The deadline to register to vote for the May 5 Ohio primary is coming soon.
Ohio voters will choose a new governor, other statewide and county offices and have an election for U.S. senator in 2026.
But if you want to make your voice heard in the May primary, you need to be registered to vote. And that deadline is fast approaching. Here’s what to know.
When is the primary election in Ohio?
Ohio’s primary election is Tuesday, May 5.
What is the deadline to register to vote in Ohio?
The deadline to register to vote for the primary is Monday, April 6. According to the Ohio secretary of state, its office as well as county boards of election will be open until 9 p.m. that day for people to register.
If you miss this deadline, you can register to vote by Oct. 5 for the Nov. 3 general election.
How to register to vote in Ohio
You can register to vote online via the secretary of state’s office or VoteOhio.gov. You can also register by mail using the National Mail Voter Registration form available on the Ohio Secretary of State website, or in person at boards of elections, public libraries and Bureau of Motor Vehicles locations.
To register online, you will need to have the following information:
What is the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot?
Applications for an absentee ballot in the May primary must be received by the voter’s board of elections by 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28.
When does absentee voting begin in Ohio?
Absentee voting by mail starts Tuesday, April 7. Mailed absentee ballots must be received by the voter’s county board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, a change from previous years.
Military and overseas absentee voting began March 20.
When is early voting in Ohio?
Likewise, early in-person voting begins April 7. You can find a list of early voting locations by county at the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. Hours are:
When are the polls open on Election Day?
Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on May 5.
What are the local issues on the May 5 primary ballot?
Kent and Streetsboro school districts will ask voters for school funding, and Ravenna also is seeking an income tax from city voters to fund new buildings for the city and its safety forces.
Those issues are among 10 that will go before voters May 5.
Who is on the Ohio primary ballot in 2026?
Statewide candidates on the ballot for the May 5 primary election in contested races include:
Some county offices also appear on the May 5 ballot.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Voter registration deadline nears. Key dates for 2026 election
Reporting by Ravenna Record-Courier / Record-Courier
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
