The Matriots’ comprehensive list of Elected Offices in Ohio.
This list is organized by level of office (Statewide, State Legislature, Countywide, City, and Village) and then alphabetically within each level.
Not sure what you can run for? Or what you are voting for? Read through this list for a better understanding. Afterwards, be sure to check out our Resource Guide if you haven’t already.
Statewide
The Attorney General is Ohio’s top lawyer and is elected every four years. They give legal advice to state government offices, represent the state in court, and handle appeals in criminal cases. The Attorney General also works to protect consumers, fight fraud and scams, and take legal action against organized crime. They can help local police when needed and make sure money owed to the state gets collected.
Term: 4 years, Full-Time
Transferable Skills: Strategic leadership, legal and policy analysis, negotiation, and public communication.
Requirements: While not specifically required, it is customary for the Attorney General to be a licensed attorney.
Applicable Professional Experience: prosecutor or government attorney, legal counsel or compliance professional, consumer protection or public advocate attorney.
The Governor leads the state government. The Governor decides the state budget, then shares it with other government entities to decide whether to follow through with it. They will pick directors and members to be a part of specific parts of the government (other than the Board of Elections). The Governor decides whether a law is put into effect.
Term: 4 years, Full-Time
Transferable Skills: Leadership, money management, organization, interpersonal, decisive, analytical.
Applicable Professional Experience: executive or organizational leader, attorney or public policy professional, former elected or appointed official.
The Secretary of State leads the election process and selects people to help with the voting process in all of Ohio. The Secretary of State makes sure election laws are being followed and looks at positive changes for the state. The Secretary helps decide how things are added to the ballot and counts the votes after all voting is done. The Secretary of State is also in charge of creating a clear path for citizens to see government information.
Term: 4 years, Full-Time
Transferable Skills: Interpersonal communication, decisive, knowledge of the common citizen’s literary experience, and transparency.
Applicable Professional Experience: elections or campaign administration professional, business or non-profit executive, public policy professional.
The State Auditor is elected every four years and acts as a watchdog over how public money is spent. This office checks the finances of cities, counties, schools, state agencies, and other government offices across Ohio to make sure tax dollars are used properly. The Auditor looks for waste, fraud, or mismanagement to help keep government efficient and accountable.
Term: 4 years, Full-Time
Transferable Skills: Analytical thinking and problem-solving, attention to detail and accuracy, oversight, and accountability.
Applicable Professional Experience: auditor or accountant, financial compliance professional, government finance or oversight staff.
The Ohio State Board of Education has a say in how K-12 schools on run, who leads a school through the superintendent position, what is taught in schools, and how much money is needed to run the schools. More things the Board of Education does are shown in Article VI, Section 4 of the Ohio Constitution.
Term: 4 years, Part-Time
Transferable Skills: Leadership, decisive, interpersonal, and financial literacy.
Applicable Professional Experience: educator or school administrator, education policy or advocacy professional, community leader.
Requirements: You cannot hold an elected or appointed government position or be a school employee while serving on the board.
The Ohio State Treasurer is Ohio’s chief financial officer and is elected every four years. They manage the state’s money, invest it wisely, and act as the state’s banker. The treasurer helps protect taxpayers’ dollars, keeps track of unclaimed property (like forgotten bank accounts), gives financial advice to state agencies, and offers financial education to Ohioans.
Term: 4 years,
Transferable Skills: Financial planning and stewardship, risk assessment and decision-making, long-term strategic thinking.
Applicable Professional Experience: finance or investment professional, banking executive, or fiscal management.
State Legislature
State Representatives listen to their citizens and share their opinions on the community to better it. State Representatives work very closely with each other and create strong work relationships together. State Representatives divide and work on specific topics that interest them in bettering their community through committees. Among other things, State Representatives look at laws the State Senate creates and decide if the state needs them. State Representatives share their opinions and views with each other and their citizens.
Term: 2 years, Part-Time
Transferable Skills: Listening, transparency, interpersonal, self-motivation, analytical, and decisive.
Requirements: Must be a resident of the district you wish to represent and have resided in said district for at least a year.
Applicable Professional Experience: community advocate or organizer, small business owner, policy, education, or public service professional.
The Ohio State Senate leads the government for Ohio beside the Ohio House of Representatives. The State Senate creates laws and decides where money goes in Ohio, along with the Governor. The State Senate can decide taxes and can agree or disagree with the Governor, turning down a new law.
Term: 4 years, Full-Time
Transferable Skills: Interpersonal communication, literary mindset, strong morality, analytical, financial literacy, and decisive.
Requirements: Must be a resident of the district you wish to represent and have resided in said district for at least a year.
Applicable Professional Experience: small business owner or executive, attorney or policy professional, community leader.
Countywide
The County Auditor acts like the head bookkeeper for the county. They manage the county’s money, pay the bills, and make sure tax dollars get to schools, cities, libraries, and other local services. The Auditor also sets property values and helps figure out how much property tax each person owes. Once taxes are collected, the Auditor makes sure the money is divided fairly among local governments and agencies that rely on it.
Term: 4 years, Full-Time
Transferable Skills: Financial literacy and management, problem-solving and decision-making, organizational and record-keeping skills.
Applicable Professional Experience: Accountant or Bookkeeper, Banking or Finance professional.
The County Clerk helps keep track of important life events like births, marriages, and deaths. They may also issue licenses, permits, and help answer questions from the public. Depending on the county, they might be elected or appointed to the job. The Clerk of Courts manages records for the county court system. They keep track of court cases, handle legal documents, and collect court fees. In Ohio, they also help process car and boat titles.
Term: 4 years, Full-Time
Transferable Skills: Strong communication skills, familiarity with legal documents and processes, time management, and multitasking.
Applicable Professional Experience: Office administration, records or document management work, and customer service.
The County Commissioners create plans for the county and helps them become reality. They sort the county’s money, keep the county property nice and updated, and help grow the community in positive ways. They look at the yearly budget and assist in tax decisions. County Commissioners might buy or sell land, buildings, and property for the county.
Term: 4 years, Full/Part- time depending on the county.
Transferable Skills: Organization, Self-Motivation, Financial literacy and management, multitasking, open to new ideas.
Applicable Professional Experience: School Board or PTA member, and small business owner.
Bonus content: A Matriots Summer 2025 intern interviewed a County Commissioner about how federal issues affect local communities and the role County Commissioners play in addressing those impacts. Check it out here!
The County Coroner looks into deaths that happen in unusual or suspicious ways. They figure out how and why someone died and issue the official death certificate. In Ohio, they also investigate the sudden deaths of healthy children under two and individuals with developmental disabilities who pass away in their area.
Term: 4 years, Full-Time
Transferable Skills: Ability to interpret medical and legal information, Report writing, and documentation.
Applicable Professional Experience: Physician or medical examiner, forensic or pathology professional, or public health professional.
Requirements: Licensed physician in Ohio, forensic or pathology specialization recommended.
The County Engineer takes care of building and maintaining roads, bridges, and drainage systems in the county. They ensure that county and township roads are safe and in good condition. They also give advice to township officials about road repairs and help manage drainage projects like ditches.
Term: 4 years, Full-Time
Transferable Skills: Civil engineering and construction knowledge, project management, budgeting, infrastructure planning, problem solving, and understanding of public safety and environmental regulations.
Applicable Professional Experience: civil or transportation engineer, construction or project manager, and utilities professional.
Requirements: Must be a registered professional engineer and surveyor in Ohio.
The County Prosecutor works with police to bring criminal charges against people who break the law. They also represent the county and townships in legal matters, speak up for crime victims and their families, and make sure justice is served- even if that means proving someone is innocent. The prosecutor also supports programs that help keep the community safe.
Term: 4 years, Full-Time
Transferable Skills: Legal research and courtroom experience. Criminal law knowledge, public speaking, strategic thinking, and leadership
Applicable Professional Experience: Attorney or public defender, legal aid or advocate, assistant prosecutor
Requirements: Must be a licensed attorney admitted to practice law in Ohio.
The County Recorder records deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, and other written instruments.
Term: 4 years, Full-Time
Transferable Skills: Organization and record keeping, familiarity with real estate documents and legal terminology. Attention to detail and accuracy.
Applicable Professional Experience: Records or data management professional, real estate professional, or office administrator.
The County Sheriff is the top law enforcement officer in the county. They run the county jail, keep the peace, and help protect the community. The Sheriff also works with the courts by delivering legal documents, providing security during trials, and making arrests when needed. If there is a serious situation, the sheriff can call on extra help from people in the county to get the job done.
Term: 4 years, Full-Time
Transferable Skills: Crisis response and public safety coordination. Community outreach and communication. Court procedure and legal documentation. Decision-making under pressure.
Applicable Professional Experience: Law enforcement officer, corrections officer.
Requirements: Must be a certified law enforcement officer.
The County Treasurer is like the county’s banker. They collect property taxes (both current and overdue), manage the county’s money, and make sure funds get sent to schools, townships, and other local services. The treasurer also invests county funds and works closely with the auditor to make sure the money is available when needed. One of their main jobs is making sure taxes are collected and handled responsibly.
Term: 4 years, Full/Part-Time depending on county
Transferable Skills: Financial organization, budgeting and cash-flow management, attention to detail, and accountability.
Applicable Professional Experience: Accountant, Financial Analyst, Banking professional, Government budget staff.
County Council and Executive is exclusive to Cuyahoga County. The Cuyahoga County Council makes laws with its 11 representatives, who are voted in. The Council makes decisions on how the Country works and is run. The Council acts as a bridge for the government and the people of the county. With the people responsible for the approval of laws, the County Council is able to make a difference in the county.
Term: 4 years, Full-Time
Transferable Skills: Decisive, Interpersonal/Social Skills, Communication.
Applicable Professional Experience: Small business owner, community organizer, non-profit leader, public administrator.
County Council and Executive is exclusive to Summit County and differs from Cuyahoga. The Summit County Council looks at and works on the county’s budget for the year. The Council looks at the county’s programs and divisions to see how to make them better. The Council sees the trouble in the county and works to better it, including through the laws and supplies of the county. The members of the council ask people how to better the community and ask for their help in programming. The Council decides which laws should be put into place.
Term: 4 years, Full-Time
Transferable Skills: Financial literacy and management, organization, self-motivation, interpersonal communication, and decision-making.
Applicable Professional Experience: Small business owner, community organizer, non-profit leader, public administrator.
Township
Township Fiscal Officers keep the township records organized and recorded. They work with trustees to make financial decisions and keep the township’s money safe. Fiscal Officers attend trustee meetings and assist in administrative duties for the township.
Term: 4 years, Full & Part- Time
Transferable Skills: Communication, Interpersonal, Organized, Good Listening, Financial Literacy.
Applicable Professional Experience: accounting or payroll professional, office or records administrator, or budgeting staff.
A Township Trustee works on designing a budget, placing rules on safety and health, and manage and lead programs. Trustees develop projects to better the community through fixing roads, creating parks, and more. All decisions by the Township Trustee Board is created through the whole, not an individual.
Term: 4 years, Part-Time
Transferable Skills: Communication, Interpersonal, Analytical, ability to delegate, decisive, good listening, financial literacy, and creative.
Applicable Professional Experience: Community leader or volunteer, small business owner, local advisory board member.
City
The City Auditor is in charge of knowing and keeping the budget organized. The City Auditor must keep a record of any change to the budget and be able to present this information to multiple individuals. They should be able to communicate well with the public and with each section of the city government.
Term: 4 years, Full-Time
Transferable Skills: Math skills, money management, communication, public speaking, organized, and personable.
Applicable Professional Experience: Accountant or auditor, financial analyst, government compliance.
The City Clerk keeps track of everything the City Council does. They organize laws being proposed, make sure they go to the right committee, and help prepare for council meetings. The clerk also records what happens in those meetings and stores all official records safely.
Term: 4 years, Full-Time
Transferable Skills: Records and document management, clear communication, and organizational skills.
Applicable Professional Experience: municipal or office administrator, election or records volunteer, customer service.
City Council members are elected to decide on rules, taxes, and hiring city officials. They work on planning and land usage. City council members help to come up with solutions to problems with services the city will provide, like taxes, the budget, licensing, and business dealings. They also have a say in city officials and employees’ pay. A different amount serves for every city.
Term: 4 years, Part-Time
Transferable Skills: Communication, money management, interpersonal, analytical, and creative.
Applicable Professional Experience: community advocate, small business leader, PTA.
The City Director of Law creates legal documents that involve the city. They would serve as legal counsel for the city and as the prosecuting attorney for the Mayor’s court.
Term: 4 years,
Transferable Skills: Analytical, Legal history, cultural and environmental awareness, self-motivation, interpersonal, and decisive.
Applicable Professional Experience: attorney or legal counsel, public sector or municipal law professional, compliance or regulatory specialist.
Requirements: Must be a licensed attorney with at least 5 years of experience.
The City Finance Director is in charge of managing the city’s money. They help the mayor create the city’s yearly budget and make sure all spending is tracked and approved properly. They also oversee things like payroll for city workers, employee benefits, and purchasing for city departments. This role helps keep the city’s finances organized and running smoothly.
Term: 4 years, Full-Time
Transferable Skills: Fiscal planning and analysis, strategic decision-making, leadership, and team management.
Applicable Professional Experience: finance or accounting manager, budget or fiscal analyst.
A City Mayor will ensure that rules and laws are being executed, advise the city council, know the most current budgeting decisions and issues, prepare documents and communicate them and their issues to the council, ensure the city departments are doing what they need to, and help the council wherever needed.
Term: 4 years, Full/Part-Time depending on county
Transferable Skills: Public speaking, interpersonal, analytical, forward thinking, writing ability, and organization.
Applicable Professional Experience: Small business owner or executive, former council member, or public administrator.
The City Treasurer receives information regarding money from the County Treasurer about county taxes. They will also get information from the City and County Auditor regarding the city’s money and payments. The City Treasurer ensures that they receive money from fines, penalties, and other forms of financial compensation. This position works heavily with the City Auditor. Must be able to keep financial records and present them when needed.
Term: 4 years,
Transferable Skills: Interpersonal, money management, presentation skills, and organization.
Applicable Professional Experience: Accounting or finance professional, government budget or fiscal staff.
Village
The Village Board of Trustees of Public Affairs is in charge of waterworks, electric light plants, gas, and other public utilities.
Term: 4 years, Part-Time
Transferable Skills: Interpersonal, management, leadership, analytical.
Applicable Professional Experience: Small business owner, community or civic organization leader, local board or advisory committee member.
The Village Clerk-Treasurer keeps track of the village’s money and official records. They collect taxes and court fees, pay the villages’ bills, and make sure everything is recorded properly. They also help run village council meetings and report regularly on how village funds are being used and invested. This role combines both financial and administrative duties.
Term: 4 years, Part-Time
Transferable Skills: Organization and record keeping, basic budgeting and financial tracking, and a clear communicator.
Applicable Professional Experience: Office or municipal administrator, payroll professional, records or data management professional.
Village Council members are to meet consistently, put rules in place, discuss the positives and negatives of each, think of the general public and what could better them, and divide into groups to focus on specific village issues.
Term: 4 years, Full/Part-Time depending on village.
Transferable Skills: Interpersonal, altruistic, good communication.
Applicable Professional Experience: Community advocate or neighborhood leader, small business leader, non-profit leader.
Village Mayor is to lead the village and instill peace. The Mayor helps with creating rules and leads meetings, they lead the administration of the village, complete what the council gives to them, ensure that rules are enforced, read, analyze, and sign documents concerning the village, appoint individuals to offices for the village unless it is an elected office, and supervise/manage village offices.
Term: 4 years, Part-Time
Transferable Skills: Organization, communication, interpersonal, leadership, public speaking, community/Village knowledge.
Applicable Professional Experience: Small business owner or executive, former council member, or board member.
A Village Treasurer receives village taxes and county information from the county treasurer. They collect money from the mayor’s court and dues from the village. The village treasurer must keep detailed records of all financial transactions and present them accurately when needed.
Term: 4 years, Full/Part-Time depending on Village
Transferable Skills: Communication, interpersonal, and money management.
Applicable Professional Experience: Bookkeeper or accounting professional, municipal finance, or administrative staff.
