Licking County, Ohio

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Probate/Juvenile

2 candidates are tracked for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Probate/Juvenile on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Michael Dalsanto and Deborah G. Lang. Candidate information follows official Licking County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Incumbent Deborah G. Lang, first elected in 2020, faces Michael Dalsanto, per the Board of Elections' certified candidate list. Ohio judicial candidates print without a party label.

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. The sitting officeholder, Deborah G. Lang, is on the ballot.

Ohio › Licking County › Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Probate/Juvenile

Michael Dalsanto

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

Says he will protect constitutional rights for everyone without exception
Believes local decisions about Licking County's courthouse, schools, and affairs should be made by local people
Wants Juvenile and Probate Court decisions based on the best interests of children and families, with a diversion process to keep low-level offenders out of the formal system

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Dalsanto is a government teacher at Watkins Memorial High School and a trial attorney with more than a decade practicing in Licking County courts, including Probate and Juvenile Court, per the campaign site. He has served as a court-appointed guardian ad litem for children and as a court-appointed criminal defense attorney, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Deborah G. Lang

Nonpartisan Incumbent

Biography

Deborah G. Lang appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Probate/Juvenile, 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 Deborah G. Lang.

Next on your ballotJudge of the Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Probate/Juvenile in 2026?

When is the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Probate/Juvenile 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 Licking 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 Licking County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Licking County ballot

8 tracked races in Licking County, Ohio. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Judge of the Fifth District Court of Appeals (term commencing 2/9/2027)Ohio House District 68 Ohio House District 69 See all 8 Licking County races

Candidate profiles

Michael Dalsanto, full profile Deborah G. Lang, full profile Official Ohio election office