Election Day in Ohio is less than a month away. Some people may have voted early. If you haven't yet, you can plan your vote by looking at your county's ballot.
Pivotal Senate and governor races in Ohio could impact both the national and local political landscape. But who has the best chance to win on Election Day?
CNN has a new Ohio poll out showing the mood of the voters. Here's what it found:
Ohio voters disapprove of Trump's policies, according to CNN poll
Ohio, a state Trump won in the 2024 presidential election (and the two previous presidential elections), is now home to voters who disapprove of his policies, the CNN poll finds.
Based on a random sample of 760 likely voters from Ohio who were drawn either from a voter file or a probability-based panel, here's what they had to say:
- 76% agreed that Trump's policies have increased the cost of living in the state
- 69% agreed that gas prices are a moderate or severe hardship
- 58% agreed that tariffs are bad for the state
- 49% agreed that the cost of living/economy is the top issue
- 43% agreed that their finances have worsened in the past 2 years
For a state that has leaned
red for several years, Ohio voters are now torn over whether they want Democrats (52%) or Republicans (48%) in control of the Senate as the 2026 midterm elections loom.
The economy and cost of living are Ohio voters' top issues
About three-quarters of Ohio's likely voters say that Trump's policies have increased the cost of living and increased tariffs on foreign goods.
Nearly 7 out of 10 voters say gas prices have made their lives harder, and many say their finances have worsened over the past two years.
Polls shows Sherrod Brown and Jon Husted in close Senate race
CNN's poll found that former Sen. Sherrod Brown leads Sen. Jon Husted by 6 points among likely voters, but that's within the 4.5% margin of error. The poll was conducted between Sept. 29 and Oct. 5.
According to the poll, Brown is better known than Husted. However, half of voters see Brown's views as more right-leaning, while 43% think he's too liberal.
For Husted, 42% of voters believe his views and policies about right, 40% say he’s too conservative, and 16% say he's not conservative enough.
62% of Brown's supporters believe Brown is a better choice than Husted, and Husted had more anti-Brown voters (56%) than pro-Husted voters (44%).
Ohio voters who disapprove may still vote Republican
According to CNN's poll, 34% of voters who disapprove of Trump still plan to vote Republican.
However, in the Senate race, 75% of Ohio voters who disapprove of Trump plan to vote Democrat.
CNN poll finds Democrat Amy Acton may have edge on Republican Vivek Ramaswamy
According to CNN's poll of 760 likely voters, 50% will vote for Democrat Dr. Amy Acton, while 42% will vote for Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.
When does early voting begin in Ohio?
Early voting began on Oct. 6, according to the Ohio Secretary of State website.
What are early voting options in Ohio?
You can vote by mail by requesting an absentee ballot — you can print the request at home, or the application can be mailed to you. More information on absentee ballots is available on the Secretary of State website. Most mail-in ballots must be returned by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
Those with disabilities can request an accessible absentee ballot, which uses assistive technology for an accessible format. More information about the accessible absentee format is available from the Secretary of State website.
Curbside voting is also available for those who are physically unable to enter early voting polls but can complete a ballot in their car. For this option, contact your county board of elections.
Early voting can also be done in person ahead of Nov. 3. Poll locations open on Oct. 6, per Ohio’s voting schedule.
What are Ohio voting hours on Election Day 2026?
Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Absentee ballots must be returned to local boards of elections by 7:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: CNN poll shows trouble for GOP in key Ohio races, voters souring on Trump
