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Elections & Democracy
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Primaries & Candidate Choice
Explainer

Uncontested Primaries Are Not a One-Party Pattern

WP001 reports similarly high uncontested rates on Republican and Democratic legislative primary ballots in 2026.

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What This Graphic Shows

The graphic compares the uncontested share of Republican and Democratic General Assembly primary contests.

Key Takeaway

The high uncontested rate appeared on both major-party ballots rather than being confined to one party.

Verification Status:

Verified — Current

Last Verified:

September 23, 2026

Sources

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Ohio Common Ground Research Center

The Uncontested Majority: Competition — or Its Absence — in Ohio’s 2026 State Legislative Primaries

July 6, 2026
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Four in Five Ohio Legislative Primaries Were Uncontested

WP001 reports that 181 of 223 Republican and Democratic General Assembly party-primary contests in 2026 had only one candidate.

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In 75 of 116 Districts, Neither Party Had a Contested Primary

WP001 examines competition at the district level by asking whether either major party offered a contested primary.

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Uncontested Does Not Mean No One Voted

Some of Ohio's largest single-candidate legislative primaries still drew tens of thousands of votes.

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