Ohio primary election 2025: Key voting dates and info

The countdown is on and we are only a matter of weeks away from Election Day for the 2025 primary and special election in Ohio.

Early voting begins even sooner with less than a month to go. It’s the perfect time to start preparing, especially if you’re undecided or have not yet registered to vote. The deadline to register is April 7.

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While your vote serves as an answer to questions on the ballot, there are plenty of other questions you may have before you even reach the polls. What’s the deadline to register? When are the polls open? What’s on the ballot? When do results come in?

Read on to find the answers to some of your biggest questions and more for voters statewide and right here in northwest Ohio.

Plus, check out a county-by-county breakdown by selecting your county in the menu bar above, scrolling down or using Ctrl + F to search.

Note: There are no statewide candidates during the May 6 primary and special election.

The following issue will be presented to all voters during the primary:

Proposed by Joint Resolution of the General Assembly to enact Section 2t of Article VIII of the Constitution of the State of Ohio

A majority YES vote is required for the adoption of Section 2t.

This proposed amendment would:

1. Authorize the state to issue bonds or other obligations to finance or assist in financing public infrastructure capital improvements for local governments and other governmental entities.

2. Determine that such capital improvements are necessary to:

   • Preserve and expand public infrastructure

   • Ensure public health, safety and welfare

   • Create and preserve jobs

   • Enhance employment opportunities

   • Improve the economic welfare of the people of Ohio

3. Limit the total principal amount of the state general obligations issued under the amendment to no more than $2.5 billion over a 10-year period.

4. Require that obligations issued under this amendment mature no later than 30 years after their date of issuance.

5. Authorize the General Assembly to pass laws implementing this amendment, including:

   • Establishing procedures for incurring and issuing obligations

   • Providing for the use of Ohio products, materials, services and labor to the extent possible

If approved, the amendment shall take effect immediately.

OFFICIAL BALLOT LANGUAGE AND REPORT FOR ISSUE 2

Polls are open throughout Ohio from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. for in-person voting on May 6.

You will be allowed to vote as long as you’re in line before the polls close at 7:30 p.m.

You can find your polling location in Ohio HERE.

RELATED: How do I find my polling location in Ohio?

Toledo Area Jobs with Justice & Interfaith Worker Justice Coalition offers an option on Election Day for anyone who needs a ride to the polls or the Early Vote Center, or knows someone who does.

Call 419-VOTE-NOW (419-868-3669) or email gotvohio@gmail.com to schedule a ride.

Once ballots are finalized, CLICK HERE to see a sample of your local ballot in Ohio so you can prepare yourself before heading to the polls.

You can register to vote or update your voter registration online at the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office website HERE.

To register online, you need to have and submit these items:

• Ohio driver’s license or Ohio identification card number
• Name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Last four digits of your Social Security number

If you are missing any of those items, you will need to fill out a paper form, sign and send it to your county board of elections. That form is also available on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website at this link. If you do not have access to a computer or printer, most public libraries will be able to assist you, including the Toledo Lucas County Public Library.

You can also register to vote, update your registration, check your voter status and more at any Toledo Library location during open hours. Check HERE for more information and online resources offered by the library.

If you are a Safe at Home participant, you should contact the Safe at Home office before continuing online registration.

You must be a U.S. citizen to vote in Ohio. You also must be a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days immediately before the election, according to the secretary of state.

To be eligible to vote, Ohioans must be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day. Voters who are 17 years old and will turn 18 years old by the date of the general election may vote in the primary election for candidates only.

Additionally, you must not be currently incarcerated for a felony conviction under state or federal law, have not been declared incompetent for voting purposes by a probate court and have not been permanently disenfranchised for violating election laws.

For further information on voter eligibility, including for college students, military and overseas voters, check HERE.

To be eligible to vote, you must register or update your voter registration no later than 30 days before an election.

For the May 6 Primary/Special Election, the deadline to register is April 7. Boards of election are open until 9 p.m. on April 7.

Valid types of photo identification include:

• Ohio driver’s license
• State of Ohio ID card
• Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• U.S. military ID card
• Ohio National Guard ID card
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card

All photo IDs must have an expiration date that has not passed and the voter’s name that “substantially conforms” to the poll list or poll book.

If your form of identification does not match your current address in the pollbook, you can use an unexpired Ohio driver’s license, state ID card or interim documentation with your former address as a form of ID.

NOTE: Although Ohio driver’s licenses and IDs can now be added to your Apple Wallet, you will still need your physical ID to vote. If you only have a digital ID, you will have to follow the requirements for voters who do not have their ID on Election Day.

You will still be able to vote using a provisional ballot. However, for your ballot to count, you must return to the board of elections no later than four days following Election Day to provide a qualifying form of identification.

According to Ohio law, the following forms of ID will not be accepted:

• Out-of-state driver’s license or photo ID
• Social Security card
• Birth certificate
• Insurance card
• Utility bill
• Bank statement
• Government check
• Paycheck
• Other government document
• Any registration acknowledgment notice from the county boards of elections

Ohioans of any age who do not have a driver’s license can receive a state ID at no cost from any deputy registrar license agency. Click HERE for more information.

To find contact information for boards of elections in Ohio, a full directory is available on the secretary of state’s website HERE.

Early in-person voting begins April 8 and includes the two Saturdays and the Sunday before Election Day. For locations and a schedule of early voting hours for April and May, click HERE.

Absentee voting by mail begins April 8.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is the close of business seven days before Election Day, which is April 29 at 8:30 p.m. for the May 6, 2025, primary/special election. A separate ballot request must be submitted for each election.

For absentee ballots to count, they must be received before polls close on Election Day.

Alternatively, absentee ballots must be postmarked by the day before Election Day (May 5) and received no later than four days after polls close (May 10).

If you voted absentee, you can track the status of your ballot HERE on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.

Remote ballot marking systems are available for use if a voter has a qualifying disability outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act. The system allows those who qualify to mark their ballots privately and on their own, according to the Ohio Secretary of State’s office.

You are not required to say what your qualifying disability is, but you do have to confirm that you are eligible to receive your ballot under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you are a qualifying voter and would like to request an absentee ballot and use a remote ballot system to mark your ballot, you can do the following:

1. Fill out this online form at the Ohio Secretary of State’s website at this link: sos.state.oh.us/elections/voters/11-g/
2. Once filled out, click “Download & Print” at the bottom of the page
3. Open the downloaded file and verify the information
4. Print the downloaded document, sign it, put the completed form in an envelope with postage and mail it to your county board of elections as listed in the state’s directory at this link.

If you do not have a printer, you can call your county board of elections to request an application by mail.

The first unofficial results should come in shortly after 7:30 p.m. when the polls close. Absentee ballots are counted first, according to the Secretary of State’s office.

Election results are considered unofficial until certified. The deadline for certification varies on a state-by-state basis.

We will have live coverage on air and online, plus extended coverage on all platforms.

You can download the WTOL 11+ app for free and stream on your TV. You can also stream WTOL 11+ on our website and mobile app.

RELATED: How to stream news and programs on WTOL 11+ for free

WTOL 11+ will have live, local team coverage throughout election night after polls close with a breakdown of unofficial results, reactions, expert analysis and more.

RELATED: Lucas County election official explains vote counting process and ensures integrity

To view unofficial results on our website, visit the “Elections” page at wtol.com/election, which will be active the night of Election Day.

Breaking updates and unofficial results will be available through the free WTOL 11 News app and push alerts. You can find the WTOL 11 News app at the following links for Google Play or the Apple app store, or by searching your favorite app store for “WTOL 11: Toledo’s News Leader.”

Did you get an “I Voted” sticker? Share it with us by texting your name, location and photo to 419-248-1100.

You can also download a virtual “I Voted” sticker HERE.

There are no contested races on the ballot for Fulton County during the May 6 special election.

Full ballot language can be found at this link based on precinct. Ballot issues are summarized below:

Pike Township (Proposed tax levy, replacement and increase – replace 1 mill, increase .75 mill for a total of 1.75 mill, 5 years, commencing 2025): Fire protection and ambulance services.

Royalton Township (Proposed tax levy, renewal, 1.8 mills, 5 years, commencing 2025): Fire protection.

York Township (Proposed tax levy, additional, 2 mills, 5 years, commencing 2025): Fire protection and EMS.

The official list of candidates is available at this link. Candidates are summarized below:

City of Findlay – At-large council member

• Antonia Faisant (Republican)
• Jenny Fall (Democratic)
• Heather Kensinger (Republican)
• L. Reed Needles (Republican)
• Randy Otermat (Republican)
• Joshua V. Palmer (Republican)
• Bradley L. Wagner (Republican)

City of Findlay – Council member, 1st Ward

• Nichole R. Coleman (Republican)
• Holly Frische (Republican)

City of Findlay – Council member, 2nd Ward

• Michael Gentry (Republican)
• BJ Preston (Republican)

City of Findlay – Council member, 3rd Ward

• Patricia Klein (Republican)
• Shaun Mason (Democratic)
• Carol S. Smith (Republican)

City of Findlay – Council member, 5th Ward

• Brian R. Bauman (Republican)
• Kimberly Meador (Republican)

City of Findlay – Council member, 6th Ward

• Rodney D. Phillips (Republican)
• Haydee Sadler (Republican)

City of Findlay – Council member, 7th Ward

• Danny L. DeLong (Republican)
• Brody Yingling (Republican)

Full ballot language can be viewed at this link. Ballot issues are summarized below:

Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Proposed tax levy, renewal, 1.9 mills, 5 years, commencing 2025): Operation of community programs and services authorized by county boards of developmental disabilities.

Arcadia Local School District (Proposed tax levy, renewal, 1.5 mills, 4 years, commencing 2025): To avoid an operating deficit.

Bluffton Exempted Village School District (Proposed income tax, renewal, 0.50%, 3 years, commencing 2026): Permanent improvements.

Findlay City School District (Proposed income tax, additional, 1%, continuing period of time commencing 2026): Current expenses.

Findlay-Hancock County Public Library (Proposed tax levy, renewal, 0.5 mill, 5 years, commencing 2025): Current expenses.

Allen Township (Proposed zoning resolution): Regarding the unincorporated portions of Allen Township to establish the township as an agricultural district.

Cass Township (Proposed tax levy, additional, 1 mill, 5 years, commencing 2025): Fire protection.

Union Township (Proposed bond issue, additional, 1.2 mills, 15 years, commencing 2025): To construct, furnish and equip a new township garage and clear, improve and equip site.

Liberty Township (Proposed tax levy, additional, 0.9 mill, 5 years, commencing 2025): Fire protection.

Marion Township (Proposed tax levy, renewal, 1 mill, 5 years, commencing 2025): Fire protection.

There are no contested races on the ballot for Henry County during the May 6 special election.

Napoleon City Council candidates will run in the November 2025 election and will not be present on the May ballot.

Ballot information can be viewed at this link. Ballot issues are summarized below:

Bowling Green City School District (Proposed income tax, additional, 0.75%, 5 years, commencing in 2026): Current expenses.

Richfield Township (Proposed tax levy, renewal, 2.8 mills, 5 years, commencing in 2025): Fire protection.

• Wade Kapszukiewicz
• Roberto Torres
• Harold Harris

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Full ballot language can be viewed at this link based on precinct. Ballot issues are summarized below:

Lucas County – Metropolitan Park District of the Toledo Area (Proposed tax levy, replacement, 1.4 mills, 10 years, commencing 2025): Operate, improve, conserve and protect existing parks and acquire Metropark lands.

Harding Township (Proposed tax levy, renewal and increase – renew 2 mill, increase 1.5 mills for a total of 3.5 mills, 5 years, commencing 2025): Fire protection.

Jerusalem Township (Proposed tax levy, renewal, 0.75 mill, 5 years, commencing 2025): Parks and recreation.

Jerusalem Township (Proposed tax levy, renewal and increase – renew 1 mill, increase 2 mills for a total of 3 mill, 5 years, commencing 2025): Road repairs and maintenance. 

Waterville Township (Proposed tax levy, additional, 4 mills, continuing period of time commencing 2025): Current expenses.

Ottawa County – Municipal Court Judge

Full ballot language can be viewed at this link. Ballot issues are summarized below:

Village of Marblehead (Proposed tax levy, additional, 1.5 mills, 5 years commencing 2025): Police purposes.

Allen Township, excluding Clay Center (Proposed tax levy, replacement, 1.5 mills, continuing period of time commencing 2025): Police purposes.

Clay Township, excluding Genoa (Proposed tax levy, replacement, 4.3 mills, continuing period of time commencing 2025): Police purposes.

Genoa Area Local School District (Proposed tax levy, substitute, 4.5 mills, continuing period of time commencing 2025): Necessary requirements.

There are no contested seats within the Democratic Party in Sandusky County for the May 6 election. The following Republican primaries will be on the ballot for some Sandusky County voters:

City of Bellevue – Council member, At-large

• Joseph Burkhart (Republican)
• Adam Morrison (Republican)
• Beverly J. Ommert (Republican)
• Kendall C. Shepherd (Republican)

City of Fremont – Council member, 3rd Ward

• Richard Schwable (Republican)
• John W. Tate Jr. (Republican)

Full ballot language can be viewed at this link. Ballot issues are summarized below:

Bellevue City School District (Proposed income tax, renewal, 0.50%, 10 years commencing 2027): Current expenses.

Rice Township (Proposed tax levy, replacement, 2 mills, 5 years commencing 2025): Fire protection.

City of Fostoria – Council member, 1st Ward

City of Fostoria – Council member, 3rd Ward

• Sue Lehmann
• Ranae Cole Vogelsong

City of Fostoria – Council member, 4th Ward

• Gayle D. Guernsey
• Michael L. Spencer

Full ballot language can be viewed at this link based on precinct. Ballot issues are summarized below:

Arcadia Local School District (Proposed tax levy, renewal, 1.5 mills, 4 years, commencing 2025): To avoid an operating deficit.

Bellevue City School District (Proposed income tax, renewal, 0.50%, 10 years commencing 2027): Current expenses.

Findlay-Hancock County Public Library (Proposed tax levy, renewal, 0.5 mill, 5 years, commencing 2025): Current expenses.

City of Tiffin (Proposed income tax, replacement, 0.25%, continuing period of time commencing 2026): Pay costs of city officers and employees; maintain, repair and improve public streets and debt service charges.

Eden Township (Proposed tax levy, replacement and increase – replace 1 mill, increase 1.5 mills for a total of 2.5 mills, continuing period of time commencing 2025): Fire protection.

There are no contested races on the ballot for Williams County during the May 6 special election.

Full ballot language can be viewed at this link based on precinct. Ballot issues are summarized below:

Edon Northwest Local Schools (Proposed income tax, replacement, 1%, 5 years, commencing 2026): Current operating expenses.

North Central Local Schools (Proposed income tax, additional, 1%, 5 years, commencing 2026): School district purposes.

Saint Joseph Township (Proposed tax levy, renewal, 1 mill, 5 years, first due in 2025): Fire protection.

City of Fostoria – Council member, 1st Ward

• Deborah L. Born
• Aaron Harder
• Mark A. Weber

• Justin Edgell
• Kevin Fuller
• Brad Geiner
• Erin Kelly O’Rear

Full ballot language is available at this link from the Wood County Board of Elections. Ballot issues are summarized below:

Village of Milton Center (Proposed tax levy, additional, 5 mills, 5 years, commencing 2025): Current expenses.

Village of Pemberville (Proposed income tax, increase, 0.5%, commencing 2026): General municipal operations.

Bowling Green City School District (Proposed income tax, additional, 0.75%, 5 years, commencing in 2026): Current expenses.

Perrysburg Exempted Village School District (Proposed tax levy, renewal, 1.9 mills, 5 years, commencing 2025): General permanent improvements.

Rossford Exempted Village School District (Proposed tax levy, renewal and decrease of 1 mill for a total of 4.9 mills, 5 years, commencing 2025): Current expenses.

There are no contested races on the ballot for Wyandot County during the May 6 special election.

Full ballot language can be viewed at this link based on precinct. Ballot issues are summarized below:

City of Upper Sandusky (Proposed income tax, increase of 0.50%, commencing 2025): General municipal purposes.

Findlay-Hancock County Public Library (Proposed tax levy, renewal, 0.5 mill, 5 years, commencing 2025): Current expenses.