For May 5 Primary/Special Election
March 18, 2026

LANCASTER, Ohio – The Fairfield County Board of Elections today shared information about new Ohio laws regarding the absentee ballot submission process for the May 5, 2026, Primary/Special Election. All absentee ballots must be RECEIVED by the Fairfield County Board of Elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, regardless of postmark date or delivery method. Military and overseas ballots are exempt from this deadline.

Ballots can be hand-delivered or mailed in, but Ohio law prohibits email or faxing of ballots. To avoid mail delays, ballots can be dropped off at the Board of Elections at 951 Liberty Drive, Lancaster, Ohio 43130, in the drop box, which is available 24 hours a day starting April 7, 2026.

“Fairfield County offers three convenient ways to vote. If voters are unable to vote in person on Election Day, we highly encourage them to vote early in-person or arrange to drop their ballots off at the Board of Elections versus mailing them in. This will ensure they are delivered by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day,” said Jane Hanley, Director, Fairfield County Board of Elections.

This deadline change, the result Senate Bill 293, which was signed into law in December 2025, takes effect this month, making the May election the first time this new law will be enforced.

Voters who wish to vote absentee by mail must submit an absentee ballot application to the Board of Elections by the close of business on April 28, 2026. Applications can be downloaded, completed, and returned to the Board of Elections before the deadline.

Additionally, early in-person voting will be available beginning April 7th at the Board of Elections. Dates and hours are posted on Board’s website at www.boe.ohio.gov/fairfield.