The Ballot Brief
Richland County, Ohio

Judge of the Fifth District Court of Appeals

One candidate is tracked for Judge of the Fifth District Court of Appeals on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Matthew George. Candidate information follows official Richland County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Term 2/9/2027-2/8/2033. This appellate seat covers multiple north-central and eastern Ohio counties including Richland. Matthew George was the only candidate to file for the November ballot after winning a three-way Republican primary.

What this office does

Appellate or supreme court justice. Appellate judges review decisions of trial courts for legal error rather than retrying facts. A state supreme court is the final word on state law and the state constitution. Candidates may describe their experience and judicial philosophy but may not promise outcomes in particular cases.

This race. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

Ohio › Richland County › Judge of the Fifth District Court of Appeals

Matthew George

Matthew George

Republican

Top priorities
  • Applying the law as written and opposing what he describes as judicial activism
  • Defending constitutional rights including religious liberty and the Second Amendment, as stated in his campaign platform

Per the campaign site.

Biography

George has served as a judge on the Licking County Municipal Court since 2020 and previously worked as a magistrate in Licking County courts, with more than 18 years of total judicial experience, per his campaign site. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Ashland University in 2002 and a Juris Doctor from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 2007, per the Richland Source.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Next on your ballotOhio House District 76

See your full ballot

Your address is only used to match your districts.

Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Judge of the Fifth District Court of Appeals in 2026?

One candidate is tracked for Judge of the Fifth District Court of Appeals on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Matthew George. Candidate information follows official Richland County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Judge of the Fifth District Court of Appeals 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 Richland 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 Richland County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Richland County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Richland County CommissionerRichland County AuditorRichland County Clerk of Courts (Unexpired Term)See all 7 Richland County races
Candidate profiles
Matthew George, full profileOfficial Ohio election office