Ohio 2026 Primary Elections: Your Guide to Voting and Candidates
Ohio residents are gearing up to make our voices heard at the upcoming primary election on May 5th 2026.
With a variety of statewide offices and congressional seats up for grabs, voters have the opportunity to shape the future of their local and national government. Whether you’re a seasoned voter or participating for the first time, staying informed about voting procedures, candidates, and the issues at stake is crucial. This guide will provide you with essential information on voting times, valid identification requirements, and the candidates running for key positions.
May
- May 5: Primary/Special Election Day: Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- May 5: Absentee ballots may be returned by mail or personally delivered to your county board of elections. Absentee ballots must be received by your board of elections by 7:30 p.m.
Early in-person voting hours
- April 7 to 10: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- April 13 to 17: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- April 20 to 24: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- April 27: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- April 28: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- April 29 to May 1: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- May 2: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- May 3: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Do I Need Voter ID?
The following are all the types of valid photo identification:
- Ohio driver’s license
- State of Ohio ID card
- Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV
- A U.S. passport
- A U.S. passport card
- U.S. military ID card
- Ohio National Guard ID card
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card
All photo IDs must have the following:
- An expiration date that has not passed
- A photograph of the voter
- The voter’s name, which must substantially conform to the voter’s name as it appears in the Poll List or in the Poll Book
Check the entire list of acceptable IDs here.
If you do not bring an acceptable form of ID, or if your eligibility is in question because you moved or changed your name but didn’t update your registration, you can still vote using a provisional ballot.
Voting provisionally simply means that election officials need to double-check your eligibility. To do so, you must visit the Board of Elections within four days after Election Day to provide that identification, so your vote can be counted in the final election totals. Election officials are also required to attempt to contact voters by mail, phone or email to resolve any issues with their ballots.
What am I voting on?
Statewide Races:
United States Senator:
Governor and Lieutenant Governor:
- Amy Acton, David Pepper (D)
- Heather Hill, Stuart Moats (R)
- Don Kissick, James L. Mills (L)
- Casey Putsch, Kimberly C. Georgeton (R)
- Vivek Ramaswamy, Robert A. McColley (R)
Attorney General:
Secretary of State:
Auditor of State:
Treasurer of State:
Justice of the Supreme Court:
- Ohio’s 4th Congressional District: covers a large, predominantly rural area in central and northwestern Ohio, including Champaign, Allen, Auglaize, Logan, the Northern/ Central part of Shelby and other counties
- Ohio’s 8th Congressional District: includes Butler, Darke, Preble, and parts of Hamilton and Miami counties.
- Ohio’s 10th Congressional District: covers Dayton, Montgomery County, Greene County, and parts of Clark County.
- Ohio’s 15th Congressional District: covers parts of southwestern to central Ohio, including parts of Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Miami, and all of Madison County.
Remember, whether your preferred candidates win or lose, participating in elections is a vital part of civic engagement and ensures that your voice is part of the collective decision-making process. Stay tuned for election results and continue to be an active participant in shaping the future of your community and state.
For any updates or further inquiries about voting, reach out to your local Board of Elections.
Montgomery County Board of Elections
Greene County Board of Elections
Clark County Board of Elections
Champaign County Board of Elections
Darke County Board of Elections
Logan County Board of Elections
Preble County Board of Elections