Columbus, Ohio – Residents of the Buckeye State will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, for the 2026 midterm election. The following guide outlines where to vote, what identification is required, and the major contests Ohioans will decide.
Polling locations and hours
All Ohio polling places open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. Voters who are in line by the closing time will be allowed to cast their ballot. Unlike Indiana’s vote‑center system, Ohio voters must vote at the precinct assigned to their residential address; they cannot choose any location within the county.
Voters can locate their assigned polling place, verify registration status and view sample ballots on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website or by contacting their county board of elections.
Photo‑ID requirement
Ohio law requires a valid, unexpired government‑issued photo ID for in‑person voting. Acceptable forms include an Ohio driver’s license, state‑issued photo ID, U.S. passport or passport card, and qualifying military or veteran identification. Expired IDs, utility bills, bank statements and out‑of‑state driver’s licenses are not accepted.
Voters who forget or lack an acceptable ID may cast a provisional ballot. They have until Saturday, Nov. 7 to provide a valid ID to their county board of elections. Certain exceptions apply, such as for voters with religious objections to being photographed.
Key races on the ballot
The governor’s race pits Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamy against Democrat Amy Acton, both seeking to succeed term‑limited Governor Mike DeWine. In the U.S. Senate contest, Republican incumbent Jon Husted faces Democratic challenger Sherrod Brown.
Voters will also choose candidates for attorney general, secretary of state, state auditor and state treasurer. All 99 seats in the Ohio House of Representatives and half of the state Senate are up for election, along with numerous congressional and local offices.
State Issue 3 – Voter‑ID amendment
Ohioans will vote on State Issue 3, a proposed constitutional amendment that would embed the existing photo‑ID requirement for in‑person voting into the state constitution. The amendment would not change which IDs are currently acceptable, but it would require any future changes to the requirement to be approved by a constitutional amendment rather than ordinary legislation.
Additional ballot items
Local races, school levies and other ballot questions will vary by precinct. Voters are encouraged to review their specific sample ballot on VoteOhio.gov to see the full slate of measures affecting their community.
Where to find more information
For detailed information on identification requirements, polling locations and sample ballots, visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s website or call your county board of elections. Election results are expected to begin reporting after polls close at 7:30 p.m.
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
