Martin County Announces Absentee Voting Deadlines for May Primary

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Martin County Clerk's Office has announced important deadlines for the upcoming May 5, 2026 Primary Election. Residents can now submit applications for absentee ballots by mail, which must be received by April 23. In-person early voting will be available at the Martin County Courthouse in Shoals from April 7 to May 4, with additional weekend hours on April 25 and May 2.

Why it matters

Ensuring voters have clear information about registration and absentee voting deadlines is crucial for maintaining high voter participation, especially for primary elections which often have lower turnout than general elections.

The details

For the May 5 primary, voters must select either a Republican or Democratic ballot on their absentee ballot application and include their driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. In-person early voting will be available at the Martin County Courthouse Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the courthouse will also be open for voting on the two Saturdays prior to Election Day.

• Absentee ballot applications are now being accepted and must be submitted by April 23.
• Absentee ballots will begin being mailed out on March 20.
• In-person early voting will run from April 7 to May 4.
• The Martin County Courthouse will be open for early voting on April 25 and May 2 from 8 a.m. to noon.

What’s next

Residents are encouraged to check their voter registration status and apply for absentee ballots as soon as possible to ensure their votes are counted in the May 5 primary election.