VOTING is one of the most impactful things you can do for yourself and your community. Every person in the United States is represented by elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels of government. Voting allows the people to choose these representatives in the government. It ensures we have a voice and it ensures that our voices are heard.
You can register to vote, update your voter registration information, view voting options and much more at the Ohio Secretary of State website.
Voters with Disabilities
The Ohio Secretary of State is committed to ensuring every eligible voter can make their voices heard at the ballot box. Whether they are voting at their early voting location, in person on Election Day, or through the mail. Ohioans can feel confident that their vote is secure and their vote matters.
Visit the Ohio Secretary of State website for more information!
VOTING SCHEDULE FOR THE 2026 ELECTIONS
Military and Overseas Absentee Voting: Begins March 20
Deadline to Register to Vote: April 6 (boards of elections and the Ohio Secretary of State’s office are open until 9 p.m.)
Early In-Person Voting: Begins April 7 and includes the Saturday and the Sunday before Election Day (specific hours below).
Absentee Voting By Mail: Begins April 7
Election Day: May 5 (polls open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.) If not returned by mail, absentee ballots must be received by your board of elections by 7:30 p.m.
IMPORTANT DATES:
MARCH
March 20: Military and Overseas Absentee Voting begins
APRIL
April 6: Deadline to Register to Vote. Boards of elections and the Ohio Secretary of State’s office are open until 9 p.m.
April 7: Absentee Voting by Mail begins (ends May 4, postmark deadline)
April 7: Early In-Person Voting begins
April 28: Absentee ballot applications must be received by your board of elections by 8:30 p.m.
MAY
May 4: Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by this date.
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. If not returned by mail, absentee ballots must be received by your board of elections by 7:30 p.m.
May 9: Last day for boards of elections to receive non-UOCAVA absentee ballots (returned by U.S. mail) that have been postmarked on or before May 4. UOCAVA absentee ballots must be received (by mail) by boards of elections by this date to be counted.
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.
Military and Overseas Absentee Voting: Begins June 19
Deadline to Register to Vote: July 6 (boards of elections and the Ohio Secretary of State’s office are open until 9 p.m.)
Early In-Person Voting: Begins July 7 and includes the Saturday and the Sunday before Election Day (specific hours below).
Absentee Voting By Mail: Begins July 7
Election Day: August 4 (polls open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.) If not returned by mail, absentee ballots must be received by your board of elections by 7:30 p.m.
IMPORTANT DATES:
JUNE
June 19: Military and Overseas Absentee Voting begins
JULY
July 6: Deadline to Register to Vote. Boards of elections and the Ohio Secretary of State’s office are open until 9 p.m.
July 7: Absentee Voting by Mail begins (ends August 4, postmark deadline)
July 7: Early In-Person Voting begins
July 28: Absentee ballot applications must be received by your board of elections by 8:30 p.m.
AUGUST
August 3: Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by this date.
August 4: Special Election Day: Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
August 4: Absentee Ballots may be returned by mail or personally delivered to your county board of elections. If not returned by mail, absentee ballots must be received by your board of elections by 7:30 p.m.
August 8: Last day for boards of elections to receive non-UOCAVA absentee ballots (returned by U.S. mail) that have been postmarked on or before August 3. UOCAVA absentee ballots must be received (by mail) by boards of elections by this date to be counted.
EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING HOURS
- July 7 to 10: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- July 13 to 17: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- July 20 to 24: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- July 27: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- July 28: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- July 29 to July 31: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- August 1: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- August 2: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Military and Overseas Absentee Voting: Begins September 18
Deadline to Register to Vote: October 5 (boards of elections and the Ohio Secretary of State’s office are open until 9 p.m.)
Early In-Person Voting: Begins October 6 and includes the two Saturdays and the Sunday before Election Day (specific hours below).
Absentee Voting By Mail: Begins October 6
Election Day: November 3 (polls open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.) If not returned by mail, absentee ballots must be received by your board of elections by 7:30 p.m.
IMPORTANT DATES:
SEPTEMBER
September 18: Military and Overseas Absentee Voting begins
OCTOBER
October 5: Deadline to Register to Vote. Boards of elections and the Ohio Secretary of State’s office are open until 9 p.m.
October 6: Absentee Voting by Mail begins (ends November 3, postmark deadline)
October 6: Early In-Person Voting begins
October 27: Absentee ballot applications must be received by your board of elections by 8:30 p.m.
NOVEMBER
November 2: Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by this date.
November 3: General/Special Election Day: Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
November 3: Absentee Ballots may be returned by mail or personally delivered to your county board of elections. If not returned by mail, absentee ballots must be received by your board of elections by 7:30 p.m.
November 7: Last day for boards of elections to receive non-UOCAVA absentee ballots (returned by U.S. mail) that have been postmarked on or before November 2. UOCAVA absentee ballots must be received (by mail) by boards of elections by this date to be counted.
EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING HOURS
- October 6 to 9: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- October 12 to 16: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- October 19 to 23: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- October 24: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- October 26: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- October 27: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- October 28 to 30: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- October 31: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- November 1: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Between Elections
To have your voice heard between elections, research legislation and contacting your elected officials. Use your voice and be active on issues and public policy ideas by calling, email, written communication or visits.
For federal legislation, go to Congress.gov
For Ohio legislation, go to the General Assembly Search
Who are your elected officials?
