2026 General Election Recap

11/04/26

Elections determine who will shape the laws, regulations, budgets, and public programs affecting Ohio's banks, their customers, and the communities they serve. For OBL, staying engaged throughout the election and transition process is not about party politics. It is about a holistic advocacy engagement approach ensuring that policymakers understand the banking industry's role in supporting issues like credit access, housing, small businesses, economic development, and financial security.

Yesterday, the 2026 General Election and its results create a significantly different governing environment in Columbus and Washington for the coming years. A new state administration, narrower legislative majorities, and divided government at the state and federal level will require early outreach, strong bipartisan relationships, and continued education on the practical effects public-policy decisions have on Ohio banks and their customers.

Here is a recap of the non-certified results in Ohio:

Governor, U.S. Senate & Other Statewide Offices: Ohio voters produced a broad Democratic sweep across the top of the ticket while preserving Republican control of both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly. Democrats Amy Acton and David Pepper won the governorship, and Sherrod Brown won the U.S. Senate special election. Democrats also won the offices of Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Treasurer. Frank LaRose was the sole Republican winning statewide for the State Auditor contest.

National Congressional Snapshot: Democrats are projected to control both chambers of the 120th Congress, with at least a 231-141 majority in the U.S. House and a 54-44 majority in the U.S. Senate, while several races remain uncalled. Ohio's 15 U.S. House seats will have an 8-7 Democratic split, following a 3-seat pickup for Democrats last night. We will have split government between the Democrat-led 120^th Congress and ongoing Trump administration.

Ohio General Assembly: The state legislative results materially narrowed Republican majorities in the Ohio Statehouse. Based on the unofficial district results, the Ohio House is projected at 56 Republicans and 43 Democrats, compared with 64 Republicans, 34 Democrats, and one vacancy before the election. The Ohio Senate is projected at 22 Republicans and 11 Democrats, down from a 24-9 Republican majority. Republicans retain control in both chambers. Importantly, a 60-vote threshold is required in the Ohio House for a vote to override a Governor's veto. The Republican caucus alone will not have the ability to override potential vetoes by Governor Amy Acton. This split places an emphasis on bipartisanship for effective legislating in the 137^th General Assembly starting next year.

State Issue 3: The voter photo identification constitutional amendment, passed decisively with 65.33% of the vote. The measure takes effect immediately upon approval, subject to certification and any implementing guidance or litigation.

Voter turnout: Unofficial returns show 4,658,250 ballots counted from 8,018,054 registered voters, a 58.10% turnout rate. Another 102,148 absentee and provisional ballots remain outstanding. The 2026 rate is 13.9 points below Ohio's approximately 72% registered-voter turnout in the 2024 presidential election, but it exceeds the eligible-voter turnout benchmarks reported for the 2022 and 2018 midterms, 47.1% and 50.9%, respectively.

OBL Takeaways

• The incoming Acton administration creates a new executive-branch relationship map for OBL. Key Departments of focus are Commerce, Development, Insurance, Taxation, and Job and Family Services.
• Treasurer-elect Seth Walsh will oversee state treasury operations and programs involving public funds and linked deposits. This will be a key direct relationship for the banking industry we will continue to build.
• Secretary of State-elect Allison Russo will oversee business filings as well as election administration, including approval of constitutional ballot amendment language proposals.
• Republican legislative control continues, but smaller margins with split government increase the importance of bipartisan coalition building, legislator education, and early engagement with newly elected legislators.

Read OBL's full election recap report here.