Washington Court House, Ohio Public Records

Ohio residents can register to vote online at www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/register/ or by submitting a paper registration form to the Fayette County Board of elections. Registration must be completed 30 days before any election. First-time voters must provide identification such as an Ohio driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. When voting in person, Ohio requires photo ID, acceptable forms include an Ohio driver's license, state ID card, military ID, or passport. Municipal elections in Washington Court House determine the mayor and city council seats under the city's mayor-council form of government. The mayor serves a four-year term while council members represent individual wards. Residents can find candidate information, sample ballots, and local issue details through the Board of Elections office and on the city's website at www.washingtonch.com. Local ballot measures occasionally include school levies for Washington Court House City Schools, city income tax renewals, and zoning or charter amendments. Residents can look up their assigned polling location by visiting the Ohio Secretary of State's website at www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/toolkit/polling-location/ or by contacting the Fayette County Board of Elections. Precinct assignments determine polling places based on residential address. Most polling locations throughout the city and county are schools, community centers, or government buildings. Under Ohio law, numerous election records are public. Voter registration lists are available for purchase by campaigns and political organizations, though individual voter registration information can be inspected at the Board of Elections. Campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political action committees are public and searchable through the Ohio Secretary of State's website. Candidate petitions and filing documents are maintained by the Board of Elections and constitute public records. Precinct-level election results are published after each election and available on the Board's website and through the Secretary of State. State legislative races will include Ohio House of Representatives District 90 and Ohio Senate District 20, both covering Fayette County. County-level positions on the ballot will include Fayette County Commissioner seats, County Auditor, Recorder, Sheriff, Prosecutor, and Common Pleas Court judges, with specific positions depending on the expiration schedule of current officeholders' terms. Municipal races in Washington Court House may appear on the ballot if scheduled for that cycle. Ohio voters can request absentee ballots by submitting an application to the Fayette County Board of Elections. Applications are available on the Board's website, through the Ohio Secretary of State's website, or by calling the Board directly. Absentee ballot applications must be received by the Saturday before Election Day for mail ballots, or voters can request ballots in person at the Board of Elections office through the day before the election. Early in-person voting is available at the Board of Elections office beginning 28 days before Election Day, including some evening and weekend hours. Voters can track their absentee ballot status online through the Secretary of State's website. Military and overseas voters have special provisions under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) with extended deadlines.