Ohio will elect a new governor in 2026, along with many other state and congressional policymakers —and the decisions made by these leaders will shape early childhood policy and systems for years to come. Groundwork Ohio is helping ensure families and communities are ready to make their voices heard.
At Groundwork Ohio, we work every day to make Ohio the best place to be a young child. We advocate for strong policies that support children, families, and the early childhood professionals who care for them.
But policies don’t happen in a vacuum—they are shaped by the leaders we elect. Our nonpartisan voter registration and civic engagement work helps ensure that families, caregivers, early childhood professionals, and community members are registered and ready to vote.
Young children can’t vote—but the adults who care for them can.
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Key Dates
Voter Registration Deadline for General Election
October 5, 2026
Early In-Person Voting Begins
October 6, 2026
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
October 27, 2026
Early In-Person Voting Ends
November 1, 2026
General Election Day
November 3, 2026
Polls open 6:30 am - 7:30 pm
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OHIO'S NEXT GOVERNOR
Elevating Early Childhood Issues in the 2026 Election
Ohio will elect a new governor in 2026, and the decisions made throughout this campaign season will shape the lives of young children and families for years to come. Groundwork Ohio is proactively doing nonpartisan outreach to the candidates to ensure the needs of Ohio’s youngest children—and the families who care for them—are front and center in the conversations happening across the state.
