Adams County Voters Head to the Polls May 5 for Ohio Primary

Two Adams County neighbors, Kelly Jones of Winchester and Alex Schaffer of Manchester, are headed toward a Republican primary showdown that will determine who appears on the November ballot for county commissioner, one of several local and statewide contests Adams County voters will decide on Tuesday, May 5.

Polls across the county open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. The commissioner seat at stake carries a term beginning January 1, 2027.

Beyond the local race, two seats on the Supreme Court of Ohio will appear on the ballot. For the seat with a term beginning January 1, 2027, voters will choose between Daniel R. Hawkins and Marilyn Zayas. The second seat, with a term beginning January 2, 2027, draws a five-candidate field: Jennifer Brunner, Andrew King, Jill Lanzinger, Ronald Lewis, and Colleen O'Donnell.

Voters not yet registered have until April 6, 2026, to get on the rolls. Registration is available online through the Ohio Secretary of State, by mail, or in person at the Adams County Board of Elections in West Union.

The May 5 primary will narrow the field ahead of the November general election, when the nominees chosen this spring will face their opponents for seats ranging from the county courthouse to the state's highest court.