. 29: Official canvass of the voting results in Ohio must be completed
Dec. 19: Members of the Electoral College meet in their states to cast their votes
Dec. 28: Deadline for the president of the U.S. Senate to receive the Electoral College votes
Jan. 6: Congress meets in joint session to count the votes, with the vice president, as president of the Senate, presiding
Jan. 20: At noon, the new president-elect takes the Oath of Office
