Voter Protection Plan
Free, nonpartisan voting information. Find a plan for your area. More areas are being added.

Your Mail-In Voting Plan

Montgomery County · November 3, 2026 · By mail

Change selections
Jump to a section

Montgomery County, Ohio | 2026 General Election | Tue, Nov 3

Generated by VoterProtectionPlan.com on Mon, Oct 19

Montgomery County Board of Elections (the “Board”) is your official local source for final confirmation

451 W. Third St., Dayton, OH 45422 · (937) 225-5656 · montgomery.boe.ohio.gov

Regular office hours: Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) A

Key Dates

Dates that have passed

Mon, Oct 5: Deadline: register to vote (passed). You can still check your registration and contact the Board with questions. BC

Current and upcoming dates

Mon, Oct 19 (today): As soon as possible, VPP recommends reviewing your official signature and applying for your mail-in ballot.

Mon, Oct 19 (today): Mail-in ballots began being sent on Tue, Oct 6 to voters who have applied. If you haven’t applied, apply as soon as possible. C

Tue, Oct 27: Deadline: the Board must receive your application for a mail-in ballot by 8:30 p.m. ET. D

Tue, Oct 27: Based on USPS guidance to allow at least one week, mail your completed ballot by this date. VPP recommends mailing it as soon as you can. E

Tue, Nov 3: Deadline: the Board must receive your completed ballot by 7:30 p.m. ET. A postmark by this date is not enough, even if older pages describe a postmark deadline. F

Sat, Nov 7: Deadline: Form 11-S correction, only if the Board notifies you of a problem with your envelope. Saturday hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET. G

Share

Montgomery County · November 3, 2026 · By mail

This link checks for the current voting plan for this same election and method. Guidance may change or become unavailable.

Recipients should check these selections and can change them on the website.

With JavaScript disabled, copy the link address below and paste it into your email or social app.

Open this plan’s share link

Email uses your own app; VPP does not collect recipients or send email. Device sharing shows supported apps. For Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Bluesky, Reddit or another app, you can also paste the copied link where that app supports links.

More formats

Keep an editable copy in Google Docs or Sheets. VPP does not connect to your Google account.

Docs: Choose Copy, open a blank Google document, and paste normally to retain headings and links.

Sheets: Open a blank spreadsheet. Choose File → Import → Upload and select the downloaded CSV. Choose Comma as the separator and turn off conversion of text to numbers, dates, and formulas if offered. Wrap the text for easier reading. Use Your progress to track steps in your own copy; VPP does not save it.

Saved copies do not update. Keep the warnings and source links, and reopen the included plan link before relying on a copy. Some spreadsheet apps may display a protective apostrophe before formula-like text.

Your Plan at a Glance

1. Voter registration

Register to vote, or check your registration status, name and address. The registration deadline passed Mon, Oct 5. Contact the Board if anything is unclear.

2. Review your official signature and apply for your mail-in ballot

VPP recommends applying as soon as possible. Application receipt deadline: Tue, Oct 27, 8:30 p.m. ET.

3. Research what is on your ballot

Before marking your ballot, learn about the candidates and issues.

4. Complete your ballot and sign the identification envelope

Follow the ballot and envelope instructions.

5. Return your ballot

Mail it as soon as you can; based on USPS guidance to allow at least one week, mail it by Tue, Oct 27 at the latest. You can also bring it to the Board’s office. The Board must receive it by Tue, Nov 3, 7:30 p.m. ET.

6. Track your ballot and respond to any official notice

Check status and respond promptly to any notice.

Detailed Voting Plan Checklist

1. Voter registration

Register to vote (if not already registered)

Recommended timing: The deadline for this election passed Mon, Oct 5. You can still register for future elections, and contact the Board with questions.

Contact the Board if you are unsure whether you are already registered. BCH

Official tool: Register to vote or update your registration

Check your voter registration (if already registered)

Recommended timing: As soon as possible.

Check your registration status, name and address. If your record is missing, looks wrong or is unclear, call the Board. HI

Official tool: Check your registration

If your information changed or looks incorrect, contact the Board to update it

Recommended timing: Act as soon as you notice an error or change.

Moved within Ohio or changed your name? Call the Board about the update process and where to vote, even after the registration deadline.

Ask whether any previous registration needs updating or cancellation. BCHI

Official tool: Official registration and update instructions

2. Review your official signature and apply for your mail-in ballot

Review your official signature

Recommended timing: As soon as possible, before signing your application or ballot envelope; ask now if you need assistance.

Ohio compares the signature on your identification envelope with your voter-registration signature. Review that signature if available. If you cannot see it, sign the way you usually sign official documents. Ask the Board about updates or assistance if your signature changed or signing is difficult.

Tip: keep a private photo or copy for reference if helpful. VPP never needs to see it. JK

Official tool: Official signature-update form

Get the official absentee application

Recommended timing: As soon as possible; allow time to receive and return your ballot.

Use the official form tool or call the Board for a paper application. No reason for voting by mail is required. L

Official tool: Get your absentee application

Fill in the election and required application fields

Recommended timing: When you get the form, before signing it.

Select the Tue, Nov 3 general election and complete all required fields. Have your Ohio license/state ID number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, or a copy of an accepted photo ID ready. D

Confirm your ballot will be mailed to the right address

Recommended timing: Before submitting the application.

Check the registration and ballot-delivery addresses. Ask the Board about moves or confidential-address arrangements. D

Print and sign the application

Recommended timing: After completing the form, before sending it.

The online form does not submit your application.

Print, sign, and send or deliver the form. If you need a paper application, call the Board. L

Official tool: Official application instructions

Send or deliver the signed application so it arrives on time

Recommended timing: As soon as possible; allow time to receive and return your ballot.

The Board must receive your application by Tue, Oct 27, 8:30 p.m. ET. A postmark alone is not enough.

VPP recommends planning personal delivery of your completed ballot. If travel is difficult, contact the Board promptly about your options.

Mail or deliver it to 451 W. Third St., Dayton, OH 45422. On Tue, Oct 27, the Board lists service until 8:30 p.m. ET; confirm application intake before traveling.

Check the official tracker after applying. If your ballot is missing or its status is unclear, call the Board promptly. CDM

Official tool: Check your absentee request and ballot status

3. Research what is on your ballot

Learn about the candidates and issues on your ballot in this election so you can cast an informed vote

Recommended timing: Before marking your ballot.

See the Board’s ballot-issues list (as of Fri, Sep 11). Your ballot will include only the issues for your precinct.

This plan does not include your complete, personalized ballot. Use your official sample ballot for the full list of candidates and issues on your ballot.

Check the current-election page for an updated list. NO

Official tool: Find your official sample ballot

Official tool: Board ballot-issues list (Fri, Sep 11)

4. Complete your ballot and sign the identification envelope

Check the ballot and read its instructions

Recommended timing: As soon as it arrives.

Contact the Board if your ballot arrives marked, damaged or wrong, or if you make a mistake and need a replacement. F

Official tool: Contact the election office

Mark your choices and put the ballot in the identification envelope

Recommended timing: After researching your ballot, soon after it arrives.

Follow the ballot’s marking, folding, and envelope instructions. F

Complete and sign the identification envelope

Recommended timing: Before sealing and returning your ballot.

Complete all fields, including date of birth and the instructed ID choice: Ohio license/state ID number, last four Social Security digits, or accepted photo ID copy. Sign as instructed, matching the official signature you reviewed earlier in this checklist. If you couldn’t review it, use your usual signature on official documents.

Check for missing information, then seal and package as instructed. FK

5. Return your ballot

Choose how to return your ballot, then return it

Recommended timing: As soon as your ballot is complete, before the receipt deadline.

Choose one option and check this item after returning your ballot. F

Send it by mail (if mailing)

Recommended timing: As soon as you can. Based on USPS guidance to allow at least one week, mail by Tue, Oct 27 at the latest.

The Board must receive it by Tue, Nov 3, 7:30 p.m. ET. Mailing or postmarking it by then is not enough.

Do not wait until the last minute.

Follow the return-envelope postage instructions. If unclear, ask the Board or have USPS check the postage before mailing.

After the recommended mail-by date, plan personal delivery or call the Board for help. EF

Official tool: USPS ballot-mailing guidance

Bring it to the Board’s office (if delivering it yourself)

Recommended timing: Deliver early, during confirmed intake hours.

The Board must receive it by Tue, Nov 3, 7:30 p.m. ET.

Deliver to the Board at 451 W. Third St., Dayton, OH 45422 before 7:30 p.m. ET on Tue, Nov 3.

Do not take your mail ballot to an Election Day polling place. Contact the Board to confirm where and when to drop it off. Ask about authorized help if someone else must return your ballot. FLM

If you decide to vote in person instead, or your ballot is missing

Recommended timing: Before you vote in person.

If you have not returned your mail ballot, tell the election official you requested one before voting. During early voting, that request alone does not require a provisional ballot. On Election Day, you will vote provisionally at your assigned polling place.

If you already returned your mail ballot, call the Board before voting in person. If you think it was lost, ask what to do next. KPQ

6. Track your ballot and respond to any official notice

Check receipt and respond promptly to any notice

Recommended timing: After returning your ballot and regularly through the correction period.

Use the official tracker for this election. If receipt or status is unclear, call the Board.

Respond immediately to any Form 11-S notice; see below. GL

Official tool: Check your ballot status

If the Board sends Form 11-S, provide the requested correction immediately

Recommended timing: As soon as the notice arrives; do not wait for Election Day or the last correction day.

Required correction information must reach the Board by Sat, Nov 7.

Follow the notice to correct missing or mismatched information, such as your signature, date of birth or ID information. Respond as soon as it arrives, including before Election Day.

Submit the written Form 11-S information in person or by mail as instructed. A call or email alone does not complete the correction. VPP recommends personal delivery from Mon, Nov 2 onward; if that is difficult, call the Board promptly for help.

Correction service: Wed, Nov 4–Sat, Nov 7, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET, while ballots still need fixes. The Board may return to regular hours when no fixes remain. Call to confirm your visit. GK

Special Situations

This plan may not cover the rules that apply to military or overseas voters, hospitalized or confined voters, or people who need specialized assistance. Contact the Board about your situation; different procedures or deadlines may apply. Ask about authorized help if someone else needs to sign or return your ballot.

View sources and verification

Sources and Verification

Information last verified: October 9, 2026.

[A] County office contact and regular hours

[B] Ohio registration timing

[C] Ohio voting schedule

[D] Ohio absentee application requirements

[E] USPS guidance for mailing a ballot

[F] Ohio ballot completion and return law

[G] November correction hours and instructions

[H] Ohio registration and voting help

[I] Ohio name and address changes

[J] Ohio signature-update authorization

[K] Ohio absentee counting and correction law

[L] Official absentee application instructions

[M] Montgomery County election information

[N] Montgomery County voter lookup and sample ballots

[O] Board ballot-issues list - Fri, Sep 11

[P] Ohio provisional-ballot procedures

[Q] Updated Election Official Manual - Chapter 7: Absentee Voting

About This Plan

VPP provides nonpartisan, informational voting preparation resources. Election rules, deadlines, and procedures may change. Always confirm final requirements with your official state or local election office.

VPP never asks for your home address, ID numbers, signature, or ballot choices. Provide required information only through official election tools and forms. If you printed or downloaded this plan, recheck the official links before acting.