COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio’s elections chief is reminding Ohioans that early voting in the May 6 primary begins for some voters this week.
The early voting period for military and overseas voters begins on Saturday and for others on April 1.
Ohioans will vote on primary races for a number of statewide and local candidates, as well as decide the outcome of a statewide ballot issue and more than 600 local issues.
County election boards would begin mailing requested absentee ballots to registered military and overseas voters Saturday, Secretary of State Jon Husted said. Ballots will go out to other voters beginning April 1, when early in-person voting begins.
The deadline to request an early ballot is noon on May 3.
Voted ballots that are mailed must be postmarked by May 5 and received by May 16. Election boards also will accept them until polls close May 6 but they cannot be returned in person at polling places.
Election Timeline:
March 22 – County Boards of Elections will begin mailing absentee ballots to registered military and overseas voters who have requested a ballot. Military and overseas voters who have not yet submitted a request for an absentee ballot can download an application or contact their county board of elections. Requests must be received by county boards of elections no later than noon on May 3.
April 1 – Boards will mail out absentee ballots to all other voters who have requested them. Voted ballots must be postmarked the day before Election Day and received no later than May 16. In-person absentee voting begins.
April 7 – Deadline to register to vote. Voters can easily check their voter registration information, including voting address and polling location online.
May 3 – Voters have until noon to request an absentee ballot by mail or by downloading an absentee ballot request form.
May 6 – ELECTION DAY – Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.