Party labels return to Ohio Supreme Court general-election races
Four candidates are running for two Ohio Supreme Court seats in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Candidates' party affiliations will appear on the general-election ballot for the third time. Republicans currently hold a 6-1 majority on the court.
Ohio voters will choose between four candidates for two Supreme Court seats on Nov. 3, 2026. Justice Jennifer Brunner (D) faces Colleen O'Donnell (R), while Justice Dan Hawkins (R) faces Marilyn Zayas (D). This marks the third general election with party labels beside judicial candidates' names.
A 2021 state law changed ballot presentation: before it, Ohio judges went through party primaries but appeared without party labels in general elections. Republicans have controlled the court since 1986 and currently hold six of seven seats; depending on results, their majority could grow to 7-0 or narrow to 5-2.
Because court decisions can affect Ohioans' rights, businesses, and public institutions, the partisan makeup may matter to voters and litigants. Party labels could make judicial choices more visible and may encourage straight-ticket voting, potentially reshaping perceptions of judicial independence. The outcome may influence how groups view the court's legitimacy and how candidates campaign in future races.