3 Things You Need to Know:
Get to Know Issue 3: Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced this week that the full text, official ballot language, certified explanation, and arguments for and against State Issue 3 are now available for public review at OhioSoS.gov. Read the full release here.
Deadline Approaching for Write-In Candidates: The declaration of intent deadline for write-in candidates is 4 p.m. on Monday, August 24, 2026. This deadline is 72 days prior to the November 3 General Election. A full 2026 Ohio Elections Calendar can be found here.
Ohio Elections Don't Require Blind Trust: Secretary LaRose recently published his latest op-ed, Ohio elections don't require blind trust. Here's Why in the Cincinnati Enquirer. In the op-ed, Secretary LaRose emphasizes that free and fair elections don’t happen by chance; a good reminder ahead of the 2026 General Election.
Verify Ohio Weekly Update:
Question
Why does Ohio number statewide ballot issues the way they do?
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To reduce confusion caused by repeated ballot issue numbers between elections, the Ohio General Assembly passed a law to make statewide ballot issue numbers sequential. The numbering will continue until Issue 500, before restarting at Issue 1 again.
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Updates From Across Ohio
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose visited the Cleveland-Cliffs Middletown Works plant on Friday. There, he met with employees and led the Pledge of Allegiance before remarks by Vice President J.D. Vance. Vance highlighted the $1 billion investment in the plant and how it will strengthen manufacturing and create thousands of jobs across Southwest Ohio. The visit underscored the importance of American manufacturing and the hardworking Ohioans who keep it moving.
Secretary LaRose joined Honest Elections Project Executive Director Jason Snead in Grove City for a conversation on election integrity and poll worker recruitment. The discussion focused on Ohio’s efforts to maintain secure and accessible elections, as well as the critical role poll workers play on Election Day.
The Morrow County Board of Elections welcomed Secretary LaRose to tour its new office space this week. During the visit, the Secretary recognized the board with a proclamation. He also congratulated Director Penny Porter on her 31 years of service to Morrow County voters. The new location gives the board a dedicated space to continue serving voters and administering elections in the county.
East Central Regional Liaison Caleb Shriver presented a proclamation to the owner of Dragonfly Coffee Co., Tessa Wahl, to celebrate the opening of her new mobile coffee trailer.
West Central Regional Liaison Brian Metzbower presented a proclamation to Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival board members Doug Foght and Adam Heinlen this week. Members of the 2025 Bratwurst Festival Royalty Court was also on hand to receive the proclamation and celebrate the opening day of one of Ohio's favorite festivals.
In Case You Missed It:
State Unveils Official Arguments For And Against Issue 3, the Voter-ID Amendment
Interested in learning more about Issue 3, Ohio’s voter-ID constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot this fall? The Ohio secretary of state’s office has you covered.
LaRose Breaks Tie, Certifies Stidham as GOP Nominee in 89th District
Erie County Treasurer Caleb Stidham is officially the Republican nominee for Ohio’s 89th House District. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose certified Mr. Stidham for the November election after the Erie County Board of Elections had a tie vote on whether to allow Mr. Stidham to replace state Rep. D.J. Swearingen (R., Huron) on the ballot.
Secretary LaRose Encourages Inactive Voters to Confirm Voter Registration Information
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose issued Directive 2026-44 earlier this month, outlining the completion phase of Ohio’s 2022 General Voter Records Maintenance Program, which helps ensure accurate, up-to-date voter rolls across the state. The program, which follows both federal and state requirements, aims to remove abandoned registrations while protecting active voters’ rights.