Ohio's 2026 general election features races for Congress, the Ohio General Assembly, county offices and local courts that will help shape public policy and government services at every level.
Central Ohio voters will cast ballots this year in congressional, state legislative, county commissioner and judicial elections. Depending on where they live, voters in Franklin, Delaware and Licking counties also will decide contests for county commissioner and common pleas court judgeships.
The general election is Nov. 3, with polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters also may cast their ballots early at the Franklin County Board of Elections, 1700 Morse Road. Early in-person voting begins Oct. 6 and runs through Nov. 1. Ohioans also can vote by mail
before Election Day.
If you live in Franklin County, you can view your sample ballot by plugging in some personal information at the board of elections website. Delaware and Licking County voters can see what's on their ballots as well.
The Dispatch has assembled a guide to contested races in Franklin, Delaware and Licking counties. Links to candidate responses in those races can be found below.
Please note: This story will be updated as additional voter guide files are published. Only contested races were included in this voter guide.
Franklin County contested races
U.S. House of Representatives
- 15th Congressional District
Ohio Senate
- 3rd Ohio Senate District
Ohio House
- 10th Ohio House District
- 11th Ohio House District
Judge
- Franklin County Common Pleas Judge - Probate Division
Delaware County contested races
Ohio House
- 60th Ohio House District
Commissioner
- Delaware County Commissioner
Judge
- Delaware County Common Pleas Judge
Licking County contested races
Commissioner
- Licking County Commissioner
Judge
- Licking County Common Pleas Judge - Probate/Juvenile Division
- Licking County Common Pleas Judge - Domestic Relations Division
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Meet the candidates on your ballot for the 2026 general election
