Butler County voters head to the polls on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, for Ohio’s partisan primary, with a ballot that mixes big-name statewide showdowns and local races that could reshape county services and tax bills. From a crowded governor’s field to a proposed levy for developmental-disability supports, there is plenty on the line.
The Secretary of State's office has certified the slate of statewide candidates who qualified for the May 5 ballot, including multiple Republican tickets for governor: Vivek Ramaswamy with Robert A. McColley, Casey Putsch with Kimberly C. Georgeton, and Heather Hill with Stuart Moats. They are joined by the Democratic ticket of Amy Acton and David Pepper. The certified list also names U.S. Senate contenders and full slates for attorney general, secretary of state, auditor, and treasurer, setting up competitive primaries across Ohio, according to the Ohio Secretary of State.
Closer to home, Butler County’s ballot features contested county seats and several judicial races. The filings show a county commission contest with Republicans Cindy Carpenter and Michael V. Ryan on the GOP side and Democrat Mike Miller on the Democratic line. Incumbent Republican Nancy Nix and Democrat Amy Hines are both on the auditor’s ballot. Precinct-level filings and races are detailed by the Journal-News and are on file with the Butler County Board of Elections.
Statewide Races To Watch
At the top of the ticket, the governor’s primary stands out for its multiple GOP tickets and national names that could boost turnout and attract outside spending. The U.S. Senate race, which lists Sherrod Brown for Democrats and Jon Husted for Republicans, is also on the May 5 ballot, along with attorney general and secretary of state contests. All of those races could have downstream effects in Butler County as local voters pick the nominees who will carry party banners into November, as reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Local Contests And The Big Levy
One countywide question to watch is a levy to fund services for people with developmental disabilities. County officials and advocates say the measure would generate roughly $26.5 million a year and cost about $70 annually per $100,000 of home value if approved. Local coverage has highlighted how that proposal intersects with recent property-value shifts and county budgeting, which helps explain why the auditor’s race will be one to follow on election night, per reporting from WLWT.
How And Where To Vote
The deadline to register to vote in Ohio for the May 5 primary is Monday, April 6. In-person early voting typically opens the following day and runs through the day before the election, according to the Ohio Secretary of State.
Butler County’s early-voting and ballot-drop location is the Butler County Board of Elections at 1802 Princeton Rd., Suite 600 in Hamilton. Voters can view sample ballots and find their polling places on the county elections site at electionlink.bcohio.gov.
