Primary election results now certified

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has certified the official results of the May 5 primary election, marking the completion of the statewide canvass conducted by Ohio’s 88 county boards of elections.

The certified results include all eligible ballots cast on Election Day, during early in-person voting, by absentee ballot, and through provisional ballots that were properly cured within the four-day period following Election Day.

“Ohioans deserve elections that are secure, accurate, and accessible, and once again our bipartisan county boards of elections delivered,” LaRose said in a statement. “From Election Day voting to absentee and provisional ballots, every eligible vote was counted according to the law. I’m grateful to the thousands of election officials and poll workers across Ohio who helped ensure a smooth and trustworthy primary election.”

In the coming weeks, county boards of elections will finalize their post-election audits, review any discrepancies between paper and electronic tabulations, and report their findings to the Ohio Secretary of State’s office. Once all 88 counties have completed their audits,  LaRose will release the statewide audit results.

The 2026 primary election saw a significant decline in absentee ballots received after Election Day, following a change in Ohio law. In the 2024 Primary Election, 7,042 absentee ballots arrived after Election Day. Following a statewide public education campaign to communicate Ohio’s updated absentee ballot return requirements, that number fell to 1,564 in the 2026 primary election.

2026 Ohio Primary Election By the Numbers:

• Total votes cast: 1,791,152
• Total registered voters: 7,896,681
• Voter turnout: 23 percent
• Absentee ballots received after election day (not counted): 1,564
• Valid UOCAVA ballots received after election day (counted): 102