Ohio
New mail-in ballot deadline as Ohio changes impact primary election
When’s Ohio’s 2026 primary election? Date, candidates, changes to know
See which candidates are conditionally qualified for Ohio’s 2026 primary ballot and key election deadlines.
Ohio’s primary election season has begun – Election Day is May 5. Ohio’s candidates are vying for spots on the ballot for the November midterm elections.
That’s nothing new, but Ohio made significant changes to mail-in voting that voters need to know about.
What has changed with Ohio’s mail-in ballots?
Voting through a mail-in ballot? There are some changes voters should know.
Signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine in December 2025, Senate Bill 293 requires absentee ballots to arrive by the close of polls to be counted, with an exception for military and overseas voters.
Any mail-in or absentee ballots must now be received before or on Election Day by 7:30 p.m. in order to be counted. There is no longer a 4-day grace period after Election Day.
The primary election is May 5, and the general election is Nov. 3, 2026.
So, when should you send your mail-in ballot in Ohio? The sooner the better. The U.S. Postal Service does not necessarily postmark your mail the day it is received unless you specifically request it. So, you ballot may not make it to a postal processing center until the day after you drop it in a mailbox.
When does Ohio early voting start? Key dates for early, absentee, mail-in votes
The primary election will be held May 5, 2026, according to this year’s voting schedule.
Early in‑person voting began on April 7, including the Saturday and Sunday before Election Day. Absentee voting by mail also began on April 7.
On Election Day, May 5, polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Absentee ballots must be received by your local board of elections by 7:30 p.m., per the voting schedule.
Ohio voter registration deadlines for 2026 elections
Ohioans must register or update their voter registration no later than 30 days before an election. The registration deadline for the May 5 primary was April 6, 2026.
Here are the upcoming voter registration deadlines in 2026:
- April 6, 2026, for the May 5, 2026, primary and special election
- October 5, 2026, for the November 3, 2026, general election
If you register or update your information after the deadline, the changes will apply for the next election.
The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 22, 2026, results for each game:
Powerball
Powerball drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m.
17-19-21-45-48, Powerball: 13, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 3-0-7
Evening: 1-5-2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 8-8-0-9
Evening: 8-4-4-7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 9-0-3-1-2
Evening: 7-9-6-0-7
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Rolling Cash 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.
10-16-19-23-35
Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Classic Lotto
Drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, at approximately 7:05 p.m.
13-16-28-35-41-44, Kicker: 7-6-2-8-1-3
Check Classic Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 11:15 p.m.
07-08-20-24-42, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Enquirer digital news director. You can send feedback using this form.
Meta data centers in New Albany to be among world’s largest
Meta data centers in New Albany to be among world’s largest
Ohioans won’t be voting on whether to ban data centers on the November ballot.
Conserve Ohio, the group working to block most data centers, announced that it would not submit the more than 413,000 signatures needed to make the fall ballot by the July 1 deadline.
But the data center opponents aren’t giving up on a constitutional amendment. They are now targeting the 2027 ballot.
“We want to make it clear: we will not be stopping. Construction won’t be stopping, so signature gathering and community action will not be stopping,” according to a Conserve Ohio statement.
The group’s decision comes after Ohio lawmakers failed to pass legislation to rein in data centers before a months-long break. Lawmakers disagreed on whether to reduce tax breaks for data centers or eliminate them entirely.
The debate over data centers in Ohio has created strange political bedfellows. Environmentalists and rural voters often oppose them, while business groups and labor unions are backing them.
State government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at jbalmert@gannett.com or @jbalmert on X.
Richland County is great for fishing
Some of Ohio’s best fishing opportunities are in Richland County.
Anglers can find strong opportunities for bass, crappie and catfish across central Ohio lakes this summer, according to a community announcement from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
The agency highlighted several reservoirs and lakes where fish populations remain robust and accessible, while also noting the relatively low cost of fishing in the state and the availability of free fishing promotions.
Ohio residents can purchase a one-year fishing license for $25, while youth younger than 16 do not need a license. The state also offers designated Free Fishing Days during which residents can fish without purchasing a license, though size and daily limits still apply.
Lakes across region offer diverse fishing opportunities
Central Ohio’s waterways, including reservoirs, inland lakes and streams, support a range of species such as hybrid-striped bass, crappie, black bass and catfish, according to the announcement.
Griggs Reservoir in Franklin County stands out for hybrid-striped bass, which are known for aggressive strikes and strong fights. Anglers often find success watching for birds diving on baitfish near the surface, which can signal feeding schools below. Fish exceeding 20 inches are regularly caught at the reservoir. Effective techniques include using swimbaits, rattle traps and topwater lures. The daily catch limit for hybrid-striped bass is 30 fish, with no more than four exceeding 15 inches.
Crappie fishing remains strong at Deer Creek Lake, spanning Fayette and Pickaway counties. Fisheries surveys conducted in fall 2025 identified numerous large fish. Anglers are encouraged to target submerged brush or trees, or to troll small crankbaits to cover more water.
Buckeye Lake, which touches Fairfield, Licking and Perry counties, also offers consistent crappie fishing. The lake contains both white and black crappie, with strong habitat areas such as submerged woody cover around Cranberry Bog. Public access is available through multiple boat ramps and shoreline sites.
The daily limit at both Deer Creek and Buckeye Lake is 30 crappie with a minimum length requirement of 9 inches.
Bass and catfish destinations draw anglers
Alum Creek Lake in Delaware County continues to produce largemouth and smallmouth bass in high numbers and sizes, according to the announcement. Tournament catches with five-fish totals nearing 20 pounds have been recorded.
Largemouth bass are commonly found near weed beds in shallow water, typically between 3 and 10 feet deep. Smallmouth bass are more often located near rocky areas and offshore points. The reservoir has a daily limit of five bass with a minimum length of 12 inches.
Hoover Reservoir, located in Delaware and Franklin counties, remains a key location for catfish anglers, according to the community announcement. Blue catfish stocked in 2011 have grown significantly, with some approaching 50 pounds. Anglers targeting these fish often use cut bait, especially in the northern portion of the reservoir during warmer months. The daily limit allows one blue catfish measuring at least 35 inches, with no limit on smaller fish.
The reservoir also features multiple boat launches and restrictions on motor horsepower, capped at 10 horsepower for outboard motors.
Resources and recognition programs available
The Division of Wildlife offers tools such as lake maps, fishing tips and forecasts to assist anglers, according to the announcement. These resources can be accessed through the HuntFish OH mobile app or on the agency’s website at wildohio.gov.
The agency also promotes its Fish Ohio program, which recognizes anglers who catch trophy-sized fish across 26 species. Qualifying participants receive a commemorative pin for their first entry and can earn a Master Angler pin by catching four different qualifying species within a year.
This year’s commemorative pin features a channel catfish.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
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