Precautions in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus has turned Ohio’s traditional Primary Election Day into absentee voting for most Ohioans. But there are some exceptions.

Since Ohio canceled in-person voting that would have been held on March 17 to ensure social distancing, people who received and filled out their absentee ballots had until Monday to get them postmarked.

But there are still three conditions under which people can still have their voices heard.

1. If you received and filled out an absentee ballot but could not mail it in time, you have until 7:30 pm Tuesday to place your ballot into drop off boxes located outside your local county board of elections.

2. In-person voting will be available on Tuesday from 6:30 am until 7:30 pm for some only at county boards of elections, not at precinct polling locations. In-person voting will only be available for homeless individuals or those with disabilities who require in-person voting and those who do not have a home mailing address.

3. Per a directive issued by the Ohio Secretary of State to all county election boards, voters who properly requested absentee ballots but did not receive them by April 28th will be permitted to vote provisionally at their local county Board of Election between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on April 28th. This only applies to voters whose absentee ballot applications were received by noon on Saturday, April 25, but who did not receive their ballot by the 28th.

Where to find your Board of Elections

Mahoning County Board of Elections

Renaissance Building, 345 Oak Hill Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44502.

The absentee ballot drop box is located under the awning at Entrance A.

Trumbull County Board of Elections

2947 Youngstown Rd. S.E., Warren, Ohio 44484

The absentee ballot drop box is mounted into the cement directly in front of the building, on the sidewalk as people would be walking into the building.

 

 

Columbiana County Board of Elections

7989 Dickey Drive, Suite #3, Lisbon, OH 44432

The absentee ballot drop box is located directly outside the main office doors on the left-hand side.

 

 

What to expect Tuesday night

According to the Ohio Secretary of State, unlike previous elections that provided updates from precincts in each county throughout the evening, all 88 county boards of elections will provide a single release of results from their county on April 28th. These results will include all ballots received and counted through April 28th at 7:30 p.m.

Initial election results that become available Tuesday night will be an unofficial tally since some ballots postmarked by April 27th, but arrive at the board of elections after April 28th won’t become part of the official canvas until it is completed three weeks after the conclusion of the election. Provisional ballots would also need to be certified to be counted.

Ballots that are postmarked by April 27th and arrive at the board of elections by May 8th will be counted as part of the official canvas.

What's on the ballots

Voters who asked for a Republican ballot found Donald Trump the only presidential candidate. While Democrats will see the names of eleven Democratic candidates for President on the ballot, only Joe Biden is still in the race after challengers have dropped out.

MAHONING COUNTY

There are no local contested primary races in Mahoning County. Some candidates on the ballot will challenge each other in the November General Election.

Austintown and Poland schools have renewal levies. Beaver Township voters are deciding on an additional 2.9 mills for police.

The City of Salem is seeking a one mill recreational renewal. Sebring is voting on gas aggregation.

Some precincts in Canfield, Boardman, and Craig Beach will decide liquor options.

A comprehensive list of local candidates and issues in Mahoning County may be found here.

TRUMBULL COUNTY

Unlike Mahoning County, voters from both sides of the aisle are being asked to choose candidates to run in November

There are seven names on the GOP ballot in the 13th Congressional District, all hoping to unseat long-time Democrat Tim Ryan in the fall.

14th Congressional District incumbent David Joyce faces a primary challenge from fellow Republican Mark Pitrone.

Two Republicans are running for the 32nd State Senate Seat, hoping to face incumbent Democrat Sean O'Brien in November.

Three Democrats are in the race for 63rd District State Representative.

Two GOP candidates are vying for the county commissioner post now held by Democrat Dan Polivka, who faces challenges from two fellow Democrats.

Democrat David DeChristofaro is challenging incumbent Trumbull County Engineer Randy Smith in what has become a heated race.

Two Democrats are in the race for Trumbull County Coroner.

Liberty and Southington Schools seek additional millage.  Renewals are on the ballot in Hubbard, Lordstown, Mathews, and Newton Falls school districts.

The Eagle Joint Fire District in Hubbard is asking for an additional millage for the fire department.  There is a replacement levy for Bazetta Township fire and EMS.

Voters in parts of Warren, Howland, and Champion will consider Sunday liquor sale options.

A comprehensive list of Trumbull County Democrats may be found here

A comprehensive list of Trumbull County Republicans may be found here

A comprehensive list of Trumbull County Libertarians may be found here

A comprehensive list of Trumbull County questions and issues may be found here

COLUMBIANA COUNTY

The only partisan race in Columbiana County is in the race for congress.   Incumbent Bill Johnson is being challenged by fellow Republican Kenneth Morgan.

East Palestine and Southern Local schools are asking for additional millage.

Additional money issues are also on ballots in Rogers Village, the City of East Liverpool, and the Sandy Creek Joint Fire District.

Renewals are sought by Columbiana County Job and Family Services, the City of Salem, Perry Township Police, and Center Township Roads.

A comprehensive list of Columbiana County candidates and issues may be found here.

What's on my ballot?