2026 Election Recap: Results Across Cuyahoga, Summit and Portage Counties

November 4, 2026

Northeast Ohio voters headed to the polls November 3 to decide local races and ballot issues that will have an impact on housing, property rights, and the communities where our members live and work.

The Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS® (ACAR) followed several county-level races and local ballot initiatives throughout Cuyahoga, Summit, and Portage Counties. Here is a look at the results and what they mean moving forward.

Akron Issues 11 and 12: Both Pass

Akron voters approved both housing-related charter amendments, Issues 11 and 12.

Issue 11 – Security Deposits and Rental Application Fees

Issue 11 allows tenants to pay security deposits in installments over three or six months and prohibits rental application fees, including fees for credit checks, background checks, and application processing.

Issue 12 – Criminal History as a Protected Class

Issue 12 adds criminal history to the list of protected characteristics in housing and real estate transactions, with certain exceptions. It also establishes new enforcement provisions and potential penalties.

ACAR supported fair housing, equal access, and efforts to reduce barriers to housing but opposed both amendments as written. Concerns included additional costs for housing providers, enforcement provisions, and regulatory uncertainty.

With both amendments approved, ACAR will continue monitoring implementation and working with local officials to understand the impact on housing providers, property owners, renters, and the broader Akron housing market.

Peninsula Issue 47: Short-Term Rental Prohibition Rejected

Peninsula voters rejected Issue 47, an advisory ballot question asking whether the village should prohibit short-term rentals of fewer than 30 consecutive days when the property owner does not live on-site.

The question was advisory, meaning the outcome does not independently change village law.

ACAR opposed the proposed prohibition and supported reasonable regulations addressing concerns such as noise, parking and public safety without eliminating an entire property use.

The outcome keeps the discussion of short-term rental regulations relevant for Peninsula and other communities considering similar restrictions.

County-Level Election Results

ACAR’s RPAC Trustees reviewed local races in Cuyahoga, Summit and Portage Counties. Candidates receiving support participated in a process that included questions about issues affecting the real estate industry.

ACAR did not endorse candidates. As a bipartisan organization, ACAR works with elected officials across party lines.

Here is how the candidates ACAR followed fared on Election Day.

Cuyahoga County

Michael Gallagher – County Council, District 5

Michael Gallagher was unsuccessful in his reelection bid. Democrat Courtney Scheff defeated the incumbent, receiving 52.86% of the vote to Gallagher’s 47.14%.

Christine McIntosh – County Council, District 11

Christine McIntosh was elected to the County Council, receiving 79.59% of the vote.

Summit County

All three ACAR-supported candidates for Summit County Council at-large secured their seats.

• Elizabeth Walters – Elected
• John Donofrio – Elected
• Erin Dickinson – Elected

All three will continue serving on Summit County Council.

Portage County

Mike Tinlin – County Commissioner

Incumbent Mike Tinlin lost his reelection bid to Democrat Jenny D. Adams.

Adams received 33,308 votes to Tinlin’s 31,171 and will take the commissioner seat in January 2027.

Matt Kelly – County Auditor

Matt Kelly won reelection as Portage County Auditor. Kelly ran unopposed in the November general election.

Looking Ahead

The November election brings both new and returning faces to local government across ACAR’s three-county service area.

For ACAR, the work does not stop after Election Day. Building relationships with elected officials, staying engaged in local policy discussions and making sure the real estate industry’s perspective is part of the conversation remain important parts of our advocacy efforts.

We look forward to working with newly elected and returning officials on housing, property rights, economic development and policies that affect our members and the communities they serve.

ACAR’s commitment remains the same: advocating for strong communities, responsible housing policies and opportunities for homeownership throughout Northeast Ohio.