Cleveland 2026 voter guide: Key races, ballot issues and deadlines
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The Nov. 3 midterm election is fast approaching, so here's what to know about your ballot in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.
🗳️ How to vote
The big picture: Early in-person voting continues through Sunday, Nov. 1.
- Schedule and where to go.
- Absentee ballots (by mail or drop off) must be received by your board of election by 7:30pm Nov. 3.
Election Day voting is 6:30am-7:30pm Nov. 3.
- Voters must bring a valid photo ID.
- Find your polling place … what's on your ballot.
👀 Governor's race
This fiercely contested showdown features Republican entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton, the state's former health director.
Why it matters: The election will determine whether Ohio continues its run of Republican leadership or elects a Democrat for the first time since Ted Strickland in 2006.
The big picture: Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and former presidential candidate from Cincinnati, is campaigning on deregulation and conservative education reforms.
- Acton, who became a household name as the initial face of Ohio's pandemic response, is emphasizing affordability, public education and health care.
Friction point: The race has received national attention for a controversial Ramaswamy ad involving Acton's estranged mother, which has received fierce bipartisan backlash.
📢 Senate race
Republican Sen. Jon Husted seeks to fend off former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in a race with big implications and huge amounts of money being spent on campaign ads.
Why it matters: The race may determine control of the Senate. A good showing from Brown could return Ohio to swing-state status in 2028.
State of play: Data center opposition and transgender rights are issues that have defined the race, which is considered to be a toss-up.
🌰 Other statewide offices
Ohio voters will also choose who oversees state elections, finances, law enforcement and the state's highest court.
- Attorney general: Republican Keith Faber faces Democrat John Kulewicz for the state's top legal office.
- Secretary of state: Republican Robert Sprague, Democrat Allison Russo and Libertarian Tom Pruss are vying to become Ohio's chief elections officer.
- Auditor: Republican Frank LaRose faces Democrat Annette Blackwell for the office responsible for auditing public spending.
- Treasurer: Republican Jay Edwards, a former state representative, faces Cincinnati City Council member Seth Walsh, a Democrat, to oversee state investments and finances.
- Ohio Supreme Court: Sitting Republican Justice Daniel Hawkins faces Democratic Judge Marilyn Zayas, while sitting Democratic Justice Jennifer Brunner faces Republican Judge Colleen O'Donnell.
💵 Cuyahoga County ballot issues
Cuyahoga County voters will face five ballot issues with big implications for the county's finances and operations.
Issue 10: A new 2.25-mill levy for developmental disability services would cost homeowners about $79 annually per $100,000 in property value.
Issue 11: A renewal and increase of the county's health and human services levy would fund child welfare, senior services, MetroHealth and more.
- The increase would cost homeowners an additional $87.50 annually (for a total of $196) per $100,000 in value.
Issue 12: Would require county council approval before the county executive could remove appointed board members, including those overseeing MetroHealth and RTA.
Issue 13: Would clarify responsibilities between the county law department and prosecutor, generally assigning legal advice and contracts to the former and courtroom litigation to the latter.
Issue 14: Would give County Council direct appointment authority over four of nine seats on the Charter Review Commission, which reconvenes in 2027.
🔎 Local races
7th Congressional District: Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) is running for reelection against Democratic challenger Brian Poindexter, an ironworker and former Brook Park council member.
- Miller has rejected calls to resign and drop out of the race, publicly denying allegations he abused his ex-wife and their young daughter.
County Council: Six seats (Districts 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11) are on the ballot this year.
- An interesting race is unfolding in District 5, where Democrat Courtney Scheff is trying to oust Republican incumbent Michael Gallagher.
- Scheff is backed by County Executive Chris Ronayne. Gallagher has long butted heads with Ronayne and is the last remaining Republican on the body.
🪪 Ohio Issue 3
Ohio voters will decide whether to approve photo ID requirements at the polls as a constitutional amendment, making existing voting rules harder to change.
Why it matters: Ohio already requires photo ID to vote in person, but Issue 3 would enshrine that requirement in the state constitution — limiting lawmakers' ability to eliminate it while leaving some implementation details to state law.