Voting Information:
Primary Election, May 5, 2026

Register to Vote

Make sure you’re registered to vote no later than 30 days before an election. Find all relevant dates and more on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.

On the Ohio Secretary of State’s website, you can:

• Check your voter status

• Update your voter information

• Check voter I.D. requirements

• Register to vote using the Secretary of State’s online voter registration system or by completing a paper form and delivering it to the Athens County Board of Elections.

You can also register to vote by visiting the Athens County Board of Elections. Remember to bring your driver’s license or Ohio identification card, and be prepared to share the last 4 digits of your social security number.

For questions, contact:
The Athens County Board of Elections
15 South Court Street, #130
Athens, OH 45701
(740) 592-3201
Athens County Board of Elections website

Next Election:
Ohio Primary on May 5, 2026

The next opportunity for Athens County voters will be the Ohio primary election on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. This primary will include Democratic contests for federal, state, and local offices, as well as important measures on the ballot.​

2026 Primary Election Details for Athens County

• Primary Election Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026​

• Voter Registration Deadline: Monday, April 7, 2026, is expected to be the deadline to register to vote in time for the primary.​

• Ballot: Democratic voters will help select nominees for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Ohio Governor, state legislative seats, and multiple local offices, including Athens City Council and Athens City Treasurer.​

• Local Issues: The ballot may also include local tax levies, bond issues, and school levy renewals relevant to Athens County communities.​

• Who May Vote: Any registered voter in Ohio can choose to vote in the Democratic primary, regardless of their previous party affiliation.​

For more about candidates, the issues, voter registration, and upcoming events, visit the Athens County Board of Elections or contact the Athens Dems directly at info@athensdems.org. Stay tuned for updates and more information on this website. Look for our updates throughout the year, on our Events page and through our newsletter, and then mark your calendars to make your voice heard for our community’s future.​

Absentee Voting by Mail

All Ohio voters whose registration information is up-to-date can vote by absentee ballot – you do not have to give a reason. You can request your absentee ballot by:

• Visiting the Athens County Board of Elections office at 15 South Court Street #130, Athens; OR

• Printing and mailing an Absentee Ballot Request Form; OR

• Emailing the Athens County Board of Elections at athens@ohiosos.gov and asking to be sent an Absentee Ballot Request Form. Include your name, mailing address, contact information, and number of applications needed; OR

• Calling the Athens County Board of Elections at (740) 592-3201 and asking them to mail you a form. Include your name, mailing address, contact information, and the number of applications needed.

Once you receive the Absentee Ballot Request Form, please fill it out and mail it to the Athens County Board of Elections OR place it in the drive-up ballot drop box located on the left-side curb of Court Street near the Athens County Board of Elections. NOTE: If you are unable to mail your absentee ballot or take it to the drop box yourself, a near relative* may deliver your ballot to the county board of elections but will be required to complete an attestation form. Per the Ohio Secretary of State, only you may use the drop box to deposit your ballot.

In Ohio, you can track your absentee ballot here.

Absentee Voting FAQs

Q. Why is it important to submit an absentee ballot application early?

A. Submitting your application early gives the Board of Elections more time to process applications and ballots, helping to ease the workload for staff in the days leading up to an election. It also offers more time in case of any unexpected postal delays.

Q. Will absentee ballots be counted fairly?

A. Absentee voting is safe, and each ballot is counted and added to the election totals on Election Day. Plus, they provide a paper trail that no one can tamper with from afar.

Q. I forgot to mail my absentee ballot…

A. Absentee ballots not postmarked and mailed on time may be personally delivered by you or a near relative* to the Athens County Board of Elections at 15 South Court Street, Athens before 7:30 PM on Election day. If you do not vote your absentee ballot and instead decide to go to your assigned polling place on Election Day, you must vote a provisional ballot.

*Near relative includes the voter’s spouse or the voter’s father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, grandfather, grandmother, brother, sister, son, daughter, adopting parent, adopted child, stepparent, stepchild, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece.