Early Voting Begins Tuesday Ahead of May 5 Primary Election
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (April 7, 2026) – Early voting for the May 5 primary election begins today in Tuscarawas County, giving voters the opportunity to cast ballots ahead of Election Day in a contest that includes several contested races and multiple local tax issues.
According to Board of Elections Director David Johnson, in-person early voting will take place at the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections office, located at 933 East High Street in New Philadelphia. Voting hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
Extended hours will be offered during the week leading up to the election, along with weekend voting on Saturday and Sunday immediately before Election Day. The final day for early voting will be Sunday, May 3.
Johnson expects a moderate turnout for the primary, which will determine which candidates advance to the November general election.
Locally, contested Republican primaries include races for county auditor and U.S. Congress. On the Democratic side, voters will decide contested primaries for the State House, U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate. Several state-level races across Ohio are also contested this election cycle.
In addition to candidate races, voters will weigh in on several tax-related issues. New Philadelphia residents will be asked to consider a proposed 1.5 percent income tax to fund new school construction. Newcomerstown and the village of Tuscarawas are also seeking new tax measures, while several other municipalities — along with the Dover Public Library — are requesting renewals of existing property taxes.
More information on early voting hours, ballot issues and polling locations is available through the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections.