Trump Urges Ohioans to Pass Voter ID Issue, Support GOP Candidates

VANDALIA, Ohio—Days before early voting begins in Ohio, President Donald Trump told a cheering crowd of 4,000 that they must support Republican candidates to ensure that the state continues its upward economic trend.

“We now have the most jobs and the lowest unemployment rate we’ve ever had in the history of Ohio,” Trump said Oct. 3 at the Butler–Vandalia Student Activity Center—his latest stop in a campaign blitz to support Republican candidates.

He also told Ohio supporters to vote for Issue 3, which would enshrine the state’s current voter-ID requirement in the state constitution.

Trump said Republican policies attract businesses, including Bayer, which just announced plans for a $2.2 billion pharmaceutical center in Columbus.

Ohio was named America’s best state for business this year—the first time the state earned that honor in CNBC’s annual rankings.

He also teased the audience with the possibility of locating the newly created U.S. National Space Academy in Ohio. “If we win the midterms, Ohio will be very, very strongly considered for this,” he said, noting that the state was home to the Wright Brothers, who pioneered powered flight.

Trump declared that Ohio is “booming” because of tariffs that he imposed. Virtually all U.S. states are thriving, he said, noting reduced crime rates thanks to halting illegal border crossings and deporting illegal immigrants who have criminal records.

Trump also pointed to stock-market record highs, higher 401(k) balances, record income levels, manufacturing job gains, and large private investment in U.S. factories.

The president added that his policies put more money in Americans’ pockets through tax cuts and by eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security income. And he repeated his call for $5,000 dividends to be paid to adult U.S. citizens if Republicans keep the House and Senate.

Exuberant Crowd

Trump’s Ohio visit came exactly a month before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, following rallies in Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama; other stops are planned.

Nearing the midpoint of his second and final term as president, Trump framed the midterm election as a chance to defeat “radical left” Democrats, including some who may be aligned with socialist or communist policies. Voter registration in Ohio closes on Oct. 5; early in-person voting begins on Oct. 6.

As the Ohio rallygoers repeatedly sprang to their feet, pumping fists, whistling, cheering, and stomping on the bleachers, Trump commended the crowd for its exuberant support. “I think they have more spirit here than at the Ohio State University’s football game,” he said.

Ohioans cheer for President Donald Trump at a midterm election rally on Oct. 3, 2026, in Vandalia, Ohio. Janice Hisle/The Epoch Times

The president urged attendees to translate that enthusiasm into votes. “Just get out and vote. If you do that, we’re going to win, and we’re going to win big,” the president said.

He also said they should pass the constitutional amendment requiring voters to present ID cards. “I love that,” he said, calling the measure “your chance to stop Democrat cheaters, fraudsters, and defend Ohio elections for your children and for your grandchildren.”

“So do not miss this chance. Vote yes on issue three to require voter ID,” Trump said.

Trump’s rally was intended to boost the Republican slate, particularly gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio)—both of whom face tight races against Democrats, according to recent polling.

Ramaswamy is running against former Ohio health director Dr. Amy Acton. The incumbent, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, cannot run again because of term limits.

Husted was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Vice President JD Vance when the latter joined the Trump administration.

Although Husted is new to Capitol Hill, he formerly served as Ohio’s lieutenant governor and secretary of state. Trump said that Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the majority leader, told him that Husted quickly became one of the most respected members of the U.S. Senate.

Husted’s opponent is former longtime Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)—whom Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) unseated in 2024.

Questioning Polls

Speaking about the upcoming midterms, Trump dismissed the accuracy of polls showing tight races for GOP candidates.

“Nobody counted on the fact that Trump was going to go out and campaign for all these people—because when I do, we win,” he said.

Although the RealClearPolitics average of opinion polls shows the president has a low approval rating of 38.2 percent, rallygoers and politicos who spoke to The Epoch Times said the president remains popular in Ohio. He won the state by 11 percentage points in the 2024 election against then-Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat.

Asked about support for Trump reportedly waning, rally attendee Matthew Jackson of Columbus said, “I haven’t seen that,” adding, “I’ve never seen this kind of excitement.”

Jackson, a firefighter and Navy veteran running for the Ohio House, said GOP grassroots-building efforts noticeably ramped up in August with door-knocking and texting campaigns. He thinks that could have whipped up the base that showed up Saturday.

Although dozens of protesters gathered outside the venue, inside “everyone was excited and welcoming,” Jackson said.

Jacob Sargent, the 27-year-old chairman of the Ohio Young Republicans, said he was unconcerned about recent unfavorable polling because he has often seen polls “underrepresenting Republicans” during his four years of campaign work.

Frequent Trump rally attendee Brenda White, wearing a giant hat with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan, cited a reason why it’s hard to accurately gauge support for Trump.

“People are still afraid to say that they’re Trump fans, and I don’t know why—because he’s the greatest president in my lifetime,” the 66-year-old Lorain woman said. “He truly is.”

Sarah Weidman (L) poses with her children, Hunter and Grace, after President Donald Trump’s midterm election rally on Oct. 3, 2026, in Vandalia, Ohio. Janice Hisle/The Epoch Times

‘We’re Fired Up’

Sargent further explained why he’s confident Republicans will do better than expected in the midterms.

While visiting all 88 counties in the state, he has seen a pattern: Democrats won elections in 2006 on the strength of support from Ohio’s Appalachian and working-class blocs.

“And that doesn’t exist anymore,” Sargent said. “The Democrats have completely abandoned that base, and they’re not going to be able to make up those numbers.”

Messaging from Acton and other Democrats has focused largely on affordability—an issue that is “absolutely the bread-and-butter of the American psyche when they go to the polls.”

But Sargent said conditions now are much better than they were under President Joe Biden in 2020–2024.

Jacob Sargent, chairman of the Ohio Young Republicans, poses outside President Donald Trump's midterm election rally on Oct. 3, 2026, in Vandalia, Ohio. Janice Hisle/The Epoch Times

Many costs have dropped or stabilized, he said, pointing out that Ramaswamy was instrumental in pushing lawmakers to adopt the 90-day state gasoline tax rollback now in effect.

“We’re seeing it getting better,” Sargent said, “and we have full faith and trust in our president and the Republican Party to continue to deliver those wins across the nation.”

The state boasts the largest federation of young Republicans in America, he said, with 1,300 members in 48 counties. Many were in attendance at the rally and led some of the chanting.

“We’re fired up,” Sargent said. “We’re ready for this election.”

Troy Myers contributed to this report.