Oakland County, Michigan

Judge of Probate Court (non-incumbent position)

2 candidates are tracked for Judge of Probate Court (non-incumbent position) on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Elisabeth Dery and Jessica Ann Hallmark. Candidate information follows official Oakland County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Elisabeth Dery won the most votes with about 41 percent and Jessica Ann Hallmark advanced with about 38 percent in the August 4 nonpartisan primary, eliminating Sheila Calvary Worthy-Williams, per official results certified by the Michigan Secretary of State; Dery and Hallmark meet on the November 3 ballot.

What this office does

Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.

This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels.

Michigan › Oakland County › Judge of Probate Court (non-incumbent position)

Elisabeth Dery

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

Brings extensive probate law experience to the bench
Emphasizes compassion, aiming to make probate court a place families feel heard and treated with dignity
Focused on sharing probate law knowledge with families navigating the court

Per the campaign site.

Biography

A probate attorney of more than a decade who has settled estates, established guardianships, and protected vulnerable adults and children, per her campaign site. She is a partner at the Clarkston firm Yun Dery and Morgan, where she manages a 16-member legal team, per Legal News coverage, with endorsements including State Senator Rosemary Bayer and Farmington Hills Mayor Theresa Rich, per her campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Jessica Ann Hallmark

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

Nearly two decades of legal practice, professional leadership and community service
Commitment to impartial justice and treating all individuals with dignity and respect
Pledges to uphold the Constitution and administer justice efficiently

Per the campaign site.

Biography

An attorney of nearly two decades at the Bloomfield Hills firm Adkison Need Allen and Rentrop, handling real estate and business transactions, per her campaign site. She previously served as law clerk to the chief judge of the Oakland County Circuit Court, per her campaign site, and her mother Linda Hallmark served as an Oakland County Probate judge from 1997 to 2024, per Legal News coverage.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Judge of Probate Court (non-incumbent position) in 2026?

When is the Judge of Probate Court (non-incumbent position) election in Michigan?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Michigan are on the Michigan election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Oakland County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Oakland County and state election office filings, last verified October 1, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Michigan election office, or see the full Oakland County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Oakland County ballot

44 tracked races in Oakland County, Michigan. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

West Bloomfield Township Supervisor (Democratic primary)West Bloomfield Township Trustee (Democratic primary)Holly Township Park Commissioner See all 44 Oakland County races

Candidate profiles

Elisabeth Dery, full profile Jessica Ann Hallmark, full profile Official Michigan election office