2026 Ohio Election Guide: What Voters Need to Know Before November 3
Smart Summary
- Ohio's November 3, 2026 general election includes an open governor's race, every statewide executive office, a U.S. Senate seat, all 15 congressional seats, two Ohio Supreme Court seats, most of the General Assembly and State Issue 3.
- The 2026 Election Guide brings the candidates and endorsements from major business, trade and labor organizations into one place.
- The guide also includes a balance of power breakdown, a summary of State Issue 3 and step-by-step voting instructions.
Ohio's 2026 general election is Tuesday, November 3. Governor Mike DeWine is term-limited, so the governor's office is open for the first time since 2018, and decisions made on this ballot will shape state policy, the business climate and the balance of power in Columbus and Washington for years to come.
That is a lot to sort through, and campaign messaging rarely makes it easier. To help, the Government Affairs team at Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter has compiled the 2026 Election Guide, a nonpartisan resource that brings the candidates and endorsements from Ohio's major business, trade and labor organizations into one place.
What's on Ohio's 2026 Ballot?
Every statewide executive office is up for election, along with federal, judicial and legislative seats and one statewide ballot issue:
- Governor and Lieutenant Governor
- Attorney General, Auditor of State, Secretary of State and Treasurer of State
- One U.S. Senate seat and all 15 U.S. House seats
- Two Ohio Supreme Court seats and Ohio Court of Appeals judges
- 17 of the 33 Ohio Senate seats and all 99 Ohio House seats
- State Issue 3, a proposed constitutional amendment
Why Does Control of Each Chamber Matter?
Legislative majorities decide which bills move, who leads committees and how quickly policy changes reach employers. Republicans currently hold veto-proof majorities in both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly, which makes the legislative races worth watching regardless of who wins the governor's office. The guide breaks down how many seats each party needs to control the Ohio House, the Ohio Senate and both chambers of Congress.
What Is Ohio State Issue 3?
Issue 3 would amend the Ohio Constitution to require voters to present an approved form of government-issued photo identification. Voters who do not vote in person would also need to provide photo ID unless state law allows them to verify their identity with a signature and another unique identifier. The guide includes a summary of the amendment and links to the certified ballot language.
What's Inside the 2026 Election Guide?
- Every candidate in the federal, statewide, judicial and legislative races, listed side by side with links to their websites
- Endorsements and recognitions from business, professional trade and labor organizations
- A balance of power breakdown for Congress and the Ohio General Assembly
- A summary of State Issue 3
- Photo ID requirements and step-by-step absentee voting instructions
Download the 2026 Election Guide
What Are Ohio's Key Voting Dates?
Tuesday, October 27: Absentee ballot applications due to county boards of elections by 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 1: Early in-person voting ends
- Tuesday, November 3: Election Day 2026. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
If you are voting by mail, plan ahead. Regular absentee ballots must now reach your county board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, and ballots delivered after that deadline will not be counted, even if they were postmarked earlier. Absentee applications and county board of elections information are available at VoteOhio.gov.
Can Employees Take Time Off to Vote in Ohio?
Under Ohio Revised Code 3599.06, employers may not fire or threaten to fire an employee for taking a reasonable amount of time to vote on Election Day. Employers are encouraged to share this guide with their teams so employees have what they need to vote on every race and issue on the ballot.
Kegler Brown does not endorse candidates. This guide is intended for informational purposes only, and its focus on business-related issues may not reflect all endorsements or perspectives relevant to a candidate.
We encourage you to share the 2026 Election Guide with your management team, employees, friends and family. Questions about the guide or this year's ballot? Contact Sheila Willamowski Boehner, Tony Fiore or Steve Tugend.
