As a service to our readers, The Beacon is printing the Absentee Ballot Application form in today’s edition on page 5A, and it can also be found online HERE. Please follow the instructions, fill it out promptly, and send it to: Ottawa County Board of Elections, 8444 W. St. Rt. 163, Ste. 101, Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449.

In order to receive a ballot and get it in before the Tuesday, April 28 deadline, the last day to request a ballot is Saturday, April 25. If you have any questions, call 419-898-3071 or 1-800-697-9807.

TO ENSURE YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST IS RECEIVED, PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING:

Make sure you have filled in the type of ballot you are requesting. For the 2020 primary, the choices are Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, or Issues Only (section 6)

Ensure “Date of Election” (section 6) lists the date of the election for which you are requesting a ballot, NOT today’s date.

Check that all required fields are complete.

Print, sign, and date your form.

Mail the completed form to: Ottawa County Board of Elections, 8444 W. St. Rt. 163, Ste. 101, Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449. If you have any questions, call 419-898-3071 or 1-800-697-9807.

NEXT STEPS

Once your absentee ballot request is received by your county board of elections, they will process your request and mail your ballot to your address. The boards of elections will prepay return postage.

Once you receive your ballot, to make sure your ballot is counted, it must be received by your board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on April 28 OR be postmarked by April 27 and delivered by mail to your board of elections by May 8.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) estimates that it may take two to five days for your voted absentee ballot to be delivered to your board of elections by mail.

You can track your request and your ballot online at VoteOhio.gov.