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August 8th, 2023 Special Election FAQs
There will be one (1) issue on the ballot, which is the proposed amendment to the state constitution being submitted by the Ohio General Assembly. This is a statewide election, so every registered voter in the state will have the opportunity to vote on this single issue.
The exact language of the proposed amendment will be prescribed by the Ohio Ballot Board and will be available no later than May 30, 2023 (70 days before the election). The proposed amendment, if it receives a majority of the vote in the August 8, 2023 Special Election, will require:
- Any future constitutional amendment be approved by at least 60% of the voters that vote in that election (this would begin with the November 7, 2023 General Election);
- Makes two changes to the initiative petition process for proposing amendments to the state constitution:
- Eliminates the 10-day cure period to gather additional signatures;
- Requires petition signatures from at least 5% of the electors of each county in the state, instead of half of the counties.
- If the proposed constitutional amendment is approved, it takes effect immediately. However, the new requirements for initiative petitions proposing constitutional amendments would first apply to petitions filed on or after January 1, 2024.
Certified Ballot Language
Certified Argument For
Certified Argument Against
Summary of SJR2 from Ohio Legislature
Summary of SJR2 from Ohio Legislature (sets the date of the election)
All the current methods to vote in Ohio are applicable for the August 8, 2023 Special Election (or any Special Election):
- Vote at the polls on Election Day
- Vote-By-Mail
- Vote Early In-Person at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
Click here to view the Vote on Election Day Page
Click here to view the Vote-By-Mail Page
Click here to view the Vote Early In-Person Page
You can apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot at any time through our website. We are not permitted by law to mail ballots until after the close of voter registration, which is the 28th day before an election (July 11, 2023).
No, there will just be one (1) issue on the ballot -- the proposed amendment to the state constitution.
No, any voter regardless of their political affiliation (or no affiliation at all) can vote in the August 8, 2023 Special Election. A voter will not be asked their political party and all voters will receive the exact same ballot.
- The deadline to register to vote in the August 8, 2023 Special Election is Monday, July 10. If you choose to register in person, our office will be open until 9 p.m. on July 10. If you are mailing your voter registration form, it must be postmarked by July 10.
- The start of the absentee voting period (both for Vote-by-Mail and Early In-Person) is Tuesday, July 11. Vote-by-Mail ballots will begin to be mailed on this date.
- Vote-by-Mail applications will be accepted up until Tuesday, August 1, at 8:30 p.m. However, you are highly encouraged to submit your application earlier than this deadline to account for mail delivery times. Completed Vote-by-Mail ballots must be postmarked by the day before Election Day or returned in-person by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
- Polls will be open on Election Day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you are in line to vote at 7:30 p.m., you will be able to cast your ballot.
Click here to view the Vote-By-Mail Page
Click here to view the Vote Early In-Person Page
Yes. We highly recommend you visit our Changes to Ohio Voting Laws page for a comprehensive overview of all the changes to election laws that began in 2023.
Click here to view our Changes to Ohio Voting Laws Starting in 2023 Page
