Chapter 13 – State Elections & Campaigning
13.1 Scheduled Elections for State Offices in Ohio
In Ohio, elections for state offices are held on a regular schedule, with different offices up for election in different years:
Gubernatorial Elections
The Governor of Ohio is elected every four years, with the next election scheduled for 2026. Gubernatorial elections are held in midterm election years, which are the years when there are no presidential elections (e.g., 2022, 2018, 2014).
State Legislative Elections
Ohio House of Representatives – All 99 seats in the Ohio House of Representatives are up for election every two years during even-numbered years (e.g., 2022, 2024, 2026).
Ohio Senate – The Ohio Senate has 33 seats, with half of the seats up for election every two years. Each senator serves a four-year term, so half of the districts are elected in presidential election years (e.g., 2024, 2028) and the other half in midterm election years (e.g., 2026, 2030).
Statewide Executive Offices
Other statewide executive offices, including the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Auditor, are elected every four years, coinciding with the gubernatorial elections (e.g., 2022, 2026).
Judicial Elections
Ohio Supreme Court – Justices on the Ohio Supreme Court serve six-year terms. Elections are staggered, with some justices elected in presidential election years and others in midterm election years.
Ohio Courts of Appeals and Common Pleas Courts – Judges in these courts also serve six-year terms, with elections held in both presidential and midterm election years depending on the specific court and district.
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