31-03-2025
Voting guide to early in-person voting for May primaries
(WKBN) — With a little over a month away from the May Primary Election in Ohio, early in-person voting is set to start next week.
For all Ohioans, the primary election is on Tuesday, May 6, and voter registration is due by April 7 at 9 p.m. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is April 29. No state or federal offices are up for election, but several city councils will be deciding who will serve.
Voters will be required to show a photo ID in Ohio to cast an in-person early ballot. If you do not provide a photo ID and want to vote early in person, you may cast a provisional ballot.
The early in-person voting schedule for Ohio is as follows:
April 8-11: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
April 14-18: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
April 21-25: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
April 28: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
April 29: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
April 30 – May 2: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
May 3: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
May 4: 1–5 p.m.
Here is where to vote early in your county, as well as some key issues and races on the ballots:
Trumbull CountyEarly in-person voting will take place at the county's Board of Elections at 2947 Youngstown Road SE in Warren.
An interesting race is setting up for the Democrat for Warren City Council at Large. Five candidates are running for three seats. Incumbent Gary Steinbeck has decided not to run. Helen Rucker and Mike O'Brien are also incumbents seeking re-election. They'll be challenged by former councilman Ken MacPherson, Greg Thumm of Thumm's Bike and Clock Shop, and Felicia Pruitt Davis.
Champion is asking for an additional 1.6 mills for police and EMS, and Vienna is asking for an additional 3.5 mills for fire and EMS. Visit this page to preview your ballot.
Mahoning CountyAbsentee ballots can be filled out on this page. Sample ballots can be viewed here.
Early in-person voting will take place at the county's Board of Elections at 345 Oak Hill Ave (use entrance A).
The race that will likely generate the most interest will be the Democratic primary for Youngstown Mayor. Incumbent Tito Brown will have a challenger. Brown will be challenged by current Third Ward Councilwoman Samantha Turner.
Another interesting race will be for the Youngstown City Council President. Incumbents Mike Ray and Anita Davis have filed to take over as president after current President Tom Hetrick decided not to run again. Republican Tracy Randall has also filed and will run against the Ray-Davis winner in November.
Columbiana CountyCheck this page to preview your ballot.
Early in-person voting will take place at the county's Board of Elections in Lisbon at 7989 Dickey Drive, Suite #3.
There are a number of races in Columbiana County where there is a lack of candidates. Most are in East Liverpool, where no one filed to run for president of council, treasurer, or council members in the first, third and fourth wards.
Only one person filed for the three positions of council at large. Lisbon needs three more council members, and Wellsville needs two.
A one percent sales tax renewal will be on the May ballot, and Salem will be looking to renew a quarter-percent income tax.
Mercer CountyAbsentee ballots must be completed and mailed to the Board of Elections office by April 29. Fill out this online form or call the office at 724-662-7542 for it to be mailed to you. Ballots are typically mailed to voters 21 days before the election, and the postmark return date deadline is May 19. Find information about how to get an emergency absentee ballot should one persist.
Voter registration for the Tuesday, May 20 primary election is due by May 5 and can be completed here. Voting on May 20 will take place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Early in-person voting, also known as on-demand voting, is at the Board of Elections office at 130 North Pitt Street, Suite B:
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from April 29 to May 13.
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 14-16 (If you requested a ballot before May 13)
For state races, one judge of the Superior Court and one for the Commonwealth Court are up for grabs. These positions are 10-year terms.
For Mercer County, controller and treasurer, both four-year terms, are on the ballot. Republican controller Stephen Sherman II is seeking reelection, as well as Republican treasurer Amber White. Both are currently running uncontested.
A few municipalities have contested mayoral races, including Greenville, Grove City, Stoneboro and Sharpsville, whose long-time mayor Alex Kovach resigned in July and Democratic candidate Mark Gill has been in the position since.
All races in Mercer County can be found here, and an unofficial list of candidates is on this page.
Stan Boney contributed to this report.
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