An official State of Ohio government site.
Logo for Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose

03/10/2026

Important Voter Information Toolkit

Media Contact

Banner reading “2026 Voter Information Toolkit” with the Ohio state seal in the background.

Greetings from the Office of the Ohio Secretary of State,

As Ohio enters the 2026 Primary Election cycle, it is essential as always, that voters have clear and accurate information so they can confidently cast their ballots and ensure their voices are heard.

This communications toolkit was developed to support that effort. It provides key dates, important updates for this year’s election, and resources to help county boards of elections, news outlets, elected officials, and civic-minded organizations effectively communicate key information about the 2026 Primary Election, including recent changes to Ohio’s absentee voting deadlines.

Below you will find a list of key election dates, a letter for use in an organization's emails, newsletters, or other publications, and ready-to-use social media graphics to share with your networks. We encourage you to use these materials to help inform voters in your community!

How You Can Help

Please share information about the 2026 Ohio Primary and VoteOhio.gov on your social media channels using the templates provided below. We also invite you to follow @OHSecofState and @VerifyOhio on Facebook, Instagram, and X. These accounts are trusted sources for accurate information about Ohio’s elections.

Key 2026 Primary Election Dates

March 20: Military and Overseas absentee voting begins
April 6: Voter registration deadline
April 7: Early in-person voting begins
May 3: Early in-person voting ends
May 5: Primary Election Day. Polls open 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Absentee ballots must be received by your county board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

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.

Social Media Graphics

Click on the graphics below and download them to your computer for use on your social channels. If you have any issues with downloading the graphics, contact Michael Vannest at [email protected].

BEFORE EARLY VOTING BEGINS

Graphic stating “Absentee ballots must be returned by Election Day” with VoteOhio.gov.

Graphic asking “Is your voter registration up to date?” with VoteOhio.gov.

DURING EARLY VOTING

Graphic urging voters to make a plan to vote for Ohio’s May 5 primary at VoteOhio.gov.

Graphic encouraging voters to request and return mail ballots early, with voting options at VoteOhio.gov.

Graphic announcing early voting has started for Ohio’s May 5 primary with voting options at VoteOhio.gov.

Graphic asking if you requested or mailed an absentee ballot and directing voters to track it at VoteOhio.gov/Track.

LESS THAN ONE WEEK UNTIL ELECTION DAY

Graphic stating Election Day is less than one week away and encouraging voters to plan at VoteOhio.gov.

Graphic reminding voters to return absentee ballots and noting they can deliver them to a board of elections or drop box.

ON ELECTION DAY

Graphic announcing “Today is Election Day” and reminding voters to vote or return absentee ballots by 7:30 PM at VoteOhio.gov.

Graphic stating it’s Election Day and polls close at 7:30 PM, with polling location info at VoteOhio.gov.

LETTER: Important Changes for Returning Mail-In Ballots

We encourage you to simply copy and paste the letter below into an email and send it to your organization's members, friends and family, media outlets or other stakeholders to help spread the word about recent changes to Ohio's election laws.

As Ohio prepares for the May 5, 2026 Primary Election, voters who choose to vote by mail should be aware of an important requirement that may impact whether their ballot is counted. Under Ohio's new law, absentee ballots must be received by your county board of elections before polls close on Election Day.

Voters planning to vote absentee should request and return their ballots early to allow sufficient time for delivery. Absentee ballots may also be personally delivered directly to the voter’s county board of elections before polls close on Election Day. Verifying deadlines and submission options in advance can help avoid issues on Election Day.

A recent change to Ohio law also helps maintain accurate voter rolls by addressing a small population of inaccurate records that need to be resolved. These mismatches may involve a voter’s date of birth, Social Security number, and/or driver license or identification number. If your board of elections asks you to update or verify your info, it’s important that you respond promptly. Voters who receive such a notice by mail will be asked to update their information. If a voter's information is not updated in advance and they come to vote on Election Day, they may be required to cast a provisional ballot unless they provide the proper verification. Accurate voter rolls matter, and Ohioans can be proud that we take it seriously in the Buckeye State.

Staying informed about voting procedures and promptly responding to official notices can help ensure a smooth voting experience. Ohio voters are encouraged to review their registration information and make any necessary updates ahead of Election Day so their votes are counted.

Voting is a right and responsibility that we cherish as Ohioans. Everything you need to make your voice heard can be conveniently found at VoteOhio.gov.