Hardin County voters turned out at a rate of 52.91 percent in the November 3, 2026, general election, with 9,202 of the county’s 17,391 registered voters casting ballots, according to the Hardin County Board of Elections’ unofficial final results. All 21 of the county’s precincts reported, and the board’s summary, posted the night of the election, is now awaiting the official canvass and certification.
The county’s turnout was split between 5,681 voters on Election Day, 1,032 absentee ballots by mail, and 2,489 absentee ballots cast in person, the board’s summary shows. The results remain unofficial until the board completes its official canvass, which under Ohio Secretary of State Directive 2026-48 must begin no earlier than November 8 and no later than November 18, with certification due no later than Tuesday, November 24.
In the race for governor and lieutenant governor, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert A. McColley led in Hardin County with 5,859 votes, or 63.67 percent, while Democrat Amy Acton and David Pepper received 2,721 votes, or 29.57 percent. Libertarian Don Kissick and James L. Mills received 500 votes, or 5.43 percent. The county’s totals are unofficial and reflect only Hardin County voters.
In the county commissioner race, Republican Michael P. Kasler defeated Democrat Daryl G. Flowers, 6,195 votes to 2,829 votes, or 67.32 percent to 30.74 percent, according to the board’s summary. County Auditor Mark Schwemer, a Republican, ran unopposed and received 7,587 votes.
Voters in Hardin County also backed statewide Issue 3, the photo identification constitutional amendment, by a wide margin, with 6,897 voting yes and 1,873 voting no, or 74.95 percent to 20.35 percent of the votes cast on the issue. In the City of Kenton, voters rejected a proposed charter commission, with 1,276 voting no and 619 voting yes, or 65.77 percent to 31.91 percent.
In other contests on the Hardin County ballot, Republican Keith Faber led the attorney general race with 6,642 votes, Republican Frank LaRose led the auditor of state race with 6,667 votes, and Republican Robert Sprague led the secretary of state race with 6,413 votes. Republican Jon Husted led the U.S. Senate race in the county with 5,886 votes, and Republican Jim Jordan led the 4th District congressional race with 6,474 votes.
The official canvass will review the ballots, including absentee and provisional ballots, and the board must certify the results and submit its official vote total summary to the Secretary of State by November 24. Until that certification is complete, the numbers remain unofficial, and the board’s members and employees are prohibited from disclosing partial or final results of any contest between the completion of the unofficial canvass and certification, under the Secretary of State’s directive.
What happens next is the official canvass, which the Hardin County Board of Elections, at 1 Court House Square in Kenton, must begin by November 18 and complete with certification by November 24. Once certified, the board will submit its official results to the Secretary of State’s office.
Photo: Nheyob, CC BY-SA