Licking County is part of NewsForce247’s Central Ohio coverage region, with the city of Newark as its county seat.
This page is Licking County’s complete guide to the Tuesday, November 3, 2026 general election: everything on the county’s ballots, where and when to vote, and — after polls close on election night — the results, race by race, as the Licking County Board of Elections and the Ohio Secretary of State report them.
Every race, candidate, and issue below comes from the Licking County Board of Elections’ official records and Ohio Secretary of State publications. Depending on where you live in the county, your ballot will include the county-wide items plus your school district, township, and village or city items.
On Your Ballot — Licking County Offices
2 county offices are on the 2026 ballot. 1 of them is contested.
- County Auditor (Full term (commencement date not stated in the BOE certified candidate list)): Michael L. Smith (Republican) — unopposed
- County Commissioner (Full term (commencement date not stated in the BOE certified candidate list)) — Contested: Kathy McLeish (Democratic) vs. Mark A. Van Buren (Republican)
On Your Ballot — Judgeships
- Justice of the Supreme Court (Full term commencing 1-1-2027) — Contested: Daniel R. Hawkins (Republican) vs. Marilyn Zayas (Democratic)
- Justice of the Supreme Court (Full term commencing 1-2-2027) — Contested: Jennifer Brunner (Democratic) vs. Colleen O’Donnell (Republican)
- Judge of the Court of Appeals (5th District) (Full term commencing 2-9-2027): Matthew George (Republican) — unopposed
- Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (General Division) (Full term (commencement date not stated in the BOE certified candidate list)): Thomas M. Marcelain — unopposed
- Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (Probate/Juvenile Division) (Full term (commencement date not stated in the BOE certified candidate list)) — Contested: Michael Dalsanto vs. Deborah G. Lang
- Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (Domestic Relations Division) (Full term (commencement date not stated in the BOE certified candidate list)) — Contested: Robert D. Essex vs. Richard P. Wright
On Your Ballot — Congress and the Statehouse
- Representative to Congress (12th District) — Contested: Jerrad Christian (Democratic) vs. Troy Balderson (Republican) (all Licking County ballots)
- State Representative (68th District) — Contested: Mason Blankenship (Democratic) vs. Thad Claggett (Republican) (part of Licking County)
- State Representative (69th District) — Contested: Amy Rigsby (Democratic) vs. Kevin D. Miller (Republican) (part of Licking County)
On Your Ballot — Issues and Levies
County-wide issues (every Licking County ballot)
- Park district levy renewal. A renewal property tax for the Licking Park District for the purpose of parks, trails, and recreational purposes, that the county auditor estimates will collect $2,274,412 annually, at a rate not exceeding 0.375 mill for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $10 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value, for a period of 5 years, commencing in 2027, first due in calendar year 2028.
School district issues (only on ballots in that district)
- Income tax replacement (0.75% to 2% earned income). Income tax replacement: ‘Shall the existing tax of 0.75% on the school district income of individuals imposed by the Southwest Licking Local School District be replaced by a tax of 2% on the earned income of individuals residing in the school district for a continuing period of time, beginning January 1, 2027, for the purpose of paying the cost of current operating expenses? If the new tax is not approved, the existing tax will remain in effect under its original authority, for the remainder of its previously approved term.’ The filed ballot language states no auditor’s estimated annual collection for this income tax.
- $80,710,000 bond issue. A bond issue for the purpose of constructing school facilities and renovating, repairing, expanding, improving, and constructing additions to school facilities; furnishing and equipping the same; improving the sites thereof; and acquiring real estate and interests therein, in the principal amount of $80,710,000, to be repaid annually over a maximum period of 35 years, with an annual levy of property taxes outside the ten-mill limitation estimated by the county auditor to average over the repayment period 2.87 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $100 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027, to pay the annual debt charges on the bonds, and to pay debt charges on any notes issued in anticipation of those bonds.
- Library levy renewal. A renewal property tax for the benefit of the Pataskala Public Library, Licking and Fairfield Counties, Ohio, for the purpose of current expenses of the Library, that the County Auditor estimates will collect $901,850 annually, at a rate not exceeding 1 mill for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $21 for each $100,000 of the County Auditor’s market value, for 5 years, commencing in 2027, first due in calendar year 2028. (The library is a school-district public library; the levy appears in 18 Licking County precincts and overlaps into Fairfield County.)
City and village issues
- Charter amendment — emergency resolutions. Charter amendment: ‘Shall Sections 4.06, 4.07, and 4.08 be amended to remove all provisions for emergency resolutions and to provide that any resolution shall take effect, unless a later time be specified therein, immediately upon its passage?’ The question carries no tax.
- Charter amendment — Planning Commission rezoning deadline. Charter amendment: ‘Shall Section 4.12 of the Charter of the City of Heath be amended to extend, from 30 days to 60 days, the deadline for the Planning Commission to cause rezoning ordinances or resolutions to be returned to the Clerk of Council together with the Commission’s written recommendations?’ The question carries no tax.
- Charter amendment — publication of ordinances. Charter amendment: ‘Shall applicable sections of the Charter of the City of Heath be amended to allow municipal ordinances, resolutions, statements, orders, proclamations, notices, and reports to be published in accordance with Ohio Revised Code section 731.21 and to strike an unconstitutional provision in section 4.13 of the Charter?’ The question carries no tax.
- Charter amendment — Charter Revision Commission package. Charter amendment: ‘Shall Sections 3.02 (Composition, Term and Qualifications of Council), 4.14 (Publication of Ordinances and Resolutions), 5.04 (City Administrator), 5.05 (Powers of City Administrator), 6.02 (Director of Finance), 6.03 (Other Administrative Departments), 8.02 (Contracting Powers and Procedures), 9.01 (Nominations), 10.02 (Recall), and 11.01 (Removal of Officials) be amended as recommended by the Charter Revision Commission?’ The question carries no tax.
- Charter amendment — salaries of elected officials. Charter amendment: ‘Shall Section 3.07 (Salaries of Elected Officials) be amended as recommended by the Charter Revision Commission?’ The question carries no tax.
- Charter amendment — Parks and Recreation Board. Charter amendment: ‘Shall Section 7.04 (Parks and Recreation Board) be amended as recommended by the Charter Revision Commission?’ The question carries no tax.
- Charter amendment — data center prohibition. Charter amendment: ‘Shall Section 11.09 (Prohibition of a Data Center) be added thereby prohibiting the construction of a data center within the City limits?’ The question carries no tax.
- Operating levy renewal. A renewal property tax for the Village of Buckeye Lake for the purpose of current operating expenses, that the county auditor estimates will collect $409,214 annually, at a rate not exceeding 5 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $105 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value, for a period of 5 years, commencing in 2027, first due in calendar year 2028. (The village overlaps into Fairfield County.)
- Fire and EMS levy renewal. A renewal property tax for the Village of Hanover for the purpose of fire protection and emergency medical services in the Village, that the county auditor estimates will collect $41,644 annually, at a rate not exceeding 1.5 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $30 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value, for a period of 5 years, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027.
- Charter amendment — data center prohibition. Charter amendment: ‘Shall Section 10.12 (Prohibition of a Data Center) be added thereby prohibiting the construction of a data center within the Village limits?’ (the filed issues list prints ‘within the City limits’). The question carries no tax.
- Local liquor option — Johnstown Duchess. Local option for the Johnstown A precinct: Sunday sale of wine and mixed beverages, off-premise sales, by Englefield, Inc., dba Johnstown Duchess, at 233 W. Coshocton St., Johnstown, OH 43031.
- Local liquor option — Granville Milling Country Store. Local option for the Johnstown B precinct: Sunday sale of wine and mixed beverages, off-premise sales, by Granville Milling Co., known as Granville Milling Company Country Store, at 11891 Johnstown-Utica Rd., Johnstown, OH 43031.
- Local liquor option — Union St. Duchess. Local option for the Newark 2-B precinct: Sunday sale of wine and mixed beverages, off-premise sales, by Englefield, Inc., dba Union St. Duchess, at 224 Union St., Newark, OH 43055.
- Local liquor option — Mill Wheel Tavern. Local option for the Newark 2-B precinct: Sunday sale of wine and mixed beverages and spirituous liquor, on-premise sales, by Newarks Gateway South, Inc., dba Mill Wheel Tavern (Naughty Pine Pizza), at 495 Wehrle Ave., Newark, OH 43055.
- Local liquor option — Etna Duchess. Local option for the Etna Township C precinct: Sunday sale of wine and mixed beverages, off-premise sales, by Englefield, Inc., dba Etna Duchess, at 10202 Hazelton Etna Rd. SW, Pataskala (Etna Township), OH 43062.
Township and fire district issues
- Fire and EMS levy renewal. A renewal property tax for Bowling Green Township for the purpose of fire protection and emergency medical services, that the county auditor estimates will collect $44,234 annually, at a rate not exceeding 1 mill for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $20 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value, for a period of 5 years, commencing in 2027, first due in calendar year 2028.
- Fire and EMS levy renewal. A renewal property tax for Eden Township for the purpose of fire protection and emergency medical services, that the county auditor estimates will collect $33,022 annually, at a rate not exceeding 1 mill for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $29 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value, for a period of 5 years, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027.
- Greenspace levy renewal. A renewal property tax for Granville Township for the purpose of protecting or preserving ‘greenspace’, that the county auditor estimates will collect $362,731 annually, at a rate not exceeding 1 mill for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $21 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value, for a period of 5 years, commencing in 2027, first due in calendar year 2028.
- Fire and EMS levy renewal. A renewal property tax for Hanover Township for the purpose of fire protection and emergency medical services, that the county auditor estimates will collect $103,694 annually, at a rate not exceeding 1 mill for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $26 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value, for a period of 5 years, commencing in 2027, first due in calendar year 2028.
- Additional fire and EMS levy (continuing). An additional property tax for Licking Township for the purpose of fire protection and emergency medical services, that the county auditor estimates will collect $1,084,469 annually, at a rate not exceeding 4 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $140 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value, for a continuing period of time, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027.
- Fire and EMS levy renewal. A renewal property tax for Mary Ann Township for the purpose of fire protection and emergency medical services, that the county auditor estimates will collect $88,270 annually, at a rate not exceeding 1.5 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $42 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value, for a period of 5 years, commencing in 2027, first due in calendar year 2028.
- Additional road levy. An additional property tax for Newark Township for the purpose of general construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repair of streets, roads and bridges, that the county auditor estimates will collect $174,566 annually, at a rate not exceeding 1.5 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $53 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value, for a period of 5 years, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027.
- Proposed zoning plan. A proposed zoning plan: a resolution of the Township of Perry, Licking County, Ohio, enacted in accordance with its comprehensive plan and the provisions of Chapter 519 of the Ohio Revised Code, for the purpose of establishing zoning regulations for the unincorporated territory of the Township of Perry; to conserve and protect property values and rights; to secure the most appropriate use of land; to guide the orderly development of agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial areas; and to promote the public health, safety, morals, comforts, convenience, and general welfare of the Township. The question carries no tax.
- Road levy renewal. A renewal property tax for Washington Township (unincorporated area only) for the purpose of general construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, and repair of streets, roads and bridges, that the county auditor estimates will collect $167,894 annually, at a rate not exceeding 3 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $89 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value, for a period of five years, commencing in 2027, first due in calendar year 2028.
The BOE’s filed issues list (revised 9/1/2026) is the complete inventory of issues filed for the November 3, 2026 election; no other Licking County jurisdiction has an issue on the ballot. The City of Newark has no citywide issue — only the two Newark 2-B precinct liquor options and the Newark Township additional road levy, which reaches some Newark city precincts. No school district other than Southwest Licking Local has an issue.
Statewide — On Every Ohio Ballot
- Governor and Lieutenant Governor — Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert A. McColley (Republican); Amy Acton and David Pepper (Democratic); Don Kissick and James L. Mills (Libertarian)
- Attorney General — Keith Faber (Republican) vs. John J. Kulewicz (Democratic)
- Auditor of State — Frank LaRose (Republican) vs. Annette Blackwell (Democratic)
- Secretary of State — Robert Sprague (Republican) vs. Allison Russo (Democratic) vs. Tom Pruss (Libertarian)
- Treasurer of State — Jay Edwards (Republican) vs. Seth Walsh (Democratic)
- U.S. Senator (unexpired term ending January 3, 2029) — Jon Husted (Republican) vs. Sherrod Brown (Democratic) vs. William B. Redpath (Libertarian) vs. Greg Levy
- The two Ohio Supreme Court races — Daniel R. Hawkins (Republican) vs. Marilyn Zayas (Democratic) for the term beginning January 1, 2027, and Jennifer Brunner (Democratic) vs. Colleen O’Donnell (Republican) for the term beginning January 2, 2027 — appear under Judgeships on ballots where that section is listed, and in the results table below.
- State Issue 3 — proposed constitutional amendment (placed on the ballot by the General Assembly): would require voters to present photo identification in order to vote. Approved photo ID would be an unexpired Ohio driver license or state identification card, a U.S. passport or passport card, or a U.S. military, Ohio National Guard, or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs identification card. A majority YES vote is required for adoption.
Full statewide coverage: Election HQ.
How to Vote in Licking County
Early in-person voting is at the Licking County Board of Elections, Don Hill County Administration Building, 20 South Second Street, Newark, OH 43055. Final-week hours:
- Monday, October 26: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 27: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 28 – Friday, October 30: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, October 31: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday, November 1: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (the last day of early in-person voting)
Absentee ballots: applications must be received by the Board of Elections by Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. Voted absentee ballots must be received by the board by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day — there is no postmark grace period for regular absentee ballots, so mail yours early enough to arrive, return it in person, or use the board’s secure drop box where one is provided. Military and overseas (UOCAVA) ballots must be received by Saturday, November 7.
Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026 — polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you are in line by 7:30 p.m., you may vote.
Find your polling place and see your own sample ballot: Licking County Board of Elections (the board’s official site, as listed in the Ohio Secretary of State’s directory of county boards of elections).
Licking County Results — Election Night
Results will be posted here on election night, after polls close at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3 — from the Licking County Board of Elections and the Ohio Secretary of State’s official reporting, as they are published. NewsForce247 reports the figures; we do not call races.
| Race / Issue | Candidate / Choice | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Senator | Jon Husted (R) | |
| Sherrod Brown (D) | ||
| William B. Redpath (L) | ||
| Greg Levy | ||
| Governor / Lt. Governor | Ramaswamy / McColley (R) | |
| Acton / Pepper (D) | ||
| Kissick / Mills (L) | ||
| Attorney General | Keith Faber (R) | |
| John J. Kulewicz (D) | ||
| Auditor of State | Frank LaRose (R) | |
| Annette Blackwell (D) | ||
| Secretary of State | Robert Sprague (R) | |
| Allison Russo (D) | ||
| Tom Pruss (L) | ||
| Treasurer of State | Jay Edwards (R) | |
| Seth Walsh (D) | ||
| Supreme Court (1-1-2027) | Daniel R. Hawkins (R) | |
| Marilyn Zayas (D) | ||
| Supreme Court (1-2-2027) | Jennifer Brunner (D) | |
| Colleen O’Donnell (R) | ||
| State Issue 3 (photo ID) | Yes | |
| No | ||
| County Commissioner | Kathy McLeish (D) | |
| Mark A. Van Buren (R) | ||
| Justice of the Supreme Court | Daniel R. Hawkins (R) | |
| Marilyn Zayas (D) | ||
| Justice of the Supreme Court | Jennifer Brunner (D) | |
| Colleen O’Donnell (R) | ||
| Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (Probate/Juvenile Division) | Michael Dalsanto | |
| Deborah G. Lang | ||
| Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (Domestic Relations Division) | Robert D. Essex | |
| Richard P. Wright | ||
| Representative to Congress (12th District) | Jerrad Christian (D) | |
| Troy Balderson (R) | ||
| State Representative (68th District) | Mason Blankenship (D) | |
| Thad Claggett (R) | ||
| State Representative (69th District) | Amy Rigsby (D) | |
| Kevin D. Miller (R) | ||
| Park district levy renewal | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| Income tax replacement (0.75% to 2% earned income) | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| $80,710,000 bond issue | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| Library levy renewal | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| Charter amendment — emergency resolutions | Yes | |
| No | ||
| Charter amendment — Planning Commission rezoning deadline | Yes | |
| No | ||
| Charter amendment — publication of ordinances | Yes | |
| No | ||
| Charter amendment — Charter Revision Commission package | Yes | |
| No | ||
| Charter amendment — salaries of elected officials | Yes | |
| No | ||
| Charter amendment — Parks and Recreation Board | Yes | |
| No | ||
| Charter amendment — data center prohibition | Yes | |
| No | ||
| Operating levy renewal | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| Fire and EMS levy renewal | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| Charter amendment — data center prohibition | Yes | |
| No | ||
| Local liquor option — Johnstown Duchess | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| Local liquor option — Granville Milling Country Store | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| Local liquor option — Union St. Duchess | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| Local liquor option — Mill Wheel Tavern | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| Local liquor option — Etna Duchess | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| Fire and EMS levy renewal | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| Fire and EMS levy renewal | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| Greenspace levy renewal | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| Fire and EMS levy renewal | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| Additional fire and EMS levy (continuing) | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| Fire and EMS levy renewal | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| Additional road levy | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| Proposed zoning plan | For the levy | |
| Against the levy | ||
| Road levy renewal | For the levy | |
| Against the levy |
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More for Licking County
Ballot information on this page comes from the Licking County Board of Elections’ official records and Ohio Secretary of State publications, researched October 2026. Candidate party labels are shown exactly as printed on the official ballot. After Election Day, this page becomes Licking County’s standing news page, with the 2026 ballot and results kept as the record.