Chapter 13 – State Elections & Campaigning

In earlier sections, you learned about Ohio’s two-party system, patterns of voter behavior, how people develop their political values, and the role of polling as a way to measure public opinion. Building on that foundation, this chapter turns to the structure and practice of elections and campaigning in Ohio today.

Elections are formal processes in which citizens vote to choose candidates for public office. In Ohio, elections follow specific rules and are administered by a range of officials and bodies. Currently, the Republican Party controls all statewide executive offices and majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly, which is the backdrop for elections and campaigns in Ohio.

This chapter explains how elections are conducted, who is responsible for overseeing them, and the rules that guide these processes. It also looks at political campaigns and how candidates attempt to win elections. A political campaign is an organized effort by a candidate to influence an election. Most campaigns are focused on winning office, but some are run to highlight specific issues, build public visibility, or lay the groundwork for future races.

Campaigns involve raising money, reaching out to voters, building support through volunteers and endorsements, and persuading citizens to cast their ballots.

By learning about these elements together, you will gain a clearer understanding of how elections work in Ohio and the forces that influence their outcomes.