Media Center

COLUMBUS – Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted today directed county boards of elections within the 12th Congressional District of Ohio to begin preparing for the Special Congressional Primary and General Elections. The Secretary also issued the election calendar for the Special Primary Election, to be held in conjunction with the as-scheduled 2018 Primary Election on May 8, 2018, and the Special General Election, to be held on August 7, 2018. The Central Ohio seat will be vacated by United States Representative Pat Tiberi (R–Ohio) on January 15.

Among other important deadlines, the calendar includes the following:

February 7, 2018                   
Declaration of Candidacy for partisan candidates must be filed with the Franklin County Board of Elections by 4:00pm (90 days before the election)

March 24, 2018                     
Military and overseas absentee ballots for the May 8, 2018 Primary & Special Congressional Primary Election must be available (45 days before special primary).

April 9, 2018                          
Deadline to register to vote in the May 8, 2018 Primary Election & Special Congressional Primary Election (30 days before special primary)

April 10, 2018                        
All absentee voting begins for the May 8, 2018 Primary Election & Special Congressional Primary Election

May 7, 2018                           
Nominating petitions for independent candidates must be filed with the Franklin County Board of Elections by 4:00pm (one day before special primary)

May 8, 2018                        
2018 Primary Election & Special Primary Election for the 12th Congressional District

June 23, 2018                        
Military and overseas absentee ballots for August 7, 2018 Special Congressional General Election must be ready (45 days before special primary)

July 9, 2018                           
Deadline to register to vote in the August 7, 2018 Special Congressional General Election (30 days before special general)

July 10, 2018                         
All absentee voting begins for the August 7, 2018 Special Congressional General Election

August 7, 2018                   
Special Congressional General Election for the 12th Congressional District

The United States Constitution, as well as Section 3521.03 of the Ohio Revised Code, require a special election be held to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Congress. The Governor sets the dates of the special primary and general elections. Secretary Husted, in his official capacity as the state’s chief elections officer, sets the calendar and deadlines within those elections.

Additional information related to the Special Congressional Primary and General Elections is available via the links below.

Additional Information:
• 12th Congressional Special Election – Directive 2015-20
• 12th Congressional District Special Primary and General Elections Calendar
• Writ from the Governor