Franklin County voters who can't make it to the polls on a weekday now have three chances to vote early on a weekend before Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Weekend early voting opens Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Franklin County Board of Elections, 1700 Morse Rd. in Columbus, according to the Columbus Dispatch. That's the same location where Upper Arlington, Grandview Heights and Marble Cliff residents cast early ballots in person.

The weekend schedule, per the Franklin County Board of Elections website:

  • Saturday, Oct. 24: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 31: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Sunday, Nov. 1: 1 to 5 p.m. (final day of early in-person voting)

Weekday hours also expand starting Monday, Oct. 26. The center will be open 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. most days that week, with extended hours until 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27. That date is also the deadline to request an absentee ballot, according to a Franklin County Board of Elections press release.

Wednesday, Oct. 28, through Friday, Oct. 30, hours are 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Turnout running high

Early voting has drawn strong numbers since it opened Oct. 6. About 3,000 voters per day cast ballots at the Franklin County center during the first week, triple the pace from the same period in the 2022 midterm, ABC 6 reported.

Franklin County Board of Elections Director Antone White told ABC 6 the county is preparing for strong turnout on Nov. 3, which includes races for governor and U.S. Senate. "We are expecting anywhere from 55-to 60 per cent turn out … going to be busy," White said.

Key deadlines

Voters who requested absentee ballots should note a change from past elections. Absentee ballots must now be received by the board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, according to the board's website. White told ABC 6 that voters previously had four days after the election to return ballots.

Completed absentee ballots can be dropped in the secure 24-hour drop box outside the board's office at 1700 Morse Rd.

On Election Day, polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters can check their registration, view a sample ballot and find their polling location at the Franklin County Board of Elections site.