Key Election Dates
Key Election Dates
2021 Primary Election
Jan. 01: Applications for absentee ballots for all 2021 elections may be accepted (first day of the year)
Jan. 29: Annual campaign finance reports must be filed by certain candidates, political action committees, caucus committees (legislative campaign funds), and political parties by 4 p.m.
Feb. 03: Constitutional amendments proposed by a joint resolution of the General Assembly must be filed with the Secretary of State (90 days before primary/special election)
Feb. 03: Declarations of candidacy for partisan candidates must be filed by 4 p.m. (90 days before primary/special election)
Feb. 03: Local questions and issues for May 4, 2021 primary/special election, including local option petitions, must be certified to or filed with boards of elections by 4 p.m.
Feb. 16*: Boards of elections must certify the validity and sufficiency of partisan candidates’ petitions (78 days before primary/special election)
Feb. 22*: Write-in candidates for May 4 primary/special election must file declarations of intent by 4 p.m. (72 days before primary election)
Feb.23: Form of official ballots for May 4 primary/special election must be certified by Secretary of State to boards of elections (70 days before primary/special election)
Apr. 05*: Deadline for voter registration for May 4 primary/special election (30 days before primary/special election)
May 01: Applications for absentee ballots to be mailed for May 4 primary/special election must be received by boards of elections by noon (3 days before primary/special election)
May 04: Primary/Special Election Day. Polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Click here to access the full 2021 Ohio elections calendar