Ohio candidate filing & campaign-finance deadlines
Official 2026 report due dates for Ohio state candidates file with Ohio Secretary of State.
2 more deadlines follow in this cycle.
Electbase emails you before every deadline — 14, 7, and 2 days out — and stays current as the official schedule changes.
Get deadline remindersIncluded in every Electbase plan · See pricingThis page also covers Ohio candidate-filing (ballot access) deadlines for 2027–2028 — the process of becoming a qualified candidate, distinct from the campaign-finance reporting below. Here's how to run for office in Ohio: what to file, when, and with whom.
7 report deadlines for the 2026 cycle.
These are the campaign-finance report due dates a Ohio state candidate files with Ohio Secretary of State for the 2026 election cycle, stored verbatim from the official schedule. The 2026 primary is May 5, 2026.
| Due | Type | Report | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual/Year-end | OH 2025 Annual Report Annual report due the last business day of January (January 30, 2026), covering through December 31, 2025. Not required of a committee that files the corresponding post-general report. |
— – Dec 31, 2025 | |
| Pre-election | OH Pre-Primary Report Due the 12th day before the May 5 primary; covers through the 20th day before the primary (April 15). |
— – Apr 15, 2026 | |
| Post-election | OH Post-Primary Report Due the 38th day after the May 5 primary; covers through the 7th day before filing (June 5). |
— – Jun 5, 2026 | |
| Annual/Year-end | OH Semiannual Report Semiannual report due July 31 (R.C. 3517.10(A)(4)); judicial candidates are exempt. |
— – Jun 30, 2026 | |
| Pre-election | OH Pre-General Report Due the 12th day before the November 3 general; covers through the 20th day before the general (October 14). |
— – Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Post-election | OH Post-General Report Due the 38th day after the November 3 general; covers through the 7th day before filing (December 4). |
— – Dec 4, 2026 | |
| Annual/Year-end | OH 2026 Annual Report Annual report due the last business day of January 2027 (January 29), covering through December 31, 2026. Not required of a committee that files the corresponding post-general report. |
— – Dec 31, 2026 |
Shaded rows are deadlines that have already passed.
Good to know
Reports for candidates filing with the Secretary of State (statewide and General Assembly). STATEWIDE candidates additionally file three monthly contribution-only reports (due 2026-08-05, 2026-09-03, 2026-10-05); General Assembly candidates do not. Judicial candidates are exempt from the July semiannual. An annual report is not required of a committee that files the corresponding post-election report. Candidates for county and most local offices file with their COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS, not the Secretary of State — confirm their schedule locally.
Ohio candidate-filing deadlines — 2027–2028.
Deadlines to become a qualified candidate for office in Ohio — declarations of candidacy, nominating petitions, and related ballot-access filing requirements — compiled from Ohio Secretary of State. Distinct from the campaign-finance report deadlines above.
2027
County
County Offices
Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing
Files with: County Board of Elections
Ohio Election Statutes - County Elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
The filing deadline for County Offices in County (varies by county) for the 2027 Ohio Local Elections (Municipal, County, School Board) is not yet a confirmed date (election not yet scheduled); check with County Board of Elections. Source: Ohio Secretary of State and Ohio Legislature.
Municipal
Mayor and Municipal Offices
Not yet published. 2027 is a local election year in Ohio's biennial cycle. Specific municipal election dates and filing deadlines vary by municipality and are not uniformly published statewide as of the research date. Many Ohio municipalities hold elections in odd-numbered years, but specific dates depend on municipal charters and local decisions.
Filing authority: Municipal Clerk or County Board of Elections.
Next check: Nov 1, 2026.
Ohio Election Statutes and Municipal Election Framework · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
The official filing deadline for Mayor and Municipal Offices in Municipal (varies by municipality) for the 2027 Ohio Local Elections (Municipal, County, School Board) has not yet been published; check with Municipal Clerk or County Board of Elections. Source: Ohio Secretary of State and Ohio Legislature.
School Board
School Board
Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing
Files with: School District Office or County Board of Elections
Ohio Election Statutes - School Board Elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
The filing deadline for School Board in School District (varies by district) for the 2027 Ohio Local Elections (Municipal, County, School Board) is not yet a confirmed date (election not yet scheduled); check with School District Office or County Board of Elections. Source: Ohio Secretary of State and Ohio Legislature.
2028
Federal
U.S. House of Representatives
Filing window: Closes
Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing
Files with: Ohio Secretary of State
Fee: $50 or petition in lieu of fee · Signatures: Signature requirement varies by district; petition in lieu of filing fee requires signatures of registered voters of the same party
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3513 - Candidate Filing Requirements · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Last verified Jul 13, 2026
Filing for U.S. House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Ohio Presidential Primary Election (Mar 21, 2028) closes Dec 22, 2027 at 4:00 PM America/New_York. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Ohio Legislature.
U.S. House of Representatives
Filing window: Closes
Candidacy method: Independent · Deadline type: Independent candidate filing
Write-in deadline: Nov 6, 2028
Files with: Ohio Secretary of State
Signatures: Signature requirement for independent candidates; number varies by district based on prior votes cast
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3513 - Candidate Filing Requirements · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Last verified Jul 13, 2026
Filing for U.S. House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Ohio General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Nov 6, 2028 at 4:00 PM America/New_York. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Ohio Legislature.
U.S. Senate
Filing window: Closes
Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing
Files with: Ohio Secretary of State
Fee: $150 or petition in lieu of fee · Signatures: At least 1,000 signatures of registered voters of the same party
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3513 - Candidate Filing Requirements · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Last verified Jul 13, 2026
Filing for U.S. Senate in Statewide for the 2028 Ohio Presidential Primary Election (Mar 21, 2028) closes Dec 22, 2027 at 4:00 PM America/New_York. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Ohio Legislature.
U.S. Senate
Filing window: Closes
Candidacy method: Independent · Deadline type: Independent candidate filing
Write-in deadline: Nov 6, 2028
Files with: Ohio Secretary of State
Signatures: At least 1,000 signatures of registered voters (for statewide office independent candidates)
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3513 - Candidate Filing Requirements · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Last verified Jul 13, 2026
Filing for U.S. Senate in Statewide for the 2028 Ohio General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Nov 6, 2028 at 4:00 PM America/New_York. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Ohio Legislature.
President of the United States
Filing window: Closes
Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing
Files with: Ohio Secretary of State
Fee: $200 or petition in lieu of fee · Signatures: At least 1,000 signatures of registered voters of the same party
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3513 - Candidate Filing Requirements · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Last verified Jul 13, 2026
Filing for President of the United States in Statewide for the 2028 Ohio Presidential Primary Election (Mar 21, 2028) closes Dec 22, 2027 at 4:00 PM America/New_York. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Ohio Legislature.
State Legislative
Ohio House of Representatives
Filing window: Closes
Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing
Files with: Board of Elections of the most populous county within the district
Fee: $25 or petition in lieu of fee · Signatures: Petition signature requirement depends on votes cast in the district in the last general election for governor; typically 50-100 signatures
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3513 - Candidate Filing Requirements · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Last verified Jul 13, 2026
Filing for Ohio House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Ohio Presidential Primary Election (Mar 21, 2028) closes Dec 22, 2027 at 4:00 PM America/New_York. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Ohio Legislature.
Ohio House of Representatives
Filing window: Closes
Candidacy method: Independent · Deadline type: Independent candidate filing
Write-in deadline: Nov 6, 2028
Files with: Board of Elections of the most populous county within the district
Signatures: Petition signature requirement based on votes cast in district in last general election; typically 50-100 signatures
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3513 - Candidate Filing Requirements · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Last verified Jul 13, 2026
Filing for Ohio House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Ohio General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Nov 6, 2028 at 4:00 PM America/New_York. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Ohio Legislature.
Ohio State Senate
Filing window: Closes
Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing
Files with: Board of Elections of the most populous county within the district
Fee: $50 or petition in lieu of fee · Signatures: Petition signature requirement depends on votes cast in the district; typically 100-200 signatures
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3513 - Candidate Filing Requirements · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Last verified Jul 13, 2026
Filing for Ohio State Senate in Statewide for the 2028 Ohio Presidential Primary Election (Mar 21, 2028) closes Dec 22, 2027 at 4:00 PM America/New_York. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Ohio Legislature.
Ohio State Senate
Filing window: Closes
Candidacy method: Independent · Deadline type: Independent candidate filing
Write-in deadline: Nov 6, 2028
Files with: Board of Elections of the most populous county within the district
Signatures: Petition signature requirement based on votes cast in district; typically 100-200 signatures
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3513 - Candidate Filing Requirements · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Last verified Jul 13, 2026
Filing for Ohio State Senate in Statewide for the 2028 Ohio General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Nov 6, 2028 at 4:00 PM America/New_York. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Ohio Legislature.
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Electbase compiles these dates from official state sources as a workflow aid. It is not legal advice. Confirm every deadline with your filing authority before you rely on it.
Last updated August 27, 2026