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Voters across Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana will head to the polls November 3 for the 2026 general election. Major contests include Ohio’s gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races, Kentucky’s Senate race to replace Mitch McConnell, and congressional contests in Indiana. Voters will also decide constitutional amendments involving voter identification, gubernatorial pardons, bail requirements and judicial residency. Polling hours and voter identification rules vary by state.
The 2026 general election takes place today with voters across Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana deciding important federal, state and local races.
This year’s general election also features constitutional amendments and local ballot questions that could affect voting requirements, criminal justice policies and government operations.
What voters need to know about the 2026 general election
The November election will help determine the balance of power in Congress.
All 435 voting seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 35 U.S. Senate seats are being contested nationwide.
Voters in the Tri-State region will also decide congressional races, state legislative contests and local government positions.
The three states have different ballot measures and election schedules. Polling hours, identification requirements and candidate lists also vary by jurisdiction.
Also read: November 3 election voter guide: What Ohio and Cincinnati voters need to know
Ohio voters face governor, Senate and congressional races
Ohio voters will choose a successor to Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who cannot seek another consecutive term.
The gubernatorial candidates are Democrat Amy Acton, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Libertarian Donald Kissick.
Another major contest involves the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Jon Husted. He faces Democratic former Sen. Sherrod Brown, Libertarian William Redpath and independent candidate Greg Levy.
The state’s congressional races also include Ohio’s 1st Congressional District, where Democratic incumbent Greg Landsman faces Republican challenger Eric Conroy.
Ohio voters will additionally decide several statewide offices, including attorney general, secretary of state, auditor and treasurer.
Issue 3 would change Ohio’s voter identification rules
Ohio voters will consider State Issue 3, a proposed constitutional amendment concerning voter identification requirements.
The amendment would place voter ID requirements in the Ohio Constitution and establish identification requirements for mail voting.
Ohio already requires voters casting ballots in person to present an acceptable, unexpired photo ID.
A yes vote would approve the amendment, while a no vote would leave the state constitution unchanged.
Greater Cincinnati voters will also encounter local contests and school tax levy questions, including measures affecting Cincinnati Public Schools and other area districts.
Kentucky voters decide McConnell’s Senate successor
Kentucky voters will choose a successor to longtime Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, who announced his retirement.
Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr and Democrat Charles Booker are the leading candidates in the Senate contest. Kentucky Party candidate Christopher Campbell and write-in candidate Thomas Michael Murphy are also listed.
The state’s six congressional districts will have elections, along with selected state legislative, judicial and local government positions.
One closely watched congressional contest involves Kentucky’s 4th District. Republican Ed Gallrein faces Democrat Melissa Strange and Libertarian Jeremy Todd after incumbent Republican Thomas Massie lost the primary.
Kentucky Amendment 1 concerns gubernatorial pardons
Kentucky voters will also decide Amendment 1, which proposes limiting the governor’s power to grant pardons and commute criminal sentences around gubernatorial elections.
If approved, the amendment would prohibit those actions beginning 60 days before a gubernatorial election and continuing until the fifth Tuesday following the election.
A yes vote would approve the proposed constitutional change. A no vote would leave the existing provision unchanged.
Louisville residents will also decide local races, including the mayoral contest between incumbent Craig Greenberg and challenger Shameka Parrish-Wright.
Indiana voters consider congressional races and constitutional questions
Indiana voters will participate in congressional and local elections, including contests for state offices.
In southeastern Indiana, voters in the 9th Congressional District will choose between Republican incumbent Erin Houchin, Democrat Brad Meyer and Libertarian Tonya Hudson.
The state will also elect a secretary of state, state comptroller and state treasurer.
Two proposed constitutional amendments will appear on Indiana ballots.
Bail rules and judicial residency among Indiana ballot questions
The first public question concerns whether judges should have broader authority to deny bail to people accused of crimes beyond murder and treason when certain conditions are met.
A yes vote would approve the proposed constitutional change, while a no vote would preserve the current language.
The second question concerns residency requirements for city and town court judges.
Currently, Indiana requires these judges to live in the municipality where they serve. The proposed amendment would allow them to reside elsewhere in the same county or an adjoining county.
Both questions require voter approval to change the state constitution.
Polling hours and voter ID requirements across the Tri-State
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Polling hours and identification requirements differ across the three states.
Ohio
- Polls open at 6:30 a.m.
- Polls close at 7:30 p.m.
- Voters must present an acceptable, unexpired photo ID.
- Voters must cast ballots at their assigned polling locations.
Kentucky
- Polls open at 6 a.m.
- Polls close at 6 p.m.
- Voters must present identification.
- Anyone in line by 6 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
Indiana
- Polls open at 6 a.m.
- Polls close at 6 p.m.
- Voters must present an acceptable government-issued photo ID.
- Voters should verify their assigned polling locations before Election Day.
All polling hours are local time.
Cincinnati-area voters can check their polling locations
Hamilton County residents can find their assigned polling locations and sample ballots through the Hamilton County Board of Elections.
Voters in Butler, Clermont, Warren and other surrounding counties should consult their respective county boards of elections.
Kentucky residents can use the state’s online voter information portal, while Indiana voters can access their registration information and polling details through the Indiana Voter Portal.
Election officials encourage voters to review their sample ballots before arriving at polling locations.
Federal election monitors to visit selected counties
The 2026 election will also include a federal monitoring effort across several states.
According to reporting by WVXU, the U.S. Department of Justice plans to deploy approximately 1,000 election monitors nationwide, describing the operation as its largest monitoring effort.
The initially identified locations include Cuyahoga, Franklin and Medina counties in Ohio; Franklin and Jefferson counties in Kentucky; and Lake and Marion counties in Indiana.
Hamilton County was not among the initially identified locations.
The monitoring effort is intended to check compliance with federal election laws, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act and Americans with Disabilities Act.
As voters head to the polls, election officials across the Tri-State region are preparing for a busy Election Day.
The final ballots will determine representation in Congress, state government and local offices, while voters will also decide several proposed constitutional changes.
FAQs
What are the major races in Ohio?
Ohio voters will choose a governor, a U.S. senator and congressional representatives. Statewide offices and local positions are also on the ballot.
What is Ohio Issue 3?
Issue 3 proposes adding voter identification requirements to the Ohio Constitution. It also establishes identification requirements for mail voting.
Are school tax levies included in the Ohio election?
Yes. Several Greater Cincinnati school districts have tax levy questions on the ballot, including Cincinnati Public Schools and Lakota Local Schools.
