Your Vote. Your Voice. Your Ohio.
The 2026 Ohio Midterm Elections are an opportunity to help shape the future of our state and communities. Whether you're a first-time voter or simply looking to become more informed, this guide breaks down the candidates, elected offices, and ballot issues you'll see on the ballot.
Explore each section to learn about the responsibilities of each office, review candidate information, and understand the issues being considered. Our goal is to make it easier to access information, ask questions, and make an informed decision when you vote.
What is a midterm election?
Midterm elections take place halfway through a U.S. president's four-year term. During these elections, voters choose federal, state, and local representatives who help shape laws, policies, and decisions that affect their communities.
Ohio voters will decide several statewide races in November 2026, including Governor, U.S. Senate, and Ohio Supreme Court seats, along with a proposed constitutional amendment.
Ohio Races & Candidates
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The Governor serves as Ohio's chief executive and is responsible for overseeing the state's executive branch and ensuring state laws are implemented. Responsibilities include signing or vetoing legislation, issuing executive orders, proposing the state budget, and making appointments to various government positions, including public university boards of trustees.
Amy Acton is the Democratic candidate.
Vivek Ramaswamy is the Republican candidate.
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U.S. Senators represent Ohio at the federal level and participate in the legislative process. Their responsibilities include introducing, debating, and voting on federal legislation, approving presidential appointments and treaties, and representing the interests of Ohio residents in the United States Congress.
John Husted is the incumbent Republican candidate.
Sherrod Brown is the Democratic candidate.
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The Attorney General serves as Ohio's chief legal officer and provides legal counsel to state government departments, boards, and commissions. The office represents the state in legal proceedings, defends state laws, issues legal opinions, and works to enforce Ohio law.
John Kulewicz is the Democratic candidate.
Keith Faber is the Republican candidate.
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The Auditor of State is responsible for examining the financial operations of Ohio's public institutions and government entities. This includes conducting financial and performance audits of cities, counties, townships, school districts, state universities, and public libraries to promote transparency, accountability, and responsible management of public funds.
Annette Blackwell is the Democratic candidate.
Frank LaRose is the Republican candidate.
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The Secretary of State oversees election administration throughout Ohio's 88 counties and serves as the state's chief elections official. Additional responsibilities include maintaining business registration records, overseeing campaign finance reporting requirements, and supporting the administration and integrity of Ohio's elections.
Robert Sprague is the incumbent Republican candidate.
Allison Russo is the Democratic candidate.
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The Treasurer of State serves as Ohio's chief financial officer and is responsible for managing the state's financial resources. Responsibilities include collecting and safeguarding public funds, overseeing state investments, managing state debt, and ensuring the effective administration of Ohio's finances.
Seth Walsh is the Democratic candidate
Jay Edwards is the Republican candidate
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The Ohio Supreme Court is the state's highest judicial authority and consists of seven justices. As Ohio's court of last resort, it has the final authority on matters involving the interpretation of state law and the Ohio Constitution. The Court reviews significant legal cases, resolves disputes involving state law, and establishes binding legal precedents.
Race 1 Brunner vs O’Donnell
Jennifer Brunner is the incumbent Democratic candidate.
Colleen O’Donnell is the Republican candidate.
Race 2 Hawkins vs Zayas
Daniel R. Hawkins is the incumbent Republican candidate.
Marilyn Zayas is the Democrat candidate.
Issue 3
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Issue 3 is a proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution which would require voters to present photo ID when voting in person. It also will require absentee voters to provide a photo ID or signature, plus one other unique identifier authorized by law. You can vote in favor of or against this issue.
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"It’s a simple proposal that will give (voters) the opportunity to protect the foundations of our constitutional republic, that means free and fair elections." - State Representative Adam Bird
“This is an overwhelmingly popular issue among voters, and I don’t think it’s hard to understand why. Most people, for serious things — whether it’s checking into a hotel, getting onto an airplane, cashing a check, all of the things we do in our daily lives — (showing an ID) is sort of a regular thing.” - Matt Huffman
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"Our current form of photo identification and the laws that govern it are working as they were intended, yet many of my colleagues across the aisle have decided today that the urgent issue of the moment …. is to turn this existing law that is already working into a change in our constitution." - State Representative Allison Russo
"Of course, photo ID for voting is already law in Ohio. That was accomplished because of “fraud concerns” even though, here in Ohio, voter fraud happens so infrequently, is so extremely uncommon, it can statistically and accurately be framed as happening 0% of the time." - Gary Daniels
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“Require voters to present an approved form of government-issued photo identification in order to vote.”
“Allow state law to provide for an alternative method of verifying a voter’s identity for a voter who has a sincere religious objection to being photographed and, therefore, does not possess an approved form of government-issued photo identification”
“Require that voters who do not vote in person provide an approved form of government-issued photo identification, unless the law authorizes those persons to vote by providing a signature and at least one other specified unique identifier.”
“Define approved forms of government-issued photo identification as an unexpired Ohio driver license or state identification card; a United States passport or passport card; or a United States military identification card, Ohio National Guard identification card, or United States Department of Veterans Affairs identification card.”
Stay informed. Do your research. Make your voice heard.