Upper Arlington residents have until Oct. 5 to register to vote ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, and the Upper Arlington Public Library has published a guide consolidating every key deadline and resource in one place.
The ballot includes Issue 7, a combined 4.9-mill operating levy and $273.5 million bond issue for the UA City School District that would raise property taxes by roughly $1,250 a year on a home appraised at $500,000, according to district materials.
How to register
Residents can register online through the Ohio Secretary of State's website at olvr.ohiosos.gov or in person at any of the library's three branches: Tremont Library (2800 Tremont Road), Lane Road Library and Miller Park Library. Voters can also verify their registration status and update their address through the Franklin County Board of Elections website.
A federal court ruling on Aug. 25 blocked Ohio from requiring proof of citizenship when registering at Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices, Politico reported. Secretary of State Frank LaRose said he would immediately appeal.
"I will vigorously defend our legal authority to safeguard our voter rolls and protect the integrity of Ohio's elections," LaRose said on Aug. 25.
That ruling remains under appeal, so residents who want certainty should register online or at a library branch before Oct. 5.
Early and absentee voting
Early in-person voting begins Oct. 6, at the Franklin County Board of Elections, 1700 Morse Road, Columbus. The board's schedule runs through Nov. 1:
- Oct. 6–9: Weekdays, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Oct. 12–16: Weekdays, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Oct. 19–23: Weekdays, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 24, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Oct. 26–30: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
- Oct. 31: Saturday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Nov. 1: Sunday, 1–5 p.m.
Absentee ballot applications are available at all three UA Library branches. Applications must reach the Board of Elections by the close of extended hours on Oct. 27. Under Ohio law, completed absentee ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
Research tools
The library's guide links to Vote411.org, a League of Women Voters tool that generates personalized ballot information when a voter enters their address. UAPL research librarians have also compiled a political fact-checking resources guide at ualibrary.org. Print copies of the League of Women Voters voter guide will be available at library branches closer to the election.
Polls on Election Day, Nov. 3, will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
