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UpdateOhioFriday, October 30, 2026

WTAP published 2026 election guide for West Virginia and Ohio

Reporting by
WTAP
“WTAP 2026 Election Guide: West Virginia & Ohio”, Friday, October 30, 2026
Read the full story
What happened

WTAP published a voter guide covering key 2026 general election races in West Virginia and Ohio, including U.S. Senate and House contests, state government leadership, and ballot issues. Heading into Election Day, Republicans hold 53 Senate seats to Democrats 45, with 33 seats regularly scheduled plus special elections in Ohio and Florida. In the House, Republicans lead 218 to 214 with Democrats needing a net gain of four seats for a majority.1

Ohio's special Senate election fills Jon Husted's seat, to which he was appointed in 2025.1

53
Republican Senate seats heading into Election Day1
45
Democratic Senate seats heading into Election Day1
218 to 214
Republican lead over Democrats in the House1
What it means in Ohio

What Ohio voters need to know

In Ohio, voters must register by Monday October 5, 2026, since the 30-day deadline falls on a Sunday and moves to the next business day.2 Early voting runs from Tuesday October 6 until 5 p.m. on Sunday November 1, 2026.3 Absentee applications must be received by close of business on Tuesday October 27, 2026, 7 days before Election Day.2 Absentee ballots must be received by the board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.2

Key dates in Ohio

Election Day in 2 days
  1. Mon, Oct 5 · passed
    Registration deadline
  2. Tue, Oct 6 · passed
    Early voting begins
  3. Tue, Oct 27 · passed
    Last day for mail ballot applications
  4. Tue, Nov 3 · 2 days
    Election Day; Mail ballots must arrive
  5. Tue, Nov 24 · 23 days
    County/Local certification

Every date in Ohio, and who certifies the election

More on this story
Ohio · Oct 29
Cuyahoga County announced 66 polling place changes for November 2026
Reporting by Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
The answers behind this
Registering and casting your voteVoting in Ohio, 2026Who certifies the election in Ohio, and by when?When does early voting start?

Explore this issue

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Sources

  1. WTAP, https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiggFBVV95cUxQbHc2S3ZtQTJsRm12dWxENUl2T3RjYms3NTFIclpHbGFpZ3hmci1fWjlqbURnOFpuZllpdzdPNk9qdFRnekVjb0doQkVIWDA5Y3RZN1ZzWmpXY2tsLXhrVHJGak84Rk1OcTFmMXgtTnlEbC1oZTZicGJEMXhlbVNNZi1R0gGWAUFVX3lxTE9tX3NhUEUtVDlyckxsYVFlMDMxejgwNWw4eTNHaU9TeHhFUnZxc1VfNVRGZ0d1bU5heFlWWFJvMW9aa0d5YTZTM3Y4eDBGdWpCYWZjQnNyUk02Q3hTZXR1dHdBbnEyOGNEQkFqY05KZzBoZ0xfbXNBV1V3bm5oZWZjMkZNWUFwTXZTelJsak5iZTI5NTM5UQ?oc=5 · Friday, October 30, 2026
  2. Vote.org, Ohio Election Center, https://www.vote.org/state/ohio/
  3. US Vote Foundation, Ohio Election Dates and Deadlines, https://www.usvotefoundation.org/ohio-election-dates-and-deadlines

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