Ohio’s confidence in our elections is a model for the nation

By Zack Space
Former Congressman
D-Ohio

Over the past few years, too many Americans have grown to distrust our elections. But in Ohio, voters are sending a different message: We trust the process.

With the 2026 midterms already on the horizon, new polling released by the Democracy Defense Project shows that more than 70% of Ohio voters are confident that the 2024 elections were accurately cast and counted, both here at home and across the nation. They also believe our system is secure from fraud, hacking, and other threats.

This affirms what those of us who have committed much of our professional lives to the integrity of the system already know: In Ohio, our elections are run smoothly and fairly, and votes count.

While this is great news, it doesn’t mean there’s no room for improvement.

The polling also found that Ohioans across party lines support sensible reforms to strengthen election integrity. The Ohio General Assembly is currently considering several elections-focused bills, most of which have bipartisan co-sponsors. As an example, legislation to protect the safety of, and increase recruitment for, poll workers enjoys broad bipartisan support with both Democrats and Republicans calling it a very important priority.

At a time when our politics feel so polarizing, it’s important to recognize that these issues aren’t partisan talking points. They’re areas where Democrats, Republicans, and Independents can work together.

Like many others, I am deeply concerned about the divisiveness of our politics. That’s one reason I’ve been proud to work across the aisle with people like Ken Blackwell, a Republican and former Ohio Secretary of State. We don’t agree on much politically, but we very strongly agree that Americans deserve to have faith in their elections.

Ultimately, the best measure of trust in the system is voter participation. When people believe their voices matter, they show up. My hope is that, regardless of who wins an election, we can move forward together. It's natural to be disappointed in the outcome if your candidate of choice loses.  

But even if you don’t like the outcome, know that the electorate has spoken, and their votes have been counted by a system that enjoys remarkable accuracy and transparency. Efforts by sore-loser candidates and their followers to cast spurious doubts about the outcome of elections only serve to divide us and call into question the integrity of our electoral process. Honor our strong democratic tradition by looking instead to the next election. 

In Ohio, we’re setting an example for the rest of the country: safeguard the vote, keep it secure, and trust the process. If we can hold on to that, our democracy will be just fine.

Zack Space (D-OH) is a former U.S. Congressman serving eastern Ohio and a board member of the Democracy Defense Project. DDP is led by a bipartisan group of former elected officials and leaders in Ohio and other key battleground states who will work to defend the transparency, safety, security and validity of our nation’s electoral system.