Every election is a chance for Ohioans to vote their values. As we approach November, we will have that chance again, and it is vital for all eligible Ohioans to be able to cast their ballots without cumbersome barriers or disadvantages.
In Ohio and across the nation, transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals are constantly – and unfairly – forced to justify their existence and identities. The cruel political decisions of elected officials have caused TGNC people to jump through needless hoops and carry the burden of more administrative headaches in various areas of life – including at the ballot box. The 2024 election is the first Presidential Election to occur under Ohio’s strict new voter ID laws, which may make voting more challenging for all Ohioans, especially TGNC individuals.
What follows is a guide on how to make voting as smooth as possible! No one is ineligible to vote just because they are transgender or gender non-conforming, and we encourage all eligible voters to cast a ballot this November. Here are some things to keep in mind as you prepare to vote!
Registering to Vote
Before you cast a ballot, first make sure you are registered! For all voters who will be turning 18 by the time of the election you can register online or in-person at your local board of elections and other designated sites. If you need to update your registration for any reason you can also do so online or at your local board of elections. For TGNC people this could be because of a recent legal name change whether it be your first, last, or both names as well as a change of address since you last voted. This can pose a challenge if you have not yet updated your driver’s license or state ID to match your legal name. In this case, you can receive a paper registration form at a designated site that does not require your state ID or driver’s license and instead you can use the last four digits of your social security number. Voter Registration closes October 7.
Voting In-Person
So, you are registered to vote! Great! You can either vote in person starting early on October 8 at your County Board of Elections, or on Election Day on November 5 at your local polling place. For voting in person, you must have a valid photo ID – this strict requirement can pose special challenges for TGNC people for multiple reasons. If your gender identity or presentation does not match your voter ID, you cannot be turned away. As long as your legal name on your voter identification matches what is listed in the poll book, you can vote.
While this is how it should work legally, this might not be how it plays out in real life due to misunderstandings or bias. You can remind poll workers of this fact if you are questioned. It may be helpful to bring multiple valid forms of identification with you as a precaution (but it is not a requirement). If you are turned away or questioned on your identity, polling places will often have election protection volunteers outside who may be able to help. You can also always call the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline for assistance on what to do next. If you are not given a regular ballot, you can request a provisional ballot, which often requires follow-up to confirm your identity, so make sure to get all follow-up details and instructions when casting your provisional ballot.
Absentee Voting
You are always allowed to cast your ballot by mail. If you feel like casting a ballot in person presents too many hurdles or hassles this can be a great option. To vote by mail, you will only need to provide your driver’s license or state ID number or the last four digits of your social security number. Absentee ballots can be requested starting on October 8 and cannot be requested later than October 29. Your ballot must be returned to your county board of elections on November 4 or mailed to the board of elections postmarked on or before November 4.
We cannot continue to allow politicians to target TGNC Ohioans. We need leaders and representatives who will stand up for the rights of transgender and gender non-conforming people. Voting up and down ballot to protect trans youth, bodily autonomy, non-discrimination, and equality will be vital in this election. TGNC Ohioans can, should, and will vote this November to stand up for themselves and others. With this guide you can do so prepared and ready!
