Ohio 2026 Supreme Court Election

Ohio Supreme Court Election 

The Supreme Court of Ohio consists of seven justices (one chief justice and six associate justices) who serve six-year terms. Ohio elects its supreme court justices in partisan elections. This means candidates appear with a party affiliation next to their name on the ballot. Two seats on the seven-member court are on the ballot in this year’s general election. The court currently maintains a 6–1 Republican majority. Thus, because Ohio uses partisan general elections for judicial seats, this cycle carries significant weight. The single remaining Democratic seat is up for election, meaning the court could move to a 7–0 Republican majority or shift slightly to a 5–2 Republican majority, depending on the outcomes. 

How You Can Get Involved 

• Make a voting plan: Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Ohio polling places open at 6:30 AM and close at 7:30 PM EST. You can confirm your assigned polling location using the Ohio Secretary of State Voter Lookup Tool. 

• Check your registration: The voter registration deadline for the general election is Monday, October 5, 2026. Residents can submit or update their status directly using the Ohio Online Voter Registration Portal. 

• Prepare for identification requirements: Ohio law requires voters to bring an unexpired photo ID (such as an Ohio driver’s license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID) to vote early or on Election Day. 

• Plan early for absentee voting: Any registered Ohio voter may request a mail-in ballot without needing a specific excuse. Absentee ballot applications must be received by your county board of elections no later than October 27, 2026, at 8:30 PM. Completed mail ballots must be received by your county board by 7:30 PM on Election Day to be counted. 

Make sure to vote your entire ballot, especially the Ohio Supreme Court race. 

The Stakes 

As the state’s court of last resort, the Supreme Court of Ohio has the final word on questions of state law and the interpretation of the Ohio Constitution. The court’s composition matters for reproductive health, fair elections, civil liability, business regulation, and direct democracy. It is not hyperbole to say that the state supreme court’s work affects every aspect of an Ohioan’s daily life. 

The Candidates 

Seat 1 

Justice Jennifer Brunner (D) currently serves as an associate justice on the Ohio Supreme Court following her election to the bench in 2020. Her prior judicial career includes serving as a judge on the Ohio Tenth District Court of Appeals and the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. Before her public service as a judge, Brunner served as Ohio’s secretary of state from 2007 to 2011, where she oversaw statewide elections and business filings.  

Judge Colleen O’Donnel (R) serves as a judge on the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, a position she has held since her appointment in 2013 and subsequent reelection. Before joining  the bench, O’Donnell worked as an attorney in private practice with a focus on civil litigation. She also served as an assistant attorney general in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.  

Seat 2 

Judge Marilyn Zayas (D) currently serves as a judge on the Ohio First District Court of Appeals, a position she was first elected to in 2016. Prior to her election, Zayas spent two decades in private practice handling a variety of legal matters across civil, labor, and criminal defense law.  

Judge Dan Hawkins (R) serves as a judge on the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. He previously served as a judge on the Franklin County Municipal Court. Prior to his joining the bench, Hawkins was a prosecutor.