Elections
Ohio 2026 Primary Election: Date, Rules & What to Know
The Ohio 2026 congressional primary was held on May 5, 2026. General Election Day is November 3, 2026.
Live on Congress Countdown
See Ohio's current congressional delegation
Term end dates, party breakdown, and which seats are on the November ballot.
Ohio U.S. Senate Primary — Results
Special election for the seat JD Vance vacated to become vice president. Appointed Sen. Jon Husted ran unopposed; former Sen. Sherrod Brown won the Democratic primary, setting up a battleground contest.
November nominees
These two face off on November 3, 2026 in a single-winner plurality contest.
Competitive U.S. House Races
Ohio has 2 U.S. House districts rated a toss-up for 2026 (rating: Cook Political Report (June 2026)). These are among the seats most likely to decide control of the House.
General Election · November 3, 2026
What's on the Ohio 2026 Ballot
U.S. House of Representatives
All U.S. House seats in Ohio are on the 2026 ballot. Every House member runs for re-election every two years. View Ohio representatives →
U.S. Senate — Special Election
Ohio is holding a special Senate election in 2026 to fill a vacant seat. Special election to fill the Senate seat vacated by JD Vance. Regular House primary also held May 5.
Ohio's Primary System: Partisan Open Primary
Ohio holds separate party primaries, but any registered voter may participate — you do not need to be registered with a party. On primary day, you simply request the ballot for the party whose primary you want to vote in.
Ohio 2026 Election Key Dates
| May 5, 2026 | Primary Election (passed) |
| October 2026 | Voter registration deadlines (check your state) |
| November 3, 2026 | General Election |
| January 3, 2027 | 120th Congress convenes |
Voter Registration in Ohio
Any registered voter may participate — no party registration required. You may choose which party's primary to vote in on Election Day. Registration deadlines vary — most states require registration 15–30 days before the primary, though some offer same-day registration.
Check your registration status and find your polling place at vote.gov.
See All State Primary Dates
Compare Ohio's primary to other states' 2026 schedules.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Ohio 2026 U.S. Senate primary?
Jon Husted won the Republican nomination with 100.0% of the vote, and Sherrod Brown won the Democratic nomination with 88.0%. They advance to the general election on November 3, 2026.
Who is running for U.S. Senate in Ohio in November 2026?
The November 3, 2026 ballot features Jon Husted (R) vs Sherrod Brown (D) for Ohio's U.S. Senate seat.
When is the Ohio primary election in 2026?
The Ohio 2026 congressional primary is May 5, 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026.
Can I vote in the Ohio primary if I'm not registered with a party?
Any registered voter may participate — no party registration required. You may choose which party's primary to vote in on Election Day.
What is on the Ohio 2026 primary ballot?
All U.S. House seats in Ohio are on the 2026 primary ballot. Additionally, there is a special election primary for the U.S. Senate seat. Many states also hold primaries for governor and state legislature on the same day.
What type of primary does Ohio use?
Ohio holds separate party primaries, but any registered voter may participate — you do not need to be registered with a party. On primary day, you simply request the ballot for the party whose primary you want to vote in.
When is the Ohio voter registration deadline for the 2026 primary?
Voter registration deadlines vary but are typically 15–30 days before the primary. Check the Ohio Secretary of State website or vote.gov for the exact deadline.
When is the Ohio general election in 2026?
The 2026 general election is on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. This date is the same for all 50 states — it is always the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
Which U.S. House races in Ohio are competitive in 2026?
Ohio has 2 U.S. House districts rated a toss-up by Cook Political Report (June 2026). Decided November matchups: OH-9 (Derek Merrin (R) vs Marcy Kaptur (D)); OH-13 (Carey Coleman (R) vs Emilia Sykes (D)).