October 28, 2026 | COLUMBUS, Ohio —
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton and U.S. Senate candidate Sherrod Brown are scheduled to appear at two campaign rallies in Columbus on Saturday, Oct. 31, and Monday, Nov. 2, as Ohio enters the final days before the November 3 general election.
The first event, a “Souls to the Polls” rally organized by U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. The second, a “Fighting for Ohio” rally, is scheduled for Monday evening, one day before Election Day.
Organizers have announced arrival times and registration information, but the precise venues were not publicly confirmed in the event notices reviewed Wednesday, Oct. 28.
When and where are the Columbus rallies?
According to the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA), the Oct. 31 Souls to the Polls rally will feature Acton and Brown as special guests.
The event is being presented by Beatty, a Columbus Democrat who represents Ohio’s 3rd Congressional District.
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees President Patrick Moran and former AFSCME President Lee Saunders are also scheduled to attend.
Doors are expected to open at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
A separate rally organized by Ohio Wins is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2, in Columbus.
The campaign’s official event listing provides the following details:
- Event: Fighting for Ohio Columbus Rally
- Date: Monday, November 2, 2026
- Doors open: 6:30 p.m.
- Program begins: 7 p.m.
- Scheduled conclusion: 8:30 p.m.
- Featured candidates: Amy Acton and Sherrod Brown
- Venue: Columbus location to be disclosed to registered attendees
Ohio Wins says the location will be provided approximately 24 hours before the event.
Attendance is first-come, first-served. Registration does not guarantee admission.
The event listing also warns attendees to expect airport-style security. Large bags, sharp objects, metal water bottles and homemade signs are prohibited, while cameras and cellphones are permitted.
Why are Amy Acton and Sherrod Brown holding rallies in Columbus?
The events are part of the Democratic Party’s final statewide voter-turnout effort ahead of Ohio’s November 3 general election.
Acton, Ohio’s former health director, is running for governor against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.
Brown, who served three terms in the U.S. Senate before losing reelection in 2024, is challenging Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Husted.
The gubernatorial election will determine who succeeds Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who cannot seek another consecutive term because of Ohio’s term limits.
The U.S. Senate election will determine who holds the seat previously occupied by Vice President JD Vance.
Both campaigns have emphasized economic issues and the cost of living.
Brown has focused on corporate influence, utility costs, health care expenses and his record of supporting organized labor.
Acton has campaigned on affordability, public services and her approach to state government.
Their Republican opponents have advanced different policy priorities. Ramaswamy has emphasized economic growth and government reform, while Husted has highlighted his experience in state government and the Republican policy agenda.
The Columbus appearances come after a series of joint campaign stops around Ohio.
Acton and Brown have held rallies in Cleveland, Akron and Dayton
Former President Barack Obama joined Acton and Brown at a rally in Cleveland on Saturday, Oct. 24.
The event took place at Cleveland Public Auditorium and attracted thousands of attendees, according to Cleveland.com.
Obama used the appearance to support Ohio Democratic candidates before the election.
Brown and Acton also campaigned in Akron on Oct. 25.
On Oct. 26, they appeared in Dayton at an event featuring Ohio-born musician John Legend.
The campaigns have scheduled additional stops around Ohio during the final week, including Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus.
The Columbus events are among the last announced appearances before voters head to the polls November 3.
What is the Souls to the Polls rally?
Souls to the Polls is a voter-engagement effort commonly associated with faith communities, civic organizations and organized transportation or group visits to voting locations.
The Columbus event on Oct. 31 is being presented by Beatty and supported by labor organizations participating in the final election turnout push.
OCSEA identified Acton and Brown as special guests, with AFSCME leaders Patrick Moran and Lee Saunders also scheduled to participate.
The event falls on the final Saturday of early in-person voting in Ohio.
The exact location and full speaking schedule were not confirmed in the public event announcements reviewed.
Where can Franklin County residents vote early?
Franklin County residents can vote early at the Franklin County Board of Elections, located at 1700 Morse Road, Columbus, OH 43229.
The board has published the following remaining early voting hours:
| Date | Voting hours |
| Wednesday, Oct. 28 | 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. |
| Thursday, Oct. 29 | 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. |
| Friday, Oct. 30 | 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, Oct. 31 | 8 a.m.–4 p.m. |
| Sunday, Nov. 1 | 1–5 p.m. |
Sunday, Nov. 1, is the final day of early in-person voting.
No early in-person voting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2, the date of the second Columbus campaign rally.
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Election Day polling places will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Voters must use their assigned Election Day polling locations rather than automatically going to the early voting center.
Ohio requires acceptable, unexpired photo identification for in-person voting. Voters who cannot present the required identification may be able to cast a provisional ballot, subject to the applicable verification requirements.
The deadline to register for this election was Oct. 5. The deadline for boards of elections to receive absentee ballot applications was Oct. 27.
Regular absentee ballots must be received by the appropriate county board of elections no later than 7:30 p.m. on November 3.
How can people attend the Columbus rally on November 2?
The Ohio Wins event listing allows prospective attendees to register online.
The campaign says the venue address will be supplied to registered attendees approximately 24 hours before the rally.
Organizers advise guests to limit personal belongings because of security screening.
Anyone requiring accessibility accommodations is instructed to respond to the event registration email.
The November 2 rally is a campaign event, not an official voting location.
What happens next?
Acton and Brown are scheduled to appear at the October 31 Souls to the Polls event before returning for the November 2 Fighting for Ohio rally.
Their appearances will take place during the final weekend and final full day of campaigning before the general election.
The candidates’ complete speaking schedules, the precise Columbus rally venues and any additional featured guests remain subject to updates from the organizers.
Ohio voters will decide the governor’s race, U.S. Senate contest and other state and local offices on Tuesday, November 3.
Sources
- NBC4 / WCMH — Acton, Brown Plan Vote Rally in Columbus, October 2026.
- Ohio Wins — Fighting for Ohio Columbus Rally, official event registration announcement.
- Ohio Civil Service Employees Association / OCSEA Votes — Attend an AFSCME GOTV Event in Final Election Push, Oct. 23, 2026.
- Associated Press — Reporting on Ohio’s 2026 gubernatorial and U.S. Senate campaigns.
- Cleveland.com — Reporting on the Oct. 24 Obama, Brown and Acton rally in Cleveland.
- Ohio Secretary of State — Official November 3, 2026, election calendar.
- Franklin County Board of Elections — Official absentee and early voting schedule.
Last updated: October 28, 2026.
Event times and locations may change. Columbus Frontline will update this report when organizers release additional verified information.