Calendar

2009 Ohio Election Calendar
Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner
2009 Event R.C. Reference
January 1 Applications for absentee ballots for 2009 elections may be accepted (first day of the year) 3509.03, 3511.02
January 5 Last day for local option petitioners to send street listings to Division of Liquor Control (45 days before Feb. 19 deadline for filing petitions) 4301.33, 4305.14
*January 5 Deadline for voter registration for Feb. 3 special election (30 days before the election) 3503.19
January 14 Committees advocating or opposing ballot issues must file by 4 p.m. to be recognized as a committee to appoint observers (20 days before the election) 3505.21
January 23 Deadline for political parties, groups of candidates and issue committees to file notice of observer appointments (11 days before the election) 3505.21
January 24
  1. Boards of elections must give public notice of election (10 days before the election)
  2. Boards of elections must submit verification forms for handicapped accessible parking and handicapped accessible polling locations to the Secretary of State's offi ce by this date (no later than 10 days before the election)
  1. 3501.03
  2. 3501.29, Secretary of State Directive 2008-44
January 31 Applications by mail for absentee ballots for February 3 special election must be received by the boards of elections by noon (3 days before the election) 3509.03, .031, .08, 3511.02
February 2
  1. Absentee ballots may be voted in person at boards of elections until close of regular business hours (day before the election)
  2. Militia on active duty may file applications in person for absentee ballots by 4 p.m. (day before the election)
  3. Amendments to observer appointments must be filed by 4 p.m. (day before the election)
  1. 3509.03, 3511.10
  2. 3509.031
  3. 3505.21
February 3
  1. Special Elections may be held
  2. Voter, or voter's minor child, hospitalized because of medical emergency, voter may apply for absentee ballots until 3 p.m
  3. Armed Services absentee voter may apply and vote in person at board of elections offi ce until close of polls
  4. Absentee ballots, returned in person, must be received by the boards of elections by close of polls
  1. 3501.01
  2. 3509.08
  3. 3511.10
  4. 3509.05, 3511.11
February 4 Constitutional amendments proposed by joint resolution of General Assembly to be filed with Secretary of State by this date (90 days before the primary election) OH Const. XVI,§1, 3501.02
February 13
  1. Absentee ballots returned by U.S. Mail from within the United States must be postmarked not later than February 2 and received by boards of elections by this date to be counted (10 days after the election)
  2. Out-of-country civilian absentee ballots must be postmarked or signed on or before close of polls on February 3 and received by boards of elections by this date to be counted (10 days after the election)
  3. Out-of-country armed service absentee ballots must be signed on or before close of polls on February 3 and received by boards of elections by this date to be counted (10 days after the election)
  1. 3509.05
  2. 3509.05
  3. 3511.11
February 19
  1. Declarations of candidacy for partisan candidates must be filed by 4 p.m. (75 days before the primary)
  2. Local questions and issues for primary election, including local option petitions, must be certifi ed to or filed with boards of elections by 4 p.m. (75 days before the election)
  1. 3513.05
  2. 731.28,.29, 3501.02, 4301.331, .332, .333, .334, 4305.14
February 26
  1. Boards of elections must certify the validity and suffi ciency of partisan candidates' petitions (68 days before the primary)
  2. Boards of elections must certify the validity and suffi ciency of local option petitions (68 days before the election)
  1. 3513.05
  2. 4305.14
March 2
  1. Protests against partisan candidates' petitions must be filed by 4 p.m. (64 days before the primary)
  2. Protests against local option petitions must be filed by 4 p.m. (64 days before the election)
  1. 3513.05
  2. 4301.33, .331, .332, .333, .334, 4305.14
March 4 Write-in candidates for primary must file declarations of intent by 4 p.m. (62 days before the election) 3513.041
March 6
  1. Form of official ballots must be certified by Secretary of State to boards of elections (60 days before the primary)
  2. Board of elections of most populous county of a multi-county subdivision must certify names of candidates to other boards of elections (60 days before the election)
  3. Boards of elections must schedule a program for instruction of polling place officials (within 60 days before the election)
  1. 3513.05
  2. 3513.05
  3. 3513.27
March 9 Protests against write-in candidates must be filed by 4 p.m. (57 days before the election) 3513.041
March 24 Boards of elections shall advertise in newspaper(s) the places, dates, times, qualifi cations, and methods for voter registration (six weeks before the election) 3503.12
March 31 Primary election absentee ballots must be ready (35 days before the election) 3509.01, 3511.04
April 5 February 3, 2009 special election ballots may be discarded, except for federal office, unless ordered held by a court or the Secretary of State (61 days after election) 3505.31, 42 USC 1974
*April 6 Deadline for voter registration for primary election (30 days before the election) 3503.19
April 15
  1. Corrections and challenges to precinct registration lists may be filed (20 days before election)
  2. Committees advocating or opposing ballot issues must file by 4 p.m. to be recognized as a committee to appoint observers (20 days before the election)
  3. Deadline for an elector to challenge qualification of another elector (20 days before the election)
  1. 3503.24
  2. 3505.21
  3. 3505.19
April 21 Boards of elections shall prepare precinct voter registration lists (14 days before the election) 3503.23
April 24 Deadline for political parties, groups of candidates and issue committees to file notice of observer appointments (11 days before the election) 3505.21
April 25
  1. Boards of elections must give public notice of election (10 days before the election)
  2. Boards of elections must submit verification forms for handicapped accessible parking and handicapped accessible polling locations to the Secretary of State's office by this date (no later than 10 days before the election)
  1. 3501.03
  2. 3501.29, Secretary of State Directive 2008-44
*April 27 Certificate to fill vacancy on ballot caused by death of candidate whose name is on primary ballot in more than one county must be filed by 4 p.m. (10 days before election) 3513.30
April 30 Certificate to fill vacancy on ballot caused by death of candidate whose name is on ballot in one county must be filed by 4 p.m. (fi ve days before election) 3513.30
May 2 Applications by mail for absentee ballots must be received by boards of elections by noon (three days before the election) 509.03, .031, .08, 3511.02
May 4
  1. Nominating petitions of independent candidates for offices for which a primary election may be held must be fi led by 4 p.m. (day before the election)
  2. Amendments to observer appointments must be filed by 4 p.m. (day before the election)
  3. Militia on active duty may file applications in person for absentee ballots by 4 p.m. (day before the election)
  4. Absentee ballots may be voted in person at boards of elections until close of regular business hours (day before the election)
  1. 3513.257
  2. 3505.21
  3. 3509.031
  4. 3509.03
May 5
  1. Primary Election Day. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  2. Voter, or voter's minor child, hospitalized because of medical emergency, voter may apply for absentee ballots until 3 p.m.
  3. Armed Services absentee voter may apply and vote in person at board of elections office until close of polls
  4. Absentee ballots, returned in person, must be received by the boards of elections by close of polls
  1. 3501.01, .32
  2. 3509.08
  3. 3511.10
  4. 3509.05, 3511.11
May 15
  1. Absentee ballots returned by U.S. Mail from within the United States must be postmarked not later than May 4 and received by boards of elections by this date to be counted (10 days after election)
  2. Out-of-country civilian absentee ballots must be postmarked or signed on or before close of polls on May 5 and received by boards of elections by this date to be counted (10 days after the election)
  3. Out-of-country armed service absentee ballots must be signed on or before close of polls on May 5 and received by boards of elections by this date to be counted (10 days after the election)
  1. 3509.05
  2. 3509.05
  3. 3511.11
May 16 Boards of elections may begin official canvass of ballots (11 days after the election) 3513.22
May 20 Boards of elections must begin official canvass of ballots no later than this date (15 days after the election) 3513.22
May 21 Local questions and issues for August 4 special elections must be certified to boards of elections by 4 p.m. (75 days before the election) 3501.01, .02
May 26 Boards of elections must complete canvass of ballots no later than this date (21 days after the election) 3513.22
June 15 Board of elections of most populous county of a district located in more than one county must transmit petitions of independent candidates to other boards of elections 3513.262
June 26 Boards of elections shall advertise in newspaper(s) the places, dates, times, qualifications, and methods for voter registration (six weeks before special election) 3503.12
July 1 Constitutional amendments or laws proposed by initiative petitions to be submitted directly to the voters must be filed with Secretary of State by this date (125 days before the election) OH Const. II,§1a and §1b; 3501.02
July 5 Primary election ballots may be discarded, except for federal office, unless ordered held by a court or the Secretary of State (61 days after election) 3505.31, 42 USC 1974
*July 6 Deadline for voter registration for August 4 special election (30 days before the election) 3503.19
July 6 Last day for local option petitioners to send street listing to Division of Liquor Control (45 days before Aug. 20 deadline for filing petitions) 4301.33, 4305.14
July 15
  1. Boards of elections must certify independent candidate petitions
  2. Committees advocating or opposing ballot issues must file by 4 p.m. to be recognized as a committee to appoint observers (20 days before the election)
  1. 3513.262
  2. 3505.21
July 24 Deadline for political parties, groups of candidates and issue committees to file notice of observer appointments (11 days before the election) 3505.21
July 25
  1. Boards of elections must give public notice of election (10 days before the election)
  2. Boards of elections must submit verification forms for handicapped accessible parking and handicapped accessible polling locations to the Secretary of State's office by this date (no later than 10 days before the election)
  1. 3501.03
  2. 3501.29, Secretary of State Directive 2008-44
July 30 Protests against nominating petitions must be filed by 4 p.m. 3513.262
August 1 Applications by mail for absentee ballots for August 4 special election must be received by noon (three days before the election) 3509.03, .031, .08, 3511.02
August 3
  1. Absentee ballots may be voted in person at boards of elections until close of regular business hours (day before the election)
  2. Militia on active duty may fi le applications in person for absentee ballots by 4 p.m. (day before the election)
  3. Amendments to observer appointments must be filed by 4 p.m. (day before the election)
  1. 3509.03
  2. 3509.031
  3. 3505.21
August 4
  1. Special Elections may be held
  2. Voter, or voter's minor child, hospitalized because of medical emergency, voter may apply for absentee ballots until 3 p.m.
  3. Armed Services absentee voter may apply and vote in person at board of elections office until close of polls
  4. Absentee ballots, returned in person, must be received by the boards of elections by close of polls
  1. 3501.01
  2. 3509.08
  3. 3511.10
  4. 3509.05, 3511.11
August 5 Constitutional amendments proposed by joint resolution of General Assembly to be filed with Secretary of State by this date (90 days before the election) OH Const. XVI, §1; 3501.02
August 14
  1. Absentee ballots returned by U.S. Mail from within the United States, must be postmarked not later than August 3 and received by boards of elections by this date to be counted (10 days after election)
  2. Out-of-country civilian absentee ballots must be postmarked or signed on or before close of polls on August 4 and received by boards of elections by this date to be counted (10 days after the election)
  3. Out-of-country armed service absentee ballots must be signed on or before close of polls on August 4 and received by boards of elections by this date to be counted (10 days after the election)
  1. 3509.05
  2. 3509.05
  3. 3511.11
August 19 Political party or independent candidate's nominating committee must certify name of person to fill vacancy on ballot caused by withdrawal of candidate by 4 p.m. (76 days before the election) 3513.31
August 20
  1. Nominating petitions of candidates in nonpartisan races must be filed by 4 p.m. (75 days before the election)
  2. Local questions and issues for general election, including local option petitions, must be certified to or filed with boards of elections by 4 p.m. (75 days before the election)
  1. 3513.251, .253, .254, .255, .28
  2. 731.28, .29, 3501.02, 4301.33, .331, .333, .334, 4305.14
August 27
  1. Boards of elections must certify the validity and sufficiency of candidates' petitions in nonpartisan races (68 days before the election)
  2. Boards of elections must certify the validity and sufficiency of local option petitions (68 days before the election)
  1. 3513.263
  2. 4301.33, .331, .332, .333, .334, 4305.14
August 31
  1. Protests against candidates' petitions in nonpartisan races must be filed by this date (64 days before the election)
  2. Protests against local option petitions must be filed by 4 p.m. (64 days before the election)
  1. 3513.263
  2. 4301.33, .331, .332, .333, .334, 4305.14
September 2 Write-in candidates must file declarations of intent by 4 p.m. (62 days before the election) 3513.041
September 4
  1. Form of official ballots must be certified by Secretary of State to boards of elections (60 days before the election)
  2. Board of elections of most populous county of a multi-county subdivision must certify names of all candidates for general election ballot to other boards of elections (60 days before the election)
  3. Boards of elections must schedule a program for instruction of polling place officials (within 60 days before the election)
  1. 3505.01
  2. 3505.01
  3. 501.27
*September 8 Protests against write-in candidates must be filed by 4 p.m. (57 days before the election) 3513.041
September 22 Boards of elections shall advertise in newspaper(s) the places, dates, times, qualifications, and methods for voter registration (six weeks before the election) 3503.12
September 29 General election absentee ballots must be ready (35 days before the election) 3509.01, 3511.04
October 4 August 4, 2009 special election ballots may be discarded, except for federal office, unless ordered held by a court or the Secretary of State (61 days after election) 3505.31, 42 USC 1974
*October 5 Deadline for voter registration for general election (30 days before the election) 3503.19
October 14
  1. Corrections and challenges to precinct registration lists may be filed (20 days before the election)
  2. Committees advocating or opposing ballot issues must fi le by 4 p.m. to be recognized as a committee to appoint observers (20 days before the election)
  3. Deadline for an elector to challenge qualification of another elector (20 days before the election)
  1. 3503.24
  2. 3505.19
October 20 Boards of elections shall prepare precinct voter registration list (14 days before the election) 3503.23
October 23 Deadline for political parties, groups of candidates and issue committees to file notice of observer appointments (11 days before the election) 3505.21
*October 24
  1. Boards of elections must give public notice of election (10 days before the election)
  2. Boards of elections must submit verification forms for handicapped accessible parking and handicapped accessible polling locations to the Secretary of State's office by this date (no later than 10 days before the election)
  1. 3501.03
  2. 3501.29, Secretary of State Directive 2008-44
*October 26 Certifi cate to fill vacancy on ballot caused by death of candidate nominated at primary election whose name is on ballot in more than one county must be filed by 4 p.m. (10 days before the election) 3513.31
October 29
  1. Certifi cate to fill vacancy on ballot caused by death of independent or nonpartisan candidate prior to Oct. 24 (10 days before the election) must be filed by 4 p.m. (five days before the election)
  2. Certifi cate to fill vacancy on ballot caused by death of candidate nominated at primary election whose name is on ballot in one county must be filed by 4 p.m. (five days before the election)
  1. 3513.31
  2. 3513.31
October 31 Applications by mail for absentee ballots must be received by boards of elections by noon (three days before the election) 3509.03, .031, .08, 3511.02
November 2
  1. Absentee ballots may be voted in person at boards of elections until close of regular business hours (day before the election)
  2. Militia on active duty may file applications in person for absentee ballots by 4 p.m. (day before the election)
  3. Amendments to observer appointments must be filed by 4 p.m. (day before the election)
  1. 3509.03
  2. 3509.031
  3. 3505.21
November 3
  1. General Election Day. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  2. Voter, or voter's minor child, hospitalized because of medical emergency, voter may apply for absentee ballots until 3 p.m.
  3. Armed Services absentee voter may apply and vote in person at board of elections office until close of polls
  4. Absentee ballots, returned in person, must be received by the boards of elections by close of polls
  1. 3501.01, .32
  2. 3509.08
  3. 3511.10
  4. 3509.05, 3511.11
November 13
  1. Absentee ballots returned by U.S. Mail from within the United States must be postmarked not later than November 2 and received by boards of elections by this date to be counted (10 days after election)
  2. Out-of-country civilian ballots must be postmarked or signed before close of polls on November 3 and received by boards of elections by this date to be counted (10 days after the election)
  3. Out-of-country armed service absentee ballots must be signed on or before close of polls on November 3 and received by boards of elections by this date to be counted (10 days after the election)
  1. 3509.05
  2. 3509.05
  3. 3511.11
November 14 Boards of elections may begin official canvass of ballots (11 days after the election) 3505.32
November 18 Boards of elections must begin official canvass of ballots no later than this date (15 days after the election) 3505.32
November 24 Boards of elections must complete canvass of ballots no later than this date (21 days after the election) 3505.32
2010 Event R.C. Reference
January 1 Applications for absentee ballots for 2010 may be accepted 3509.03, 3511.02
January 3 General Election ballots from 2009, except for federal office, may be discarded unless ordered held by a court or the Secretary of State (61 days after the election) 3505.31, 42 USC 1974
January 4 Last day for local option petitioners to send street listings to Division of Liquor Control (45 days before February 18 deadline for filing petitions) 4301.33, 4305.14
*January 4 Deadline for voter registration for February 2 special election (30 days before the election) 3503.19

Note: The charter provisions in various municipalities may affect certain dates and/or requirements set forth above. Contact your county board of elections for such charter information.

* - In some instances, the statutory deadline falls on a day when the offices of the Secretary of State and boards of elections are closed. In those instances, the deadlines are extended, pursuant to R.C. 1.14, to the next succeeding day when the appropriate office is open for regular business hours. The preceding dates reflect the extended deadline.

Recounts and Election Contents
An application for a recount must be filed not later than five days after official results are declared. 3515.02
A petition contesting an election must be filed in the appropriate court within 15 days after the official results are declared or, if a recount of the election is conducted, within 10 days after the official results of a recount are declared. 3515.09
2009 Campaign Finance Reports Calendar
2009 Event R.C. Reference
January 20 Secretary of State and boards of elections must send notice to candidates required to file annual campaign finance reports 3517.11
January 30 Annual campaign finance reports must be filed by certain candidates, political action committees, caucus committees (legislative campaign funds) and political parties by 4 p.m. (last business day of January) detailing contributions and expenditures through Dec. 31, 2008 3517.10
April 13 Secretary of State and boards of elections must send notice to candidates to file pre-election campaign finance reports 3517.11
April 23 Pre-primary election campaign finance reports must be filed by candidates, political action committees, caucus committees (legislative campaign funds) and political parties by 4 p.m. (12 days before the election) detailing contributions and expenditures through April 15 (20 days before the election) 3517.10
June 2 Secretary of State and boards of elections must send notice to candidates to file post-election campaign finance reports 3517.11
June 12 Post-primary election campaign finance reports must be filed by candidates, political action committees, caucus committees (legislative campaign funds) and political parties by 4 p.m. (38 days after the election) detailing contributions and expenditures through June 5 (the seventh day before the report is filed) 3517.10
July 21 Secretary of State and boards of elections must send notice to candidates required to file semiannual campaign finance reports 3517.10
July 31 Semiannual campaign finance reports must be filed by certain candidates, political action committees, caucus committees (legislative campaign funds), and political parties by 4 p.m. last business day of July detailing contributions and expenditures through June 30, 2009 3517.10
October 12 Secretary of State and boards of elections must send notice to candidates to file pre-election campaign finance reports 3517.11
October 22 Pre-general election campaign finance reports must be filed by candidates, political action committees, caucus committees (legislative campaign funds), and political parties by 4 p.m. (12 days before the election) detailing contributions and expenditures from the last day refl ected in the previous report through October 14 (20 days before the election) 3517.10
December 1 Secretary of State and boards of elections must send notice to candidates to file post-election campaign finance reports 3517.11
December 11 Post-general election campaign finance reports must be filed by candidates, political action committees, caucus committees (legislative campaign funds), and political parties by 4 p.m. (38 days after the election) detailing contributions and expenditures through December 4 (the seventh day before the report is filed) 3517.10
2010 Event R.C. Reference
January 19 Secretary of State and boards of elections must send notice to candidates required to file annual campaign finance reports 3517.11
January 29 Annual campaign finance reports must be filed by certain candidates, political action committees, caucus committees (legislative campaign funds), and political parties by 4 p.m. (last business day of January) detailing contributions and expenditures through December 31, 2009 3517.10

2009 Ohio Election Calendar Download PDF