Salem, Ohio Public Records

The Board oversees all federal, state, county, and municipal elections for residents. Ohio voters can register online through the Ohio Secretary of State's website at www.olvr.ohiosos.gov, with registration closing 30 days before any election. Registration requires an Ohio driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. The state offers same-day registration and voting during the early voting period, which begins 28 days before Election Day, allowing unregistered eligible residents to register and cast a ballot simultaneously at the Board of Elections office. Eligibility requires U.S. Citizenship, Ohio residency for at least 30 days, and being at least 18 years old by Election Day. Municipal elections in the city cover races for Mayor, City Council (seven members representing wards and at-large seats), and City Auditor. City Council members serve four-year staggered terms. Candidates file petitions with the Columbiana County Board of Elections. Information about local candidates, ballot issues, and municipal referenda appears on the Board of Elections website and in the Salem News newspaper. Residents can locate their assigned polling place by visiting www.columbianacountyboe.com and using the "Find Your Polling Location" tool, which requires entering a residential address. Calling the Board of Elections at (330) 424-9512 is another option. Polling places throughout the city include Salem High School, Kent State Salem campus, churches, and community centers depending on precinct assignment. Under Ohio public records law, voter registration lists are available for purchase for political purposes, and precinct-level election results are posted online after each election. Campaign finance reports for local candidates must be filed with the Board of Elections and are open for public inspection. Candidate petition signatures and declarations of candidacy are also public records. The county historically leans Republican in federal elections, though local races often prove competitive between both major parties. The ballot will feature the Ohio Governor's race (Governor Mike DeWine's term expires January 2027), all Ohio constitutional offices including Attorney General, Secretary of State, Auditor, and Treasurer.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for Salem voters are published by the Ohio Secretary of State Elections (https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/). U.S. At the Columbiana County level, Columbiana County offices including County Commissioner, Sheriff, Auditor, Recorder, Clerk of Courts, and other countywide positions may be contested depending on term expirations. Salem will not have municipal elections in 2026 (those occur in odd years), but voters will decide on any county tax levies or ballot issues. Ohio offers absentee voting by mail for any voter who requests an absentee ballot. Applications are available at www.columbianacountyboe.com or by calling (330) 424-9512. Absentee ballot requests must be submitted in writing by noon on the Saturday before Election Day. Voters can also vote early in person at the Board of Elections office beginning 28 days before Election Day through the day before Election Day (no early voting on Election Day itself). Military and overseas voters have special provisions under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).