Ohio will elect a new governor in 2026, along with many other state and congressional policymakers —and the decisions made by these leaders will shape early childhood policy and systems for years to come. Groundwork Ohio is helping ensure families and communities are ready to make their voices heard.
At Groundwork Ohio, we work every day to make Ohio the best place to be a young child. We advocate for strong policies that support children, families, and the early childhood professionals who care for them.
But policies don’t happen in a vacuum—they are shaped by the leaders we elect. Our nonpartisan voter registration and civic engagement work helps ensure that families, caregivers, early childhood professionals, and community members are registered and ready to vote.
Young children can’t vote—but the adults who care for them can.
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Key Dates
Voter Registration Deadline for General Election
October 5, 2026
Early In-Person Voting Begins
October 6, 2026
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
October 27, 2026
Early In-Person Voting Ends
November 1, 2026
General Election Day
November 3, 2026
Polls open 6:30 am - 7:30 pm
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ELEVATING OHIO'S YOUNGEST VOICES
Ohio’s children can’t vote, but their voices and futures matter.
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Download our Vote Baby Vote coloring page.
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Invite your child to write and/or draw what they would vote for.
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Snap a photo of the completed page.
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Email it to Groundwork Ohio for a chance to be featured on our social media!
FOR PARTNERS
Groundwork Ohio is partnering with Ohio organizations to help families and communities register and vote by:
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Sharing information with families and staff.
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Displaying flyers and QR codes.
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Posting on social media.
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Encouraging their communities to make a plan to vote.
Interest in Joining Us?
Help your community register and vote by downloading the toolkit below.
Partner Resources (Downloadable Toolkit)
Are you an organization serving families, children, or communities in Ohio?
Download our nonpartisan voter engagement toolkit to help your community register and vote. This toolkit is designed to help Ohio organizations share accurate, nonpartisan information about voter registration and voting in Ohio's Nov. 3 general election.
Groundwork Ohio is a nonpartisan organization. We do not support or oppose any candidates or political parties. Our goal is to ensure Ohioans have the information they need to participate in our democracy.
Note: a "zip" file collection will download.
OHIO'S NEXT GOVERNOR
Elevating Early Childhood Issues in the 2026 Election
Ohio will elect a new governor in 2026, and the decisions made throughout this campaign season will shape the lives of young children and families for years to come. Groundwork Ohio is proactively doing nonpartisan outreach to the candidates to ensure the needs of Ohio’s youngest children—and the families who care for them—are front and center in the conversations happening across the state.
