Tomorrow is Election Day across the United States, and here in Ohio, voters will be electing a number of important statewide and local officials, as well as deciding the fate of a number of ballot issues, both statewide and local.
The biggest draws dominating the election cycle in 2026 are the races for Governor and U.S. Senate. The Senate race is a special election to complete the unexpired term of former Senator, and now Vice President, J.D. Vance. The winner will serve out the remaining two years through 2028.
The contest pits former Lt. Governor Jon Husted, who was appointed to the seat in January 2025, against former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, who served in the Senate from 2007 through 2024, when he was defeated in his re-election campaign against current Senator Bernie Moreno.
The other major contest is the race to succeed Governor Mike DeWine. That race features candidates who are seeking their first elected office: entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and former State Health Director Dr. Amy Acton.
Ramaswamy has previously sought public office, having launched a presidential campaign in 2023, before dropping out of the race. He also briefly served as co-director of the Department of Government Efficiency under the Trump administration, however he never actually entered the role, instead leaving to launch his gubernatorial campaign.
Acton, a physician and researcher, spent time as a professor at Ohio State University before being appointed Director of the Ohio Department of Health by Governor DeWine in 2019. Acton lead the department through the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 before stepping down in June of that year.
Other Statewide Contests
Beyond the Senate and Governor’s races, all other statewide offices are also on the ballot in 2026, along with two seats on the Ohio Supreme Court. Those contests include:
Ohio Secretary of State: Robert Sprague (R) current State Treasurer vs. Alison Russo (D), a State Representative from Upper Arlington
Ohio State Treasurer: Jay Edwards (R), a former State Representative from Nelsonville vs. Seth Walsh (D), a Member of City Council from Cincinnati
Ohio Auditor of State: Frank LaRose (R), current Secretary of State vs. Annette Blackwall (D), Mayor of Maple Heights
Ohio Attorney General: Keith Faber (R), current Auditor of State vs. John Kulewicz, a member of City Council from Upper Arlington
Ohio Supreme Court: Jennifer Brunner (D), incumbent Justice vs. Colleen O’Donnell (R), a former judge on the Franklin County Common Pleas Court
Ohio Supreme Court: Dan Hawkins (R), incumbent Justice vs. Marilyn Zayas (D), a judge on the First Ohio District Court of Appeals
General Assembly Election
Ohioans will also be electing members to the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate who will make up the membership of the 137th Ohio General Assembly. The 137th General Assembly will take office in January 2027.
In the Ohio House, all 99 seats are on the ballot. Republicans currently have a supermajority of seats in the legislature, holding 64 seats to the minority Democrats, who hold 34 (one vacancy exists which was previously a Republican seat). While the majority is likely not at risk in this election, there are at least 11 battleground races which could alter the current composition of the House majority starting next year.
In the Ohio Senate, roughly half of the 33 seats are on the ballot in 2026: the odd numbered districts 1-33. Republicans hold a commanding 24-9 supermajority in the Senate, with 3 battleground races that are being closely watched.
Statewide Ballot Question to be Decided
One additional statewide contest that will appear on the ballot is State Issue 3.The proposed amendment, placed on the ballot by the state Legislature, would enshrine in the Ohio state constitution a requirement for voters to present photo identification to vote in person, as well as requiring absentee voters to provide a photo ID, or a signature plus one other unique identifier authorized by law. It would also allow for the Legislature to establish an alternative identity-verification process for voters with a sincere religious objection to being photographed.
Local Elections
Beyond state offices, Ohio voters will be electing a number of countywide offices. These elections vary by county, so be sure to check with your local board of elections to determine what will be on the ballot in your area. Most counties can expect to see some of the following offices on the ballot.
County Commissioner
County Auditor
Judicial Seats
On Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, all polling locations open at 6:30am and close at 7:30pm. If you are waiting in line when the polls close, you must be allowed to vote. State law has also been updated regarding absentee ballots. If you have requested and received a ballot, the ballot must be returned to the Board of Elections by 7:30pm on Election Day. Collection boxes are located at your local Board of Elections office and must be returned there, not to a polling location.
To learn more about where you can vote, click here.