Fairfield, Ohio Ballot Guide: The November 3, 2026 Election
Fairfield voters have a school income tax, a statewide constitutional amendment and a countywide levy renewal on the November 3, 2026 ballot, along with races for governor and county offices. This guide covers what each issue does and the deadlines to know. It does not take a position on any of them.
At a glance
| Election Day | Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Ohio polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Registration deadline | Monday, October 5, 2026 |
| Early in-person voting | Starts Tuesday, October 6, 2026 |
| Absentee ballot request deadline | Tuesday, October 27, 2026 |
| Local school issue | Fairfield City School District, 1.25% earned income tax for five years |
| Statewide issue | Issue 3, a proposed constitutional amendment on voter identification |
| Countywide levy | Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services Board, 1-mill, 10-year renewal |
| Not on the ballot | The proposed amendment to abolish Ohio property taxes |
Fairfield City Schools: a 1.25% earned income tax
Fairfield City School District is asking voters to approve a 1.25% tax on earned income for five years. It is the district's second request this year. Voters rejected a 1.25% earned income tax with no end date in May 2026.
- What it taxes. The district says the tax applies to working wages. It does not apply to Social Security, disability benefits or investment income.
- What it costs. The district's example is $125 a year for every $10,000 of earned income. That works out to $625 on $50,000 of wages.
- Who pays. Ohio school district income taxes follow where you live, not where you work. A renter who lives in the district and earns wages pays the same rate as a homeowner.
- Why five years. District treasurer Jay Phillips told Local 12 that state property tax changes, a new governor and the next state budget make the future uncertain, and that a five-year term lets the community review the district's results.
- What the district says happens if it fails. Officials describe about $11 million in reductions for the next school year, including the potential loss of 169 jobs, fewer electives, larger classes and higher pay-to-play fees.
The district covers most of the City of Fairfield and most of Fairfield Township, plus small parts of the city of Hamilton. Your sample ballot shows whether you vote on it. Because it is an income tax, it is not part of the Butler County Auditor's property levy calculator.
Statewide Issue 3
Issue 3 is a proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution on voter identification. It will be on every Ohio ballot. The Ohio Capital Journal's explainer covers the full text and what a yes or no vote would do.
A countywide levy renewal
Every Butler County ballot includes a 10-year, 1-mill renewal levy for the Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services Board. Property owners can estimate what any property levy would cost on a specific parcel with the Auditor's online levy calculator: search the property at auditor.bcohio.gov, then open the calculator tab.
Voters in Fairfield Township, Hanover Township, Madison Township, New Miami and the Lakota Local School District have additional property levies of their own this fall.
What is not on the ballot
The proposed constitutional amendment to abolish Ohio property taxes did not make the 2026 ballot. Its organizers, the Committee to Abolish Ohio Property Taxes, said in June they had not gathered the signatures they wanted before the July 1 deadline. They plan to keep collecting for a possible November 2027 vote. Our guide to the 2026 reappraisal covers what did change for Butler County property taxes.
The dates that matter
- Monday, October 5: last day to register or update your address.
- Tuesday, October 6: early in-person voting begins at the Butler County Board of Elections.
- Tuesday, October 27: last day for the county board to receive an absentee ballot request.
- Tuesday, November 3: Election Day. Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Early voting hours change by week and include a final weekend. The Secretary of State publishes the full voting schedule.
Moved to Fairfield this year?
Ohio registers you at your home address, so a move means an update. You can register or change your address online through the Ohio Secretary of State until October 5. Coming from another state? The October 5 deadline applies to you as a new registration. Moved within Ohio and missed it? The Secretary of State's site explains how to vote a provisional ballot at your new polling place.
Bring photo identification. Ohio requires photo ID to vote in person, and the Secretary of State's website lists the IDs that qualify. The same site has a sample ballot lookup and a polling place finder.
Looking for an apartment in Fairfield? Fairfield Square has two-bedroom apartments and townhomes at 2080 Woodtrail Dr. Take a 360° tour, check availability or call or text (513) 392-8074.
Questions
What is the Fairfield City Schools levy on the November 2026 ballot?
A 1.25% earned income tax for five years. The district says it would apply to earned income such as wages, and not to Social Security, disability benefits or investment income. At that rate, a resident pays $125 a year for every $10,000 of earned income.
Do renters pay a school district income tax in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio school district income taxes are based on where you live, so a renter who lives in the district and has earned income pays the same rate as a homeowner.
Is the Ohio property tax abolition amendment on the November 2026 ballot?
No. Organizers did not file signatures for 2026 and say they are working toward November 2027.
What is the voter registration deadline for the November 3, 2026 election in Ohio?
Monday, October 5, 2026. If you moved, update your address with the Ohio Secretary of State by the same date.
Do I need ID to vote in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio requires photo identification to vote in person. The Secretary of State's website lists the IDs that qualify.
Sources
- WVXU, "Fairfield City School District places earned income tax levy on November ballot", wvxu.org, July 28, 2026
- WKRC Local 12, "Tri-State school district seeks 5-year income tax levy after previous defeat, warn of cuts", local12.com, September 9, 2026
- Butler County Auditor, "Auditor's Levy Calculator is Available Online", auditor.bcohio.gov, September 2026
- Ohio Capital Journal, "What is Issue 3 on the Ohio ballot?", ohiocapitaljournal.com, July 29, 2026
- Ohio Municipal League, "Property Tax Abolition Initiative Won't Be on 2026 Ballot", omlohio.org, June 5, 2026
- Ohio Secretary of State, voter information, ohiosos.gov, read September 28, 2026
Published by Fairfield Square, managed by TLP Property Management. We check every fact in our guides against the sources listed above; business hours, prices and event dates change, so confirm with the business or organizer before you go. Spot something out of date? Call or text (513) 392-8074.
