With just 70 days until the November general election, Ohio election officials are busy. Today the Ohio Secretary of State will confirm what form will be used for official ballots to each of the county boards of elections. That’s one of the many steps that must be completed before Nov. 5. 

Signal Cleveland is here to answer your questions about the upcoming election. 

During our visit to the Fairview Park library branch last week, Barbara Rowley and Ann Stemen told us they  want to know more about what will be on the ballot this fall. We have some answers.

What is on the Ohio ballot?

It could be more than a month before we see a sample ballot. Ohio law requires those to be available no later than 30 days before the election.

Last week, Secretary of State Frank LaRose confirmed the statewide candidates qualified to appear on the general election ballot:

For President of the United States and Vice President of the United States:

• Donald J. Trump and JD Vance (Republican)
• Kamala Harris and Tim Walz (Democratic)
• Chase Oliver and Mike ter Maat (Libertarian)
• Richard Duncan and Mitchell Preston Bupp (Independent)
• Peter Sonski and Lauren Onak (Independent)
• Jill Stein and Anita Rios (Independent)

For United States Senator:

• Bernie Moreno (Republican) 
• Sherrod Brown (Democratic) 
• Don Kissick (Libertarian)

The deadline for the Ohio Secretary of State to certify what actually appears on the ballot that will be used by Ohio’s 88 county boards of elections is Sept. 6. That is 60 days prior to the November General Election.

When is the last day to get an issue on the ballot? 

Local questions and issues for the Nov. 5 general election had to be filed with county boards of election by 4 p.m. on Aug. 7, 90 days before the general election. The same deadline applies to constitutional amendments.

What issues will be on this fall’s ballot? 

While we are still waiting for the list of local issues, there is a statewide issue certified for the upcoming election –  Issue 1. The amendment is intended to end gerrymandering, the practice of drawing political district boundaries in ways that benefit one party over another.

Issue 1 2024 is not without its own controversy. The backers of the proposed amendment to the state constitution are suing the Ohio secretary of state over the written description of the issue that voters will see on the ballot.

🗳️For more on this year’s November election, visit our Election Signals 2024 page.

What Statehouse seats are up for grabs?

In Northeast Ohio, there are two Ohio Senate and 11 Ohio House of Representatives contested seats on the ballot. See a list of all the candidates here.

One more question – are you registered to vote for the November election?

If the answer is no, use the state’s online voter registration page to sign up. You’ll need the number from your Ohio driver’s license or Ohio identification card and the last four digits of your Social Security number. (Ohio ID cards are available for free from the BMV.)

Or you can register in person at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, 2925 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (It’s easy to reach on RTA’s HealthLine, and parking is free.)

If you would rather register by mail, download this form (or call 216-443-8683 and ask for one to be sent to you), fill it out and mail it back to:

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
Registration Department
2925 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115-2497

The deadline to register to vote in the November general election is Oct. 7. Be sure to share that date with family, friends and neighbors.

If you have any questions about the November election, send me an email, [email protected]. Or join us in person for our next library pop-up event.

Editor’s Note: This story has been edited to reflect that Robert Kennedy, Jr.’s campaign formally notified the Ohio Secretary of State’s office of his withdrawal from the presidential race. He will not be on the ballot in Ohio.