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03/18/2021

LaRose Lays out Important Information About the Upcoming Special Election in the 11th Congressional District

Media Contact

Governor DeWine Selects August 3rd for Primary, November 2nd for General

COLUMBUS– Following the announcement of the special election schedule by Governor Mike DeWine today, Secretary LaRose is providing detailed information about the upcoming dates and deadlines for the special congressional election in the 11th district.

The vacancy opened after the United States Senate confirmed now-Secretary Marcia Fudge on March 10 to serve as the head of the Department of Housing & Urban Development, and her subsequent resignation of her congressional seat. A Writ of Election may only be issued upon the resignation of a member of Congress.

“Though the Senate took a much longer time than expected to confirm Secretary Fudge, the Governor has picked an election schedule that is fair to both candidates and voters alike, and consistent with past special election timelines,” said LaRose. “Voters in the 11th district are going to get the same accessible, accurate, and secure election to which they and all Ohioans have become accustomed.”

IMPORTANT DATES:

May 5th:Declaration of candidacies for partisan candidates must be filed with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

May 24th:Declaration of candidacies for write-in candidates must be filed with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

May 25th:The county board of elections must certify the names of the candidates that will appear on the special primary ballot

July 6th:Eligible Ohioans not already registered to vote who wish to cast a ballot in the Special Congressional Primary Election must register to vote by this date

August 3rd: The Special Election Congressional Primary takes place

October 4th: Eligible Ohioans not already registered to vote who wish to cast a ballot in the Special Congressional General Election must register to vote by this date

November 2nd:The Special Congressional General Election takes place

November 23rd:Boards must complete and certify the official canvass

The amount of time between the governor’s Writ of Election announcement and the Special Congressional Primary and General Elections are very similar compared to the previous two special elections.

Column 1Column 2Column 3

Governor Issues Writ of Election

Special Election Primary Date

Total Number of Days

Special Election General Date

Total Number of Days

Speaker Boehner Special Election

Nov. 1, 2015

March 15, 2016

135

June 7, 2016

219

Rep. Tiberi Special Election

Jan. 5, 2018

May 8, 2018

123

August 8, 2018

214

Rep. Fudge Special Election

March 8, 2021

August 3, 2021

138

Ohioans interested in registering to vote or signing up to be a poll worker should visit VoteOhio.gov for more information.

Full Election Calendar (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)