Primary elections are when voters decide a party’s candidate for the upcoming general election. These are typically held in the spring for the fall election. Other issues, both state and local, may also be on a primary ballot.
Most primaries are partisan, meaning candidates from the same party are running against each other for their party’s nomination. Later, in the general election, each party’s candidates run against each other for the chance to be elected by voters.
In Ohio, you do not need to be registered with a specific political party to vote for a candidate. At the polls, the workers will ask you which party’s ballot you would like or if you only want to vote on the issues. An “issues only” ballot means that you are not voting for a primary candidate. You can view a sample ballot by checking with your local Board of Elections within 30 days of the election – https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/toolkit/sample-ballot/
Be ready to VOTE!
Remember to bring a photo ID. Valid forms of ID are listed here – https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/id-requirements/
For more information, go to https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/
