PROCLAMATION

NOTICE OF PRIMARY ELECTION

R.C. 3501.03

The Mercer County Board of Elections issues this Proclamation and Notice of Election

A Primary Election will be Held on Tuesday, the Fifth Day of May 2026

at the usual places of holding elections in each and every precinct in MERCER COUNTY, OHIO, for the purpose of nominating party candidates for the following offices: Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Auditor of State, Secretary of State, Treasurer of State, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative to Congress, Justices of the Supreme Court, Judge of the Court of Appeals, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, State House of Representatives, County Coroner, and the election of Democrat and Republican State and County Central Committee Members, and the following local questions and issues:

Proposed Tax Levy

(Renewal)

Mercer County

A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.

A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Children Services Division of the Mercer County Department of Job and Family Services, Mercer County, Ohio to provide an adequate amount for operating or capital improvement expenditure necessary for the support of children services and the care and placement of children for the following period of time: 10 years. The county auditor estimates will collect $487,214 annually, at a rate not exceeding 0.4 mill for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $9 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value, for 10 years, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027. 

Local Liquor Option for Sunday Sales

Particular Use at Business Location

 (By Petition)

Celina A

A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.

Shall the sale of wine and mixed beverages, and spirituous liquor be permitted for sale on Sunday by Grand Entertainment, LLC dba Plaza Lanes Celina an applicant for a D6 liquor permit authorizing on/off premise sales who is engaged in the business of a bowling alley with a full-service restaurant at 114 E. Forest St. Celina, OH 45822 in this precinct?

Proposed Tax Levy

(Renewal)

Parkway Local School District

A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.

A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Parkway Local School District, counties of Mercer, Van Wert and Auglaize, Ohio for the purpose of current expenses that the county auditor estimates will collect $1,390,689 annually, at a rate not exceeding 8.97 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $185 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value, for 5 years, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027.

Proposed Tax Levy

(Renewal)

Minster Local School District

A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.

A renewal of a tax for the benefit of the Minster Local School District for the purpose of permanent improvements, to improve and maintain sites, to remodel, and repair plant facilities and to acquire and replace equipment, that the county auditor estimates will collect $90,423 annually, at a rate not exceeding 1.05 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $12 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value, for five years, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027.

The Polls for the Election will be open at 6:30 a.m. and remain open until 7:30 p.m. on said day.

By order of the Board of Elections

Mercer County, Ohio 

Phil Long, Chairman

Kristi Rable, Director

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VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE NOTICE

Mercer County Board of Elections

Mercer County Courthouse 

101 N. Main Street Room 107, Celina, Ohio 45822

Phone: 419-586-2215

E-mail: Mercer@Ohio.SOS.Gov

The registration deadline for May 5, 2026 Primary/Special Election is April 6. As required by law, those who plan to exercise their right to vote in the May 5, 2026, Primary/Special Election must be registered to vote at least 30 days before the election. Registration forms can be obtained at the Board of Elections and are also available at the authorized agencies listed below during their regular business hours.

Authorized Registering Agencies

All Public High Schools, Libraries, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, County Treasurer, and Dept. of Human Services.

Voters may update their registration address or register for the first time online at: www.VoteOhio.Gov

Qualifications to Vote in the Election

• Must be a US citizen.

• Must be 18 years of age on or before November 3, 2026 (General Election).

• Must be a resident of Ohio for 30 days prior to the election.

• Must be registered to vote at least 30 days prior to the election.

• Must not have been declared incompetent for voting purposes by a Probate Court.

• Must not be currently incarcerated for a felony conviction.

Voting Schedule

• Early In-Person Voting begins April 7 in the Courthouse Auditorium 

• Absentee Voting by Mail begins April 7 and ends April 28

• Election Day: May 5 (Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.)

Early in Person Voting Hours

April 7- April 24 (M-F): 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

April 27- May 1 (M-F): 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tuesday, April 28: 7:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 2: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sunday, May 3: 1 p.m.-5 p.m.

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