Early voting starts Tuesday for May 3 primary election
Despite all of the confusion around this year’s primary election, Ohio is still set to have an election on May 3 and early voting starts Tuesday, April 5.
Ohio House, Ohio Senate, and State Central Committee races will not appear on the May primary ballots due to Ohio Supreme Court’s March invalidation of the redistricting plan proposed by the Ohio General Assembly. A later election date for those races has yet to be set.
We have compiled some resources to help with early voting and to provide more information about candidates and races happening around the state.
May primary election important dates
● April 4: Deadline to register to vote
● April 5: Absentee voting by mail begins
● April 5: Early in-person voting beings
● April 30: Deadline to request absentee ballot
How to vote in-person
You can find your polling location by visiting your local county board of election’s website or the Secretary of State’s directory.
April early in-person voting hours
● April 5-8: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
● April 11-15: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
● April 18-22: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
● April 25-29: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
● April 30: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
May Early in-person voting hours
● May 1: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
● May 2: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
How to vote by mail
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is three days before the election. There are three ways to do this.
● Fill out the online application, print it and mail it to your local county board of elections
● Call the board of elections and request an application is mailed to you
● Write a letter to county board of elections with your full name, date of birth, and address where you are registered to vote. A statement identifying the election and stating you are a qualified voter are required. A full list of required information is available on the Secretary of State’s website.
Absentee ballots should be dropped off no later than 7:30 p.m. on election day. Ballots must be postmarked by May 2.
Statewide races on upcoming ballot U.S. Senate
Current U.S. Senator Rob Portman’s news of retirement brings with it an open senate seat. Here are the candidates appearing on the May primary ballots.
Democrat
● Traci “TJ” Johnson, businesswoman and public servant
● Morgan Harper, attorney
● U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan
Republican
● Matt Dolan, state Senator
● Mike Gibbons, businessman
● Josh Mandel, former State Treasurer
● Neil Patel, businessman
● Mark Pukita, businessman
● Jane Timken, former chair of Ohio Republican Party
● JD Vance, author and businessman
Governor
Democrat
● John Cranley, former Mayor of Cincinnati
● Nan Whaley, former Mayor of Dayton
Republican
● Joe Blystone, farmer and businessowner
● Gov. Mike Dewine
● Jim Renacci, former Congressman
● Ron Hood, former state Rep.
Attorney General
● Democrat state Rep. Jeff Crossman
● Republican incumbent Dave Yost
Auditor of State
● Democrat Taylor Sappington, Nelsonville City Auditor
● Republican incumbent Keith Faber
Secretary of State
Democrat
● Chelsea Clark, Forest Park Councilmember
Republican
● John Adams
● Incumbent Frank Larose
Treasurer of State
● Democrat Scott Schertzer, Mayor of Marion
● Republican incumbent Robert Sprague
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice
● Democrat Jennifer Brunner
● Republican Sharon Kennedy
Ohio Supreme Court Justice
Democrat
● Judge Terri Jamison
● Judge Marilyn Zayas Republican
● Justice Pat Dewine
● Justice Pat Fischer
Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge
Democrat
● Judge Julie M. Lynch
● Michael J. Boyle, attorney
15th Congressional District
Democrat
● Gary Josephson
● Danny O’connor, Franklin County Recorder
Republican
● Incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Carey
3rd Congressional District
Democrat incumbent U.S. Rep Joyce Beatty
Republican Lee R. Stahley, former Whitehall City Councilman