Skip to Main Content
U.S. Flag

An official County Government website.

SSL

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures you're connecting to the official website and any information you provide is encrypted and cannot be seen by anyone else.

Dot gov

The .gov means it's official
Many state and federal websites end in .gov, a domain only used by government entities in the U.S.

Home / About The Board / Press Releases and Board Meeting Notices / Early Voting in Hamilton County Kicks Off Tomorrow for May 5th Primary Election

Early Voting in Hamilton County Kicks Off Tomorrow for May 5th Primary Election

April 6, 2026

Early Voting in Hamilton County Kicks Off Tomorrow for May 5th Primary Election

April 6, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 6, 2026                                        

Contacts:

Sherry L. Poland, Director, 513-946-8577

Raquel D. Burgos, Deputy Director, 513-946-8511

Early Voting in Hamilton County Kicks Off Tomorrow for May 5th Primary Election

HAMILTON COUNTY, Ohio – There will be a Primary Election on May 5th 2026, with Early Voting beginning on Tuesday, April 7th at the Board of Elections Early Vote Center in Norwood.

Today is the last day to register to vote or to update your name and/or address for the May 5th Primary Election. The deadline to register or update is today, Monday April 6th, 2026. Voters can check their registration, register, and/or update their registration on the Board of Elections (BOE) website (VoteHamiltonCountyOhio.gov) or in person at the Board of Elections, Public Library or BMV.

  • For the convenience of voters, the Board of Elections (BOE) will be open until 9:00pm today to receive paper registration forms or voters can register or update their name or address online, until 11:59pm, through the Ohio Secretary of State (gov).

The Board has announced important changes to some polling locations and congressional districts for the May Primary Election. Some voters in Hamilton County will notice updated polling locations and/or a new congressional district. The BOE encourages all voters to verify their polling location and their sample ballot to ensure they are prepared for the 2026 election cycle.

“Hamilton County voters will soon be receiving a Postcard Notice from the Board, by mail, which will show their current polling location and voting districts along with important deadlines and voting information for the May Primary Election,” said Sherry Poland, Director. 

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.

During a Primary Election, political parties nominate their candidates for the November General Election.  Voters will select a ballot type when they appear to vote: Democratic, Republican or Libertarian and some jurisdictions will have the option of an Issues Only ballot. In Ohio, the ballot type that a voter selects in a Primary Election is how the Board records a voter’s choice for political party affiliation on their voter registration record.

17-year old’s who will be 18 years of age by the next General Election (November 3, 2026) may register to vote and may nominate candidates in primary elections. They cannot vote on Questions or Issues or on Central Committee members.

There are three ways to cast your ballot in the May 5th Primary Election:

  1. Voting Early In-Person – Voting at the Early Vote Center (4700 Smith Road, Norwood) begins Tuesday, April 7th and ends Sunday, May 3rd. Check the BOE website (gov) for the full early voting schedule.
  1. Election Day Voting – Election Day voting is Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 from 6:30am-7:30pm. Voters should check their polling location on the BOE website (votehamiltoncountyohio.gov).
  1. Voting Early by Mail – Applications can be downloaded from the BOE website (gov) or call the Board at 513-946-8500. The BOE will begin mailing ballots to voters who have already requested them on April 7th. The deadline to apply for a vote by mail ballot is Tuesday April 28th.
  • NEW this 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 their county board of elections before polls close on Election Day.
  • Voters planning to vote absentee by mail should request and return their ballots early to allow sufficient time for delivery. Absentee ballots may also be personally delivered directly to the Board of Elections before polls close on Election Day. Verifying deadlines and submission options in advance can help avoid issues on Election Day.
  • The Board of Elections 24/7 Drop Box (4700 Smith Road, Norwood) is available only to voters returning their own ballot. Voters returning a ballot on behalf of a family member or a voter with a disability must return those ballots to the BOE during business hours (VoteHamiltonCountyOhio.gov) and must complete a Ballot Delivery Attestation (Form 12-P).

“The Board of Elections encourages all voters to act now to ensure they are ready to vote in the 2026 Primary Election in May. By reviewing their voter registration, polling location, and district information ahead of time, Hamilton County voters can help ensure a smooth and successful Election Day. To see what is on the ballot in your jurisdiction, visit the Board’s website to view a sample ballot” says Deputy Director Raquel Burgos,

 ###

View as PDF

View attachment 1

View attachment 2

View attachment 3

View attachment 4

View attachment 5