CINCINNATI — The deadline to register to vote in Ohio's August special election is July 10, giving unregistered voters interested in weighing in on the controversial Issue 1 ballot initiative little time to become eligible to vote.
Issue 1, if passed, would increase the threshold to change Ohio's constitution from a majority vote — just one over 50% — to a 60% margin and require initiatives get signatures from all 88 counties.
MORE: What is Issue 1 in Ohio and what will it mean for Ohioans?
Opponents of Issue 1 have argued changing voters' abilities to weigh in on the state constitution is a targeted effort to stop reproductive protections, including abortion, from being added to the state constitution.
People can register to vote online, by mail, or at the following locations in person:
- The office of the Secretary of State;
- The office of any of the 88 county boards of elections;
- The office of the registrar or any deputy registrar of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles;
- Public libraries;
- Public high schools or vocational schools;
- County Treasurers' offices; or
- Offices of designated agencies, including:
- The Department of Job and Family Services;
- The Department of Health (including the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program);
- The Department of Mental Health;
- The Department of Developmental Disabilities;
- Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities; or
- The office of any state-assisted college or university responsible for providing assistance to students with disabilities.
