Primary Elections

Primary elections help narrow the field of candidates for the general election. In Ohio, political party officials are selected and candidates are nominated for office during the primary election.

 

Presidential-year primary elections (2008, 2012) are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March. Other primaries are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May in even-numbered years. In odd-numbered years, they are held on the date specified by the charter of the municipality holding the election.

 

Only voters who have declared their party affiliation can vote in the primary election.

 

A voter may vote only on issues which are on the ballot without declaring a party affiliation.