Ohio Voters Pick New Secretary of State
Voters will choose a successor to term-limited Frank LaRose in the November 3, 2026 statewide election.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections
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Ohio voters will select a new secretary of state on November 3, 2026, filling the office held by Frank LaRose, who is term limited after eight years and is running for state auditor. The race has been labeled a toss-up by Sabato's Crystal Ball.
Why it matters
The secretary of state trains county election officials, investigates voter fraud allegations, reviews petitions for statewide ballot issues, and holds seats on the Ohio Redistricting Commission and Ohio Ballot Board. The outcome will shape who oversees these election functions across the state.
Frank LaRose is term limited after eight years in office, and Sabato's Crystal Ball has rated the race a toss-up. The source does not name the candidates competing for the seat.
The players
Frank LaRose
Ohio's current secretary of state, who is term limited after eight years and is running for state auditor.
Robert Sprague
A former Findlay city auditor and treasurer who took over as Ohio state treasurer in 2019.
Allison Russo
A Democrat first elected to the Ohio House in 2018 who spent more than three years as minority leader.
The details
Candidates will compete statewide for secretary of state, with voters making their selection on the ballot on November 3, 2026. The office trains county election officials, investigates voter fraud allegations, and reviews petitions for statewide ballot issues.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Ohio voters choose a new secretary of state.
2019: Robert Sprague took over as state treasurer.
2018: Allison Russo was first elected to the Ohio House.
Political Context
The secretary of state sits on the Ohio Redistricting Commission and the Ohio Ballot Board, so the officeholder helps shape both district maps and ballot questions. Whoever wins will hold a voice in those decisions for the next term.
Ohio voters will decide who runs the state's election administration and oversees voter fraud investigations. The outcome affects how county boards operate and how statewide ballot issues are reviewed.
The takeaway
Ohio's secretary of state oversees both the mechanics of voting and the redistricting and ballot processes, so this race carries weight beyond its title. Voters who follow election administration should watch the November 3, 2026 result closely.
What happens next
Ohio voters will select the new secretary of state on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For more on how statewide races are contested, see Elections coverage across Ohio.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Jeffersonian.
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