While Nov. 3 is Election Day, there are, nationwide, millions of ballots that will be cast days in advance — some absentee, others in person. And in Ohio, it’s not long before voters begin making use of both options.
Tuesday, Oct. 6: Early voting starts, absentee ballots begin to be mailed out
While citizens currently abroad, including military members, had their absentee ballots sent out days ago, Oct. 6 is the day when domestic ballots begin to be mailed. If you’ve yet to request an absentee ballot, but need to, you must first fill out an application.
You can request the application form from your county board of elections, by phone, and have them mail it to you. There’s also the option to fill it out online — and from there — print, sign, and return it by mail.
- Oct. 27 at 8:30 p.m. is the deadline for absentee ballot applications to be received by county board of elections offices.
- Absentee ballots themselves must be returned by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day (with the exception of those from military members and citizens abroad).
- Ways of returning an absentee ballot include by mail, leaving it in your county’s secure drop box, or handing it to an official at your county’s board of elections office.
Also on Oct. 6, early in-person voting begins in the Buckeye State. For the first week, polls will be open Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours do vary week-to-week, which is why it’s best to check out the Ohio Secretary of State’s 2026 Voting Calendar.
While, on Election Day, in-person voting is done at one’s designated polling location, that is not the case for early voting — which, instead, takes place at your county’s early vote location. If you’re unsure of where that is, this interactive tool can provide you an answer in seconds.
What’s on the ballot?
While midterm elections typically have lower turnout than those in presidential years, that doesn’t take away from their importance. This year, for instance, Ohio will be electing a new governor, attorney general, secretary of state, auditor, and treasurer for the first time in eight years. However, those who currently hold these positions — with the exception of governor and AG — are running for different state-level offices.
RELATED: Click here for the Toledo Free Press’ interviews with the Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian nominees for Ohio Secretary of State.
Ohioans will also determine who finishes out the term of JD Vance, who – after becoming vice president – left a vacant U.S. Senate seat. That senate seat is currently occupied by former Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, who was appointed by outgoing Governor Mike DeWine. While Husted is running to remain in the seat, former Senator Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, is hoping to replace him.
Seats in the House of Representatives are on the ballot, too — including that of Ohio’s 9th Congressional District — currently held by Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo). Kaptur faces a rematch from Republican Derek Merrin, who she narrowly defeated in 2024. This year, the majority-Republican Ohio Redistricting Commission — as part of a legally-required mid-decade redistricting process — redrew Kaptur’s district, as well as that of Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Cincinnati), to be even redder. As a result, 12 of Ohio’s 15 congressional districts are now Republican-leaning, three Democratic-leaning, and two tossups (Kaptur and Landsman’s).
Voters will also be electing their state legislators this year. All 99 seats in the Ohio House of Representatives are up for grabs.
RELATED: Click here for the Toledo Free Press’ interviews with State Rep. Erika White (D-Springfield Township) and Republican Ian Chamberlin, candidates in the 41st House District race.
Before May’s primary election, the TFP also spoke to candidates in the 44th House District race. You can find those interviews here, though keep in mind that Ed Schimmel ended up winning the Republican nomination, which narrowed the race down to him and Democrat Dave Fournier.
Also on the ballot: Issue 3 — the ballot measure that, if passed, would enshrine a voter ID requirement in the state constitution. Ohio law already requires voters to provide identification before they can cast a ballot. Proponents argue a constitutional amendment is needed to prevent future general assemblies from changing the law, while criticisms have ranged from it being something that doesn’t belong in a state’s constitution, to it being a way of juicing Republican turnout.
A final note
If you’re unsure of the status of your voter registration, or are unclear about the state or federal House district you reside in, head to VoterLookup.OhioSOS.gov.
