North of Cincy 2026 voter guide: Key races, ballot issues and deadlines
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The Nov. 3 general election is fast approaching, so here's what to know about your ballot in Warren 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 valid photo ID.
- Find your polling place and what's on your ballot.
💰 Big local levies
Warren County voters will decide whether to renew two property taxes supporting mental health care and services for older residents.
- Issue 6: A five-year, 1-mill renewal for the Mental Health Recovery Board serving both Warren and Clinton counties. It funds mental health and addiction treatment services and costs about $16 annually per $100,000 of home value.
- Issue 7: A five-year, 1.21-mill renewal for senior services, including programs helping older residents remain in their homes. It costs about $22 annually per $100,000 of home value.
🏛️ County commissioner race
Republican incumbent Tom Grossmann faces Democrat Ian Logan and Libertarian Katherine Bowles for a seat on the county's three-member board.
Why it matters: Commissioners oversee county spending, services and development decisions, including issues surrounding growth in one of Ohio's fastest-growing counties.
The intrigue: Grossmann, who has served since 2015, survived a Republican primary challenge from Lebanon Mayor Mark Messer earlier this year.
Where candidates stand on the issues
📍 More local races
U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Cincinnati) seeks a third term representing Ohio's 1st Congressional District, which includes Warren County. He faces Republican Eric Conroy and Libertarian Nathan Weise.
Closer to home: Warren County voters will also choose representatives for the Ohio Statehouse.
- State Senate District 7: Republican Zac Haines faces Democrat Cara Jacob.
- State House District 55: Republican incumbent Michelle Teska faces Democrat Paul Kurtz and Libertarian Philip Pirdy.
- State House District 56: Republican incumbent Adam Mathews faces Democrat Laalitya Acharya.
Warren County's full candidate list
📜 Other local issues
School funding and emergency services are also on the ballot.
- Issue 4: Franklin City School District seeks a new five-year, 1.25% earned income tax.
- Issue 5: Lebanon City School District seeks a new 10-year, 1% earned income tax.
- Issue 8: Franklin Township seeks to renew a five year, 0.25-mill senior services levy.
- Issue 9: Turtlecreek Township seeks an additional 4.5-mill property tax for fire equipment on a continuing basis.
Warren County's full issues list
👀 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.
🪪 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.