Lake County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
15 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 10 Lake County races, led by the Lake County Commissioner (term beginning January 1, 2027) contest.
County offices
Commissioner (term beginning January 1, 2027)John T. Plecnik (R) · Tom Trombley (D)
John T. Plecnik (Republican) and Tom Trombley (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake County Commissioner (term beginning January 1, 2027).
John T. Plecnik Republican Incumbent
- Opposing property tax increases
- Economic development and job creation in Lake County
Per the campaign site.
About John T. Plecnik
John T. Plecnik is an associate professor of law at Cleveland State University's Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, per his campaign site. He was sworn in as Lake County's 79th commissioner on February 11, 2021 and is the incumbent seeking reelection, per the Lake County government website. He previously served as Willoughby Hills council vice president and finance chair, per his campaign site.
Tom Trombley Democratic
- Calls for open meetings, accessible communication and listening to all sides
- Supports full-time commitment to the office and clear visibility into county spending
- Prioritizes strengthening schools, recreation and fair property tax policy to keep the county attractive to younger families
Per the campaign site.
About Tom Trombley
Trombley holds an electrical engineering degree from the University of Michigan and a master's in industrial engineering from Wayne State University, and spent 34 years at Allen-Bradley and Rockwell Automation before retiring in 2017, per the campaign site. He has served eight years on the Painesville Township Schools Board and has lived in Lake County for 43 years, per the campaign site.
Republican incumbent John T. Plecnik, who has held the seat since February 11, 2021, faces Democrat Tom Trombley for the four-year term beginning January 1, 2027, per the Lake County Board of Elections certified candidate list.
Full race pageCommissioner (unexpired term ending January 1, 2029)Morgan R. McIntosh (R) · Lisa Lewins (D)
Morgan R. McIntosh (Republican) and Lisa Lewins (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake County Commissioner (unexpired term ending January 1, 2029).
Morgan R. McIntosh Republican Incumbent
Morgan R. McIntosh is the incumbent Lake County commissioner, appointed to the seat on January 6, 2026, per the county government website. He spent two decades as president of AMFM Incorporated, a Willoughby-based manufacturing company, retiring in 2022 after its sale. He previously served 10 years on the Concord Township Zoning Commission. No campaign website was found as of September 10, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Morgan R. McIntosh.
Lisa Lewins Democratic
Lisa Lewins is the Democratic nominee for the Lake County commissioner seat with an unexpired term through January 1, 2029, per the Lake County Board of Elections certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 10, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Lisa Lewins.
Republican Morgan R. McIntosh, appointed to the seat January 6, 2026, faces Democrat Lisa Lewins for the balance of the unexpired term ending January 1, 2029, per the Lake County Board of Elections certified candidate list.
Full race pageAuditorChristopher A. Galloway (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Christopher A. Galloway (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake County Auditor.
Christopher A. Galloway Republican Incumbent
Christopher A. Galloway is the incumbent Lake County auditor, per the Lake County government website. He is unopposed on the November 2026 ballot, per the Board of Elections certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 10, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Christopher A. Galloway.
Republican incumbent Christopher A. Galloway is unopposed for reelection to the term beginning March 8, 2027, per the Lake County Board of Elections certified candidate list.
Full race pageJudges
Common Pleas Court Judge (Domestic Relations Division)Nonpartisan race · Jeffrey H. Black
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jeffrey H. Black is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge (Domestic Relations Division).
Jeffrey H. Black Nonpartisan
Jeffrey H. Black appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge (Domestic Relations Division), per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 10, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Jeffrey H. Black.
Jeffrey H. Black, the Republican primary nominee, is unopposed for the Domestic Relations Division seat currently held by Judge Falkowski, who is not seeking reelection; Ohio judicial candidates appear on the November ballot without party labels, per the Lake County Board of Elections certified candidate list.
Full race pageCommon Pleas Court Judge (Juvenile Division)Nonpartisan race · Michael L. DeLeone
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Michael L. DeLeone is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge (Juvenile Division).
Michael L. DeLeone Nonpartisan Incumbent
Michael L. DeLeone is the incumbent Lake County Common Pleas Court judge in the Juvenile Division and is unopposed for reelection, per the Lake County Board of Elections certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 10, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Michael L. DeLeone.
Incumbent Michael L. DeLeone, the Republican primary nominee, is unopposed for reelection; Ohio judicial candidates appear on the November ballot without party labels, per the Lake County Board of Elections certified candidate list.
Full race pageCommon Pleas Court Judge (General Division)Nonpartisan race · John P. O'Donnell
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
John P. O'Donnell is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge (General Division).
John P. O'Donnell Nonpartisan Incumbent
John P. O'Donnell is the incumbent Lake County Common Pleas Court judge in the General Division and is unopposed for reelection, per the Lake County Board of Elections certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 10, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for John P. O'Donnell.
Incumbent John P. O'Donnell, the Republican primary nominee, is unopposed for reelection; Ohio judicial candidates appear on the November ballot without party labels, per the Lake County Board of Elections certified candidate list.
Full race pageCommon Pleas Court Judge (Probate Division)Nonpartisan race · Mark J. Bartolotta
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Mark J. Bartolotta is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge (Probate Division).
Mark J. Bartolotta Nonpartisan Incumbent
Mark J. Bartolotta is the incumbent Lake County Common Pleas Court judge in the Probate Division and is unopposed for reelection, per the Lake County Board of Elections certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 10, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Mark J. Bartolotta.
Incumbent Mark J. Bartolotta, the Republican primary nominee, is unopposed for reelection; Ohio judicial candidates appear on the November ballot without party labels, per the Lake County Board of Elections certified candidate list.
Full race pageCities and towns
Mentor City Council Ward 3 (unexpired term ending 12/31/27)Nonpartisan race · Charles E. Pinkerman · Jessie Baginski
Charles E. Pinkerman and Jessie Baginski are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Mentor City Council Ward 3 (unexpired term ending 12/31/27).
Charles E. Pinkerman Nonpartisan
Charles E. Pinkerman is the incumbent Mentor City Council Ward 3 member, appointed September 2, 2025 to fill the vacancy left by Mark Freeman's resignation, per a City of Mentor announcement. He is on the November 2026 ballot to complete the remainder of the term, which runs through December 31, 2027. No campaign website was found as of September 10, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Charles E. Pinkerman.
Jessie Baginski Nonpartisan
Jessie Baginski is President and CEO of Leadership Lake County, a nonprofit educational organization in Mentor that develops leadership programs for emerging community leaders, per a Yahoo News profile. She spent most of her career in public relations for small businesses, government and nonprofit organizations, including the Society for Rehabilitation of Children and Adults, Laketran, and as an adjunct marketing professor at Cleveland State University, per the same source. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Charles E. Pinkerman, appointed to the seat September 2, 2025, and Jessie Baginski were certified August 13, 2026 for the November ballot to complete the remainder of the term, which runs through December 31, 2027, per the Lake County Board of Elections certified candidate list.
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Lake County is split across 2 Ohio House districts.
Find your districts by addressOhio House: 2 districtsDistricts 23, 57
Ohio House District 23Daniel P. Troy (D) · Julie A. Belich (R)
Daniel P. Troy Democratic Incumbent
- Property tax reform for seniors on fixed incomes
- Increased state funding for schools
- Funding and support for first responders
Per the campaign site.
About Daniel P. Troy
Daniel P. Troy is the sitting Ohio State Representative for House District 23, representing Lake and Cuyahoga counties, per his campaign site. He has been recognized as Democratic Legislator of the Year by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, per his campaign site.
Julie A. Belich Republican
Julie A. Belich is the Republican candidate for Ohio House District 23 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Daniel P. Troy (Democratic), Julie A. Belich (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Ohio House District 23; Daniel P. Troy is the sitting member, per the Ohio House of Representatives's official member directory (ohiohouse.gov). Nominees were chosen at the May 5, 2026 primary or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list; Ohio prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageOhio House District 57Rick Walker (D) · Jesse Styles (R)
Rick Walker Democratic
Rick Walker is the Democratic candidate for Ohio House District 57 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Walker has served on Perry (Lake County) City Council since 2011, per campaign Facebook page cross-referenced with local coverage. Walker owns Walker Floors and Window Fashions, per campaign Facebook page. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Jesse Styles Republican
- Free-market energy reforms prioritizing affordability, reliability and consumer choice
- Funding for police, fire and emergency services
- School choice and parental rights, and strengthening local control of schools
Per the campaign site.
About Jesse Styles
Jesse Styles is the Republican candidate for Ohio House District 57 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Styles is the founder, president and CEO of Northstar Towers, a telecommunications company, per Jesse Styles campaign site. He previously worked as a U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighter and as Ohio Statehouse legislative staff, per Jesse Styles campaign site.
Rick Walker (Democratic), Jesse Styles (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Ohio House District 57. Not on the November ballot: Jamie Callender, the sitting member per the roster. Nominees were chosen at the May 5, 2026 primary or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list; Ohio prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageSee your full ballot
Voting info and more
Voting info and more
Verify your ballot with the official election office.
Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
Ohio nominees were set by the May 5 primary; a plurality wins in November, unopposed candidates still print, and judicial candidates appear without party labels, per the Secretary of State.
Who is on the ballot in Lake County, Ohio on November 3, 2026?
Lake County sample ballot 2026: see where the commissioner (term beginning january 1 (2027)) candidates stand on property taxes and schools. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in Ohio?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Ohio are listed on the Ohio election hub. Ohio election hub →
How do I see my exact Lake County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →
Ohio statewide racesEvery Ohio race on this county's ballot.All Ohio ballot measures1 statewide ballot measureCandidate roster last updated Sep 27, 2026 from official election sources.