LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Tuesday marked the final day for voters to request an absentee ballot for the May 5 primary election, as officials remind residents of a new requirement for returning completed ballots.
Under updated rules from the Ohio Secretary of State, absentee ballots must be physically received by the voter’s local board of elections by the close of polls on Election Day. Ballots that are postmarked by May 5 but arrive late — or those placed in drop boxes after polls close — will not be counted.
Officials with the Allen County Board of Elections emphasized the importance of meeting the deadline.
Morgan Bode, executive director of the board, said, “It must be in our office by the close of polls on Election Day. So for this year, for this election, it is May 5 by 730 in the evening. Very important, if you are choosing to return your ballot by mail, please make sure you leave ample time for your ballot to be delivered by that deadline.”
The Board of Elections is offering extended hours this week for in-person absentee voting. The office is open until 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Hours for the remainder of the week are Wednesday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., when early voting concludes.
On Election Day, polls will open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.
