While there are no elections for Ohio statewide office or the presidency in 2025, there are still many offices up for grabs, and lawyers can help ensure Election Day goes smoothly.

Elections officials estimate that more than 100,000 elections are taking place this year — more than in 2024 — at the state and local levels across the country. Today is National Voter Registration Day, which encourages citizens to register to vote for the November general elections.

The deadline to register in Ohio is Oct. 6, and Ohioans can go to Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s voter registration website to register.

Attorneys Can Earn CLE Working at Polls
While voter registration marks the beginning of the voting process, Ohio residents have a chance to ensure the elections themselves are effectively operated. Ohio attorneys can help by serving as poll workers. Attorneys can earn up to 12 hours of continuing legal education for poll worker service every two-year compliance period. Attorneys can register as poll workers through the secretary of state’s website. Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy and LaRose have been urging lawyers to serve.

To earn four CLE hours, volunteer attorneys must complete training at their county board of elections, and must work the entire voting day. For those who have previously completed precinct election training, they must take three hours of training about statutory and case law on elections provided by the secretary of state.

For more information about the attorney poll worker program, the Registration and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Section produced a webpage dedicated to frequently asked questions.