Politics

Columbus mayor touts record midterm turnout as Franklin County early voting surges

Columbus, Ohio • October 26, 2026 • By Press Pass USA

Editorial illustration: voters in line outside a county board of elections building in Columbus, Ohio, on an autumn day

Editorial illustration — Press Pass USA

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther says Franklin County is seeing its greatest midterm turnout ever — nearly approaching presidential-election levels — and he urged voters who have not yet cast a ballot to vote early before the November 3 election.

Ginther delivered the message as keynote speaker at the 10th anniversary celebration of New Americans magazine over the weekend. “We are seeing the greatest turnout that we've ever seen in midterm elections. Right here in central Ohio, Franklin County, we are leading the way. We are almost approaching Presidential election turnout here in Franklin County,” he said.

“There are those that are trying to scare, intimidate, threaten, and bully. But if those folks want to intimidate people in our community, they will have to come through me,” Ginther said. “Your vote is your voice. Nothing is more American than participation in our elections.” He added that the city will do everything in its power to make sure every registered, eligible voter can cast a ballot and have it counted, and advised voters to bring appropriate identification and allow about 45 minutes.

The county numbers back up the surge. According to data on the Ohio Secretary of State's website reported by The Columbus Dispatch, more than 88,000 Franklin County residents had voted early — in person or by mail — a pace ahead of both the 2018 and 2022 midterms. As of October 22, nearly 44,500 people had voted early in person and nearly 44,000 had returned mail ballots.

Franklin County Board of Elections Director Antone White told the Dispatch he expects the early in-person rate to run more than twice as high as in 2022, when about 48,000 voted early in person; by the end of October 23 he expected the in-person total to reach about 50,000. Statewide, more than 920,000 Ohio voters had already cast ballots.

The remaining calendar matters for late deciders: absentee ballot applications must reach the county board by 8:30 p.m. on October 27, early in-person voting runs through November 1, and Election Day polls are open November 3 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., when completed absentee ballots must also be received.

Sources: New Americans Magazine (Oct 25, 2026); The Columbus Dispatch (Oct 23, 2026); Ohio Secretary of State voting calendar.