Press Release – Absentee/Early Voting
April 1, 2021
Paulette Hankins, Director of Elections and Jane Zimmermann, Deputy Director
Absentee/Early voting will commence Tuesday April 6th, 2021, either by mail or in person at the Richland County Board of Elections, 1495 W. Longview Ave., in the lower level classroom. The closest entrance is in the back of the Longview Center by the “Vote Here” sign and flag. If you enter through the front entrance, you must take the stairs or elevator down to the lower level. Those who have requested absentee ballots by mail will have their ballot mailed out starting April 6th. Absentee applications to vote by mail are available by going online to: https://www.richlandcountyoh.gov/departments/public_administration/board_of_elections/absentee_voting.php or by calling the office at 419.774.5530 to have a request form mailed to you.
Early Voting for May 4th, 2021 Primary/Special Election Longview Center, 1495 W. Longview Ave. (use rear, lower level parking area, southwest door) Lower Classroom –
Starting April 6th, 2021; April 6th through April 23rd • 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on each weekday
April 26th through April 30th • 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on each weekday
May 1st - Saturday • 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
May 2nd - Sunday • 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
May 3rd - Monday • 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
May 4th – Election Day • Polls Open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Voters in the City of Mansfield may request a Republican or an Issues Only ballot. No Democratic ballot is available since those candidates were unopposed and nominated on through to the General without a Primary. Voters in the City of Ontario will only have the Charter Issue and Charter candidates on their ballot. Their only choice is an Issues Only ballot. Voters in the Village of Cass and the Village of Plymouth, and Washington Township will only have an issue on their ballots, and therefore, will be given an Issues Only ballot. No other precincts in Richland County will be open for voting on May 4th, 2021. The only procedure available under Ohio Election Laws to change your party affiliation is to request the party’s ballot in a Primary. It does not matter which party a voter is currently affiliated with in their voter registration records. The voter simply states to the poll worker which ballot they want to cast for that Election.