2018 Elections Calendar

Jan. 1

Applications for absentee ballots for 2018 elections may be accepted (first day of the year)

Jan. 8

Last day for local option petitioners seeking to sell at a community facility to send street listing to Division of Liquor Control (30 days before Feb. 7, 2018 deadline for filing petitions for May 8, 2018 primary election)

Jan. 28

Boards of elections must prepare and publish notices of the May 8 primary election and provide the notices to federal write-in absentee voters upon request (no later than 100 days before primary election)

Feb. 7

Constitutional amendments proposed by joint resolution of the General Assembly must be filed with Secretary of State (90 days before primary election)

OH Const. XVI,§1(opens in a new window)

Declarations of candidacy for partisan candidates must be filed by 4 p.m. (90 days before primary election)

Local questions and issues for May 8 primary election, including local option petitions, must be certified to or filed with boards of elections by 4 p.m. (90 days before primary election)................

Feb. 19

Boards of elections must certify the validity and sufficiency of partisan candidates’ petitions (78 days before primary election)

Boards of elections must certify the validity and sufficiency of local option petitions (78 days before primary election)

Feb. 23

Protests against partisan candidates’ petitions must be filed by 4 p.m. (74 days before primary election)

Protests against local option petitions must be filed by 4 p.m. (74 days before primary election)

Feb. 26*

Write-in candidates for May 8 primary election must file declarations of intent by 4 p.m. (72 days before primary election)

Feb. 27

Form of official ballots for May 8 primary election must be certified by Secretary of State to boards of elections (70 days before primary election)

Board of elections of most populous county in a multi-county subdivision must certify names of all candidates to other boards of elections (70 days before primary election)

March 2

Protests against write-in candidates must be filed by 4 p.m. (67 days before primary election)

March 9

Boards of elections must schedule a program for instruction of precinct election officials (within 60 days before primary election)

R.C. 3501.27(opens in a new window)

March 24

UOCAVA absentee ballots for May 8 primary election must be ready (45 days before primary election)

Boards of elections must update and publish notices of May 8 primary election by this date and provide the notices to federal write-in absentee voters upon reques t(no later than 45 days before primary election)

March 27

Boards of elections must advertise in newspaper(s) the places, dates, times, qualifications, and methods for voter registration (6 weeks before primary election)

R.C. 3503.12(opens in a new window)

April 9*

Deadline for voter registration for May 8 primary election (30 days before primary election)

April 10

Non-UOCAVA absentee ballots for May 8 primary election must be ready (first day after close of voter registration)

R.C. 3509.01(opens in a new window)

April 18

Deadline to file corrections and challenges to precinct registration lists (20 days before primary election)

R.C. 3503.24(opens in a new window)

Committees advocating or opposing issues on May 8 primary election ballot must file by 4 p.m. to be recognized as a committee to appoint observers (20 days before primary election)

April 24

Boards of elections must prepare precinct voter registration lists (14 days before primary election)

R.C. 3503.23(opens in a new window)

April 27

Deadline for political parties, groups of candidates and issue committees to file notice of observer appointments (11 days before primary election)

April 28

Boards of elections must give public notice of election (10 days before primary election)

R.C. 3501.03(opens in a new window)

April 29

Boards of elections must prepare and publish notices of the Aug. 7 special election and provide the notices to federal write-in absentee voters upon request (no later than 100 days before special election)

April 30*

Certificate to fill vacancy on ballot caused by death of candidate whose name is on May 8 primary election ballot in more than one county must be filed by 4 p.m. (10 days before primary election)

May 3

Certificate to fill vacancy on ballot caused by death of candidate whose name is on the May 8 primary election ballot in only one county must be filed by 4 p.m. (5 days before primary election)

May 5

Applications for absentee ballots to be mailed for May 8 primary election must be received by boards of elections by noon (3 days before primary election)

May 7

Nominating petitions of independent candidates for offices for which a primary election may be held must be filed by 4 p.m. (day before primary election)

Amendments to observer appointments must be filed by 4 p.m. (day before primary election)

R.C. 3505.21(opens in a new window)

Boards of elections must submit verification forms of handicapped accessible parking and handicapped accessible polling locations to the Secretary of State’s Office

(no later than day before primary election)

R.C. 3501.29(opens in a new window)

May 8

Primary Election Day. Polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

R.C. 3501.01(opens in a new window), .32(opens in a new window)

If voter, or voter’s minor child, is hospitalized because of accident or medical emergency, voter may apply for an absentee ballot until 3 p.m.

R.C. 3509.08(opens in a new window)

Absentee ballots, returned in person or via a method other than U.S. Mail, must be received by the boards of elections by close of polls

R.C. 3509.05(opens in a new window), 3511.11(opens in a new window)

May 9

Local questions and issues for Aug. 7 special election must be certified to or filed with boards of elections by 4 p.m. (90 days before special election)

R.C. 3501.01(opens in a new window), .02(opens in a new window)

May 18

Absentee ballots returned by U.S. Mail must be postmarked no later than May 7 and received by boards of elections by this date to be counted (10 days after primary election)

UOCAVA absentee ballots must be received by boards of elections by this date to be counted (10 days after primary election)

R.C. 3511.11(opens in a new window)

May 19

Boards of elections may begin official canvass of May 8 primary election ballots (11 days after primary election)

May 23

Boards of elections must begin official canvass of May 8 primary election ballots no later than this date (15 days after primary election)

R.C. 3513.22(opens in a new window)

May 29

Boards of elections must complete canvass of May 8 primary election ballots no later than this date (21 days after primary election)

R.C. 3513.22(opens in a new window)

June 8

Boards of elections must schedule a program for instruction of precinct election officials (within 60 days before special election)

June 14

Last day for local option petitioners to send street listing to Division of Liquor Control (55 days before August 8 deadline for filing petitions for Nov. 6 general election)

R.C 4301.33(opens in a new window), 4305.14(opens in a new window)

June 15

Board of elections of most populous county of a district located in more than one county must transmit petitions of independent candidates to other boards of elections

R.C. 3513.262(opens in a new window)

June 23

UOCAVA absentee ballots for Aug. 7 special election must be ready (45 days before special election)

Boards of elections must update and publish notices of Aug. 7 special election and provide the notices to federal write-in absentee voters upon request (no later than 45 days before special election)

June 26

Boards of elections must advertise in newspaper(s) the places, dates, times, qualifications, and methods for voter registration (6 weeks before special election)

R.C. 3503.12(opens in a new window)

July 3

Deadline for prospective minor political parties to file party formation petitions with the Secretary of State (126 days before general election)

R.C. 3517.012(opens in a new window)

July 4

Constitutional amendments or statutes proposed by initiative petitions submitted directly to the voters must be filed with Secretary of State (125 days before general election)

July 8

May 8 primary election ballots, except for federal office, may be discarded unless ordered held by a court or the Secretary of State (61 days after primary election)

July 9*

Deadline for voter registration for Aug. 7 special election (30 days before special election)

R.C. 3503.19(opens in a new window)

July 10

Non-UOCAVA absentee ballots for Aug. 7 special election must be ready (first day after close of voter registration)

R.C. 3509.01(opens in a new window)

July 15

Boards of elections must certify petitions of independent candidates

R.C. 3513.262(opens in a new window)

July 18

Deadline to file corrections and challenges to precinct registration lists (20 days before special election)

R.C. 3503.24(opens in a new window)

Committees advocating or opposing issues on Aug. 7 special election ballot must file by 4 p.m. to be recognized as a committee to appoint observers (20 days before special election)

July 24

Boards of elections must prepare precinct voter registration lists (14 days before special election)

July 27

Deadline for political parties, groups of candidates and issue committees to file notice of observer appointments (11 days before special election)

R.C. 3505.21(opens in a new window)

July 28

Boards of elections must give public notice of Aug. 7 special election (10 days before special election)

July 29

Boards of elections must prepare and publish notices of the Nov. 6 general election and provide the notices to federal write-in absentee voters upon request (no later than 100 days before general election)

July 30

Protests against independent candidates nominated by petition must be filed by 4 p.m.

Aug. 4

Applications for absentee ballots to be mailed for Aug. 7 special election must be received by noon (3 days before special election)

R.C. 3509.03(opens in a new window), .08(opens in a new window), 3511.02(opens in a new window)

Aug. 6

Amendments to observer appointments must be filed by 4 p.m. (day before special election)

R.C. 3505.21(opens in a new window)

Boards of elections must submit verification forms of handicapped accessible parking and handicapped accessible polling locations to the Secretary of State’s Office (no later than day before special election)

Aug. 7

Special Election may be held. Polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

R.C. 3501.01(opens in a new window), .32(opens in a new window)

If voter, or voter’s minor child, is hospitalized because of accident or medical emergency, voter may apply for an absentee ballot until 3 p.m.

R.C. 3509.08(opens in a new window)

Absentee ballots, returned in person or via a method other than U.S. Mail, must be received by the boards of elections by close of polls

R.C. 3509.05(opens in a new window), 3511.11(opens in a new window)

Aug. 8

Constitutional amendments proposed by joint resolution of the General Assembly must be filed with Secretary of State (90 days before general election)

OH Const. XVI, §1(opens in a new window)

Nominating petitions of candidates in nonpartisan races must be filed by 4 p.m. (90 days before general election)

R.C. 1907.13(opens in a new window), 3513.259(opens in a new window), .263(opens in a new window)

Local questions and issues for Nov. 6 general election, including local option petitions, must be certified to or filed with boards of elections by 4 p.m. (90 days before general election)

Aug. 13*

Political party or independent candidate nominating committees must certify name of person to fill vacancy on ballot caused by withdrawal or disqualification of candidate by 4 p.m. (86 days before general election)

Aug. 17

Absentee ballots returned by U.S. Mail must be postmarked no later than Aug. 6 and received by boards of elections by this date to be counted (10 days after special election)

UOCAVA absentee ballots for Aug. 7 special election must be received by boards of elections by this date to be counted (10 days after special election)

R.C. 3511.11(opens in a new window)

Aug. 18

Boards of elections may begin official canvass of Aug. 7 special election ballots (11 days after special election)

Aug. 20

Boards of elections must certify the validity and sufficiency of candidates’ petitions in nonpartisan races (78 days before general election)

R.C. 3513.263(opens in a new window)

Boards of elections must certify the validity and sufficiency of local option petitions (78 days before general election)

Aug. 22

Boards of elections must begin official canvass of Aug. 7 special election ballots no later than this date (15 days after special election)

R.C. 3505.32(opens in a new window)

Aug. 24

Protests against candidates for nonpartisan office must be filed by this date (74 days before general election)

R.C. 3513.263(opens in a new window)

Protests against local option petitions must be filed by 4 p.m. (74 days before general election)

R.C. 4301.33(opens in a new window), .331(opens in a new window), .332(opens in a new window), .333(opens in a new window), .334(opens in a new window), 4305.14(opens in a new window)

Aug. 27*

Write-in candidates for Nov. 6 general election must file declarations of intent by 4 p.m. (72 days before general election)

R.C. 3513.041(opens in a new window)

Aug. 28

Boards of elections must complete canvass of Aug. 7 special election ballots no later than this date (21 days after special election)

R.C. 3505.32(opens in a new window)

Form of official Nov. 6 general election ballots must be certified by Secretary of State to boards of elections (70 days before general election)

R.C. 3505.01(opens in a new window)

Boards of elections of most populous county in a multi-county subdivision must certify names of all candidates for general election ballot to other boards of elections (70 days before general election)

Aug. 31

Protests against write-in candidates must be filed by 4 p.m. (67 days before general election)

R.C. 3513.041(opens in a new window)

Sep. 7

Boards of elections must schedule a program for instruction of precinct election officials (within 60 days before general election)

R.C. 3501.27(opens in a new window)

Sep. 22

UOCAVA absentee ballots for Nov. 6 general election must be ready (45 days before general election)

R.C. 3511.04(opens in a new window)

Boards of elections must update and publish notices of Nov. 6 general election and provide the notices to federal write-in absentee voters upon request

(no later than 45 days before general election)

R.C. 3511.16(opens in a new window)

Sep. 25

Boards of elections must advertise in newspaper(s) the places, dates, times, qualifications, and methods for voter registration (6 weeks before general election)

R.C. 3503.12(opens in a new window)

Oct. 7

Aug. 7 special election ballots may be discarded, unless ordered held by a court or the Secretary of State (61 days after special election)

R.C. 3505.31 (opens in a new window)

Oct. 9*

Deadline for voter registration for Nov. 6 general election (30 days before general election)

R.C. 3501.10(B)(opens in a new window), 3503.19(opens in a new window)

Oct. 10

Non-UOCAVA absentee ballots for Nov. 6 general election must be ready (first day after close of voter registration)

R.C. 3509.01(opens in a new window)

Oct. 17

Deadline to file corrections and challenges to precinct registration lists (20 days before general election)

R.C. 3503.24(opens in a new window)

Committees advocating or opposing issues on Nov. 6 general election ballot must file by 4 p.m. to be recognized as a committee to appoint observers(20 days before general election)

Oct. 23

Boards of elections must prepare precinct voter registration lists (14 days before general election)

R.C. 3503.23(opens in a new window)

Oct. 26

Deadline for political parties, groups of candidates and issue committees to file notice of observer appointments (11 days before general election)

R.C. 3505.21(opens in a new window)

Oct. 27

Boards of elections must give public notice of Nov. 6 general election (10 days before general election)

Oct. 29*

Certificate to fill vacancy on ballot caused by death of candidate nominated at primary election whose name is on ballot in more than one county must be filed by 4 p.m. (10 days before general election)

Nov. 1

Certificate to fill vacancy on ballot caused by death of independent or nonpartisan candidate prior to Oct. 27 (10 days before general election) must be filed by 4 p.m. (5 days before general election)

Certificate to fill vacancy on ballot caused by death of candidate nominated at primary election whose name is on ballot in only one county must be filed by 4 p.m. (5 days before general election)

Nov. 3

Applications for absentee ballots to be mailed for Nov. 6 general election must be received by boards of elections by noon (3 days before general election)

R.C. 3509.03(opens in a new window), .08(opens in a new window), 3511.02(opens in a new window)

Nov. 5

Amendments to observer appointments must be filed by 4 p.m. (day before general election)

Boards of elections must submit verification forms of handicapped accessible parking and handicapped accessible polling locations to the Secretary of State’s Office (no later than day before general election)

Nov. 6

General Election Day. Polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

R.C. 3501.01(opens in a new window), .32(opens in a new window)

If voter, or voter’s minor child, is hospitalized because of accident or medical emergency, voter may apply for absentee ballot until 3 p.m.

R.C. 3509.08(opens in a new window)

Absentee ballots, returned in person or via a method other than U.S. Mail, must be received by the boards of elections by close of polls

R.C. 3509.05(opens in a new window), 3511.11(opens in a new window)

Nov. 16

Absentee ballots returned by U.S. Mail must be postmarked no later than Nov. 5 and received by boards of elections by this date to be counted (10 days after general election)

UOCAVA absentee ballots must be received by boards of elections by this date to be counted (10 days after general election)

R.C. 3511.11(opens in a new window)

Nov. 17

Boards of elections may begin official canvass of Nov. 6 general election ballots (11 days after general election)

R.C. 3505.32(opens in a new window)

Nov. 21

Boards of elections must begin official canvass of Nov. 6 general election ballots no later than this date (15 days after general election)

R.C. 3505.32(opens in a new window)

Nov. 27

Boards of elections must complete canvass of Nov. 6 general election ballots no later than this date (21 days after general election)

R.C. 3505.32(opens in a new window)

Dec. 13

Last day for local option petitioners to send street listing to Division of Liquor Control (55 days before Feb. 6, 2019 deadline for filing petitions for May 7, 2019 primary election)

Jan. 1

Applications for absentee ballots for all 2019 elections may be accepted (first day of the year)

R.C. 3509.03(opens in a new window), 3511.02(opens in a new window)

Jan. 6

Nov. 6, 2018 general election ballots, except for federal office, may be discarded unless ordered held by a court or the Secretary of State (61 days after general election)

Jan. 7

Last day for local option petitioners seeking to sell at community facility to send street listing to Division of Liquor Control (30 days before Feb. 6, 2019 deadline for filing petitions for May 7, 2019 primary election)

Application for a recount must be filed not later than 5 days after official results are declared

R.C. 3515.02(opens in a new window)

A petition contesting an election must be filed in the appropriate court within 15 days after the official results are declared or, if a recount of the election is conducted, within 10 days after the official results of a recount are declared