CINCINNATI — Voters in two states of the Tri-State area can head to cast their ballots Tuesday in their states' primaries.
Ohio and Indiana in-person early voting launches about a month ahead of the May 5 primary election.
Voters in Kentucky, however, will have to wait a while longer for their state's in-person early voting period, which begins on May 14.
Here's what voters need to know:
Ohio Voters
If you're registered to vote in Ohio, you can cast your ballot between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. through May 3, the Sunday before the primary election on May 5.
The only item voters in Ohio need to bring with them is an acceptable form of identification, which would include a valid Ohio driver's license or state ID card; a U.S. passport or passport card; or a military dependent ID, Ohio National Guard ID or Department of Veterans Affairs ID, according to the Ohio Secretary of State's website.
Any valid ID must include your name, photo and an unexpired expiration date.
If you forget to bring a valid photo identification, polling place officials will allow you to cast a provisional ballot, but you must then present a valid photo ID within four days for it to be counted.
Changes this year for Ohioans
This election season marks the first for some Ohio voters in newly redrawn districts. We went to the Hamilton County Board of Elections and talked with Director Sherry Poland, who told us some Hamilton County voters will not have the option to vote for their current congressional representatives as they will be in a new district going into 2027.
"About 9% of voters in Hamilton County did move, either from the 1st congressional to the 8th or from the 8th to the 1st," Poland said. "In Hamilton County, we did mail a postcard to every registered voter informing them of their precinct, their polling location and their voting districts, including their congressional districts."
Another change this year has to do with voting by mail. Under Ohio's new law, absentee ballots have to be received by the county board of elections before polls close on Election Day. Voters should be sure to request and return ballots early.
Ohio's biggest races this primary
Congressman Greg Landsman is up for re-election, facing off against fellow Cincinnati native Damon Lynch.
Potentially the most expensive race in state history is the race to replace Governor Mike DeWine. That includes three Republicans: Cincinnati native Vivek Ramaswamy, Casey Putch, and Heather Hill. The winner of the primary will go on to face Democrat Amy Acton in the general election this November.
Click here to find where to cast your early vote based on your county.
Indiana Voters
Early in-person voting is set to take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through April 24; from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from April 27 through May 1, and from 8 a.m. to noon on May 4. Polls will also be open for early in-person voting from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekend days of April 25, April 26, May 2 and May 3.
Voters will need to provide a government-issued photo ID, including either an Indiana Driver's License, a state-issued ID, military ID or a passport. If you are unable or unwilling to present an ID at the polling place, you can still cast a provisional ballot, but for it to be counted, you have until noon 10 days after the election to follow up with the county election board to provide necessary documentation or affirm one of the state's Photo ID laws applies to you.
Indiana's biggest races this primary
In Indiana, we are tracking a U.S. House and Indiana State House race.
Indiana voters will see candidates for the following races on their primary ballots: secretary of state, state comptroller, state treasurer, U.S. Representatives (all nine seats), state senator (25 of the 50 seats) and state representatives (all 100 seats).
The primary will also give voters the chance to choose candidates for circuit and superior court judges in some counties, prosecuting attorneys, sheriffs and assessors in all counties, and other county, city or town races, as well as Democratic and Republican Party state convention delegates and Democratic Party precinct committeemen.
Click here to find out where to cast your ballot based on your voter registration information.
Kentucky voters
Election Day in Kentucky is happening soon as well, but the Commonwealth will head to the polls a bit later in May.
Voters have until April 20 to register to vote. In-person absentee voting begins May 6, and early voting begins May 14 ahead of Election Day on May 19.
The biggest races people are talking about include the race to replace Senator Mitch McConnell. On the Republican side of the ticket, there are 12 candidates, and on the Democratic side, there are seven.
Another massive race features incumbent Republican Thomas Massie versus Trump-backed Ed Gallrein. On the Democratic side, Melissa Strange and Jesse Brewer are running.
Click here to find out where to cast your ballot based on your voter registration information.
