One candidate is tracked for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Probate/Juvenile Division (term begins February 9, 2027) on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Zachary Lane Saunders. Candidate information follows official Athens County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Judicial races are nonpartisan on the November ballot. Saunders, the sitting judge, won the Democratic primary unopposed on May 5, 2026 (4,071 votes, official results; no Republican filed a valid petition) and is the only name on the Board of Elections' November candidate list for this six-year term.
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. Six-year term. The sitting officeholder, Zachary Lane Saunders, is on the ballot. One name is on the ballot for this seat.
Ohio › Athens County › Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Probate/Juvenile Division (term begins February 9, 2027)
Nonpartisan Incumbent
Zachary Lane Saunders is the sitting judge of the Athens County Common Pleas Court, Probate/Juvenile Division, per the Athens County Board of Elections roster. Per Court News Ohio he was an assistant county prosecutor from 2015 and earlier practiced criminal defense law, and holds a law degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.
Who is running for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Probate/Juvenile Division (term begins February 9, 2027) in 2026?
One candidate is tracked for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Probate/Juvenile Division (term begins February 9, 2027) on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Zachary Lane Saunders. Candidate information follows official Athens County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Probate/Juvenile Division (term begins February 9, 2027) election in Ohio?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Ohio are on the Ohio election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Athens 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.
Candidate roster from official Athens County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Ohio election office, or see the full Athens County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
6 tracked races in Athens County, Ohio. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.