LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: What You Need To Know
Ohio’s Primary Election is Tuesday, May 5, 2026 — and what you do now will determine whether your vote counts.
This election matters!
- Primary elections decide who appears on the November ballot. If you don’t vote now, others will make those choices for you.
- Turnout in primary elections is low, which means your vote carries significantly more power.
Voting by mail? Send it Now!
Recent changes to Ohio law make timing critical.
In late 2025, Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 293, which eliminated key protections for absentee voters:
- The former 4-day grace period for postmarked ballots is gone.
- Your absentee ballot must be physically received by 7:30 PM on Election Day.
- Postmarks by Election Day are no longer sufficient.
- You can also use the drop box at each county’s Board of Election.
If you’re voting by mail and haven’t sent your ballot yet, mail it today.
Your voter registration could be at risk.
SB 293 also expanded voter registration purges. Approximately 11,000 Ohio voters have already had their registrations flagged, often without their knowledge.
- Voters are not notified when issues are found.
- If there’s a problem with your registration, your ballot may be counted only provisionally, or not at all.
- Voting in the May primary helps confirm your registration is correct before the November election.
Do not assume you’re registered—check now.
Visit voterlookup.ohiosos.gov today to:
- Confirm your voter registration status.
- Find your polling location.
- Review your updated U.S. Congressional, Ohio Senate, and State Representative districts.
Every election is important, but this one comes with new risks.
Don’t wait. Don’t assume.
Make a plan and vote on May 5.