OHIO VALLEY — Election season is underway across the region as voters prepare for the 2026 primary elections.
Early in-person voting begins today, April 7, in Ohio, giving residents the opportunity to cast ballots ahead of the May 5 primary. Under current state law, completed absentee ballots must be received by local boards of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
Those voting in person must show a valid photo ID.
Under Ohio’s updated voting laws, the Monday before Election Day is no longer an early voting day. For the upcoming primary, this means that while the election falls on Tuesday, May 5, there will be no early in-person voting on Monday, May 4.
Across the river, registration for West Virginia’s primary on May 12 continues until
Tuesday, April 21. Beginning this year, voters will be required to show a photo ID at the polls. In a change from previous years, voters seeking to vote in the Republican primary must have a Republican registration on file.
