{"id":2569,"date":"2026-10-15T17:57:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T17:57:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/?p=2569"},"modified":"2026-10-15T18:10:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T18:10:26","slug":"understanding-your-ballot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/index.php\/2026\/10\/15\/understanding-your-ballot\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Your Ohio Ballot: A Simple Guide to the November 2026 Election"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2569\" class=\"elementor elementor-2569\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57c1e49 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"57c1e49\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa0bbfd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fa0bbfd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking at your ballot can feel overwhelming, especially when it includes unfamiliar offices, judicial races, and questions about proposed laws. If you&#8217;ve ever wondered what you&#8217;re voting on or what a ballot issue actually means, you&#8217;re not alone!<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As Ohio prepares for the November 3, 2026, General Election, Ohio Unity wants to help voters feel informed, prepared, and confident when making their voices heard.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You don&#8217;t have to be a political expert to understand your ballot. You just need to know what to look for, where to find reliable information, and how to prepare before Election Day.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e5d545 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3e5d545\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bdac9d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1bdac9d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Start Here: Get Ready to Vote with Ohio Unity<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4eb5f3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b4eb5f3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf109cf elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget-tablet__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"cf109cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Picture4.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2491\" alt=\"Ballot\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Picture4.jpg 960w, https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Picture4-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Picture4-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Picture4-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Picture4-500x281.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3d99f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d3d99f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before researching candidates or ballot issues, take a moment to get your voting information organized. Ohio Unity provides tools to help you prepare.<\/span><\/p><p><b>1. Find Your Polling Place <\/b>Not sure where to vote? Visit<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/#findmypollingplace\"> Ohio Unity&#8217;s Find My Polling Place tool<\/a><\/span><\/strong> to get started.<\/p><p><b>2. Explore Your Personalized Voter Dashboard <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit<\/span><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/#poweryourballot\"> Power Your Ballot<\/a><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to access Ohio Unity&#8217;s personalized voter dashboard and explore the voter information available to you.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you&#8217;ve reviewed your voting information, the next step is understanding what&#8217;s on your ballot.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f0a750 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4f0a750\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-653c057 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"653c057\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Understand What's on Your Ballot<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee9a11e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ee9a11e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your ballot may include candidates running for office, judicial races, and questions asking voters to approve or reject proposed changes.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The exact ballot depends on where you live. Two Ohio residents may see different candidates and local questions in the same election.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To prepare, review your sample ballot before Election Day. You can also consult the<\/span><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ohiosos.gov\/elections\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Ohio Secretary of State&#8217;s official election website<\/a><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for election information and links to local election resources.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aea5a15 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"aea5a15\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c1ed0f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8c1ed0f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Know What the Different Offices Do<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2adeea8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2adeea8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your ballot may include several types of elected offices. Understanding their responsibilities can help you research candidates and make informed decisions.<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Governor:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Leads Ohio&#8217;s executive branch and helps oversee state government.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>U.S. Senator:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Represents Ohio in the U.S. Senate and votes on federal legislation.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>U.S. Representative:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Represents a congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>State legislators:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Serve in the Ohio House or Senate and consider state laws and budgets.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Local officials:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Depending on where you live, you may see races for county commissioners, mayors, city councils, or school boards.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Judges:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Serve in different courts and handle legal matters according to their court&#8217;s authority.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c1d4c40 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c1d4c40\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not every ballot contains all these offices. Read each heading carefully so you understand which position you&#8217;re voting on.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-361e0b5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"361e0b5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bbc6c5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bbc6c5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. What Are Ballot Issues?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5668a1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d5668a1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A ballot isn&#8217;t just a list of candidates. It may also include questions asking voters to approve or reject a proposed law, constitutional amendment, tax levy, or other public measure.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the November 3, 2026, election, voters should check the official election information for confirmed statewide ballot issues and any questions specific to their community.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Local ballots may include:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">School district levies<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Local tax measures<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bond issues for public projects<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">City, county, or township questions<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1ca30a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b1ca30a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ohiosos.gov\/directories\/sample-ballot\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">These issues vary by location<\/a><\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>.<\/strong><\/span> A school levy appearing on one ballot may not appear on another.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before deciding how to vote, read the actual ballot language. Find out what the proposal would change, how it could affect the community, and what its financial implications may be.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9559a4d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9559a4d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aaec227 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"aaec227\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. How Do You Vote on a Ballot Issue?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-abd4c3b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"abd4c3b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ballot questions sometimes use formal or unfamiliar language. Take your time and break the question down into smaller parts.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask yourself:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the proposal asking voters to approve or reject?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What would change if it passes?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who or what could be affected?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Would it create a tax, change a law, or authorize public spending?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where can I find the official explanation?<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-110e764 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"110e764\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e0d1c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7e0d1c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A<strong> \u201cYes\u201d<\/strong> vote generally supports a proposal as presented, while a <strong>\u201cNo\u201d<\/strong> vote generally opposes it. However, always read the exact wording because the effect of each choice depends on the question.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You don&#8217;t have to make a decision based on a headline or someone else&#8217;s opinion. Review reliable information and make the decision that reflects your own judgment.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49e9c1b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"49e9c1b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">5. How to Read and Mark Your Ballot<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2488fd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d2488fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A ballot can look complicated at first, but understanding its basic structure can make the process less intimidating. The infographic below is an educational illustration, not an official Ohio ballot. Actual ballots and marking instructions can vary.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53ea833 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"53ea833\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af73a8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"af73a8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"679\" height=\"709\" src=\"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-15-134259.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2572\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-15-134259.png 679w, https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-15-134259-287x300.png 287w, https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-15-134259-500x522.png 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 679px) 100vw, 679px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7773b3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7773b3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you review your ballot, remember these tips:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Read the instructions.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Each contest may have different directions.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Check how many candidates you may select.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Instructions such as \u201cVote for not more than one\u201d or \u201cVote for not more than two\u201d tell you the maximum number of choices allowed.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Follow the marking directions.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your ballot may use specific instructions for filling in a selection.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Review every section.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Don&#8217;t overlook additional pages, judicial races, or ballot questions.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ask for help if needed.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you make a mistake or have trouble understanding the process, ask an election worker for assistance.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7957471 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7957471\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b516f18 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b516f18\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">6. Research Candidates Before You Vote<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c024891 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c024891\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may recognize some names on your ballot but not others. Reviewing candidates ahead of time can help you feel more prepared.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider researching each candidate&#8217;s experience, public statements, policy positions, and priorities. Look for reliable information from multiple sources, and distinguish documented facts from campaign claims and personal opinions.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For judicial races, learn about the responsibilities of the court and review candidates&#8217; qualifications and professional backgrounds.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-567b5db elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"567b5db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">7. Make Your Voting Plan<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e8687f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8e8687f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ea05c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0ea05c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"671\" src=\"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/The-Power-of-Our-Vote-A-Call-to-Action-for-Black-Civic-Engagement-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1827\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/The-Power-of-Our-Vote-A-Call-to-Action-for-Black-Civic-Engagement-1.jpg 940w, https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/The-Power-of-Our-Vote-A-Call-to-Action-for-Black-Civic-Engagement-1-300x251.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/The-Power-of-Our-Vote-A-Call-to-Action-for-Black-Civic-Engagement-1-768x644.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/The-Power-of-Our-Vote-A-Call-to-Action-for-Black-Civic-Engagement-1-700x587.jpg 700w, https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/The-Power-of-Our-Vote-A-Call-to-Action-for-Black-Civic-Engagement-1-500x419.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5ba345 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c5ba345\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you&#8217;ve reviewed your ballot, take a few minutes to prepare for Election Day.<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Find your polling location:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Start with<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/#findmypollingplace\"> Ohio Unity\u2019s Find My Polling Place tool<\/a><\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to get started.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Explore your voter information:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Visit<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/#poweryourballot\"> Power Your Ballot<\/a><\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to access your personalized voter dashboard.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Review your sample ballot:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Learn which candidates and issues may appear on your ballot.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Research unfamiliar candidates and ballot questions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Take time to understand your choices before voting.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Confirm official election details:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> For additional information about voting dates, hours, identification requirements, and election procedures, visit the<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ohiosos.gov\/elections\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Ohio Secretary of State\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/strong><\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77f1221 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"77f1221\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bacc904 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bacc904\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting with Ohio Unity helps you access our voter resources in one place, while official state resources provide additional election details.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc21bd8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dc21bd8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Your Voice Matters<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55c39e0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"55c39e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding your ballot is an important part of participating in your community. Whether you&#8217;re voting for a statewide candidate, choosing local representatives, or considering a ballot issue, taking time to learn about your choices can help you approach Election Day with greater confidence.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Share this guide with a neighbor, friend, or family member who may have questions about voting. If you&#8217;re a Block Leader, help your neighbors find their polling locations, review their voter information, and locate reliable election resources.<\/span><\/p><p><b>An informed community starts with informed voters. Your neighborhood. Your voice. Your vote.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Looking at your ballot can feel overwhelming, especially when it includes unfamiliar offices, judicial races, and questions about proposed laws. If you&#8217;ve ever wondered what you&#8217;re voting on or what a ballot issue actually means, you&#8217;re not alone! As Ohio prepares for the November 3, 2026, General Election, Ohio Unity wants to help voters feel [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2549,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,31],"tags":[59,43],"class_list":["post-2569","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-voting","tag-understanding-your-ballot","tag-voting-guide"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2569","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2569"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2569\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2582,"href":"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2569\/revisions\/2582"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2549"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2569"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2569"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ohiounity.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2569"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}