Washington County Extends Voter Registration Deadline

Board of Elections expands hours for final day of voter registration ahead of May primary.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:53pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty voting booth in a government office, with warm sunlight streaming through the window and deep shadows cast across the room, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation around the electoral process.As the final voter registration deadline approaches, the quiet solemnity of the electoral process reflects the importance of civic engagement.Marietta Today

The Washington County Board of Elections in Ohio has announced extended hours for the final day of voter registration ahead of the May 5 primary election. Voters now have until 9 p.m. on Monday, April 6 to register in person, with the board encouraging residents to update their registration if they have moved or changed their name. Early voting will begin on April 7, with the board cautioning voters to be mindful of tighter deadlines for mail-in ballots this year.

Why it matters

Ensuring accessible voter registration is critical for maintaining high voter turnout, especially in local and state elections. The extended hours provide more flexibility for residents to participate in the democratic process ahead of an important primary.

The details

The Washington County Board of Elections will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, April 6 for in-person voter registration. Voters must bring a valid Ohio driver's license or state ID. The board is also encouraging residents to update their registration if they have moved or changed their name. Early voting will begin on April 7, with the board noting that mail-in ballots must now be received by 7:30 p.m. on election day, rather than having a few extra days after.

  • The voter registration deadline is Monday, April 6, 2026.
  • Early voting begins on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
  • The May 5, 2026 primary election is the next major election date.

The players

Washington County Board of Elections

The local election board responsible for voter registration and elections in Washington County, Ohio.

Mandy Amos

The director of the Washington County Board of Elections.

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What they’re saying

“If you're doing a mail-in ballot with us, those ballots do need to be in by 7:30 p.m. on election night. So, they used to be that you could mail them and we'd have four days to get them after the election, but that has changed, so they have to be into us on election day by 7:30 p.m.”

— Mandy Amos, Director, Washington County Board of Elections

What’s next

The Washington County Board of Elections will be open for in-person early voting from April 7 through May 3, the Sunday prior to election day.

The takeaway

This extension of voter registration hours in Washington County demonstrates the board's commitment to ensuring all eligible residents can participate in the upcoming primary election. With tighter deadlines for mail-in ballots, it's especially important for voters to be aware of registration and early voting options to make their voices heard.