Wood County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
12 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 6 Wood County races, led by the Wood County Commissioner contest.
County offices
CommissionerBrenna Reynolds (D) · Ryan E. Lee (R) · Joseph R. DeMare (Independent)
Brenna Reynolds (Democratic), Ryan E. Lee (Republican) and Joseph R. DeMare (Independent) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Wood County Commissioner.
Brenna Reynolds Democratic
- Stronger coordination among fire and EMS providers to share resources while maintaining local control
- Responsible financial stewardship and long-term investment in infrastructure, technology, and cybersecurity
- Development that pays its fair share and strengthens the tax base without shifting costs to residents
Per the campaign site.
About Brenna Reynolds
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Reynolds is a two-term member of Rossford City Council whose professional background is in regional development and public service, helping communities navigate complex challenges, per her campaign site.
Ryan E. Lee Republican
Lee is assistant superintendent at Penta Career Center and holds a master's degree in educational leadership and administration from Bowling Green State University, per BG Independent News. He has 24 years with the Central Joint Fire District as an active firefighter and former assistant fire chief, and previously served 14 years on the Elmwood Local Schools board of education and as mayor and a council member in Jerry City. No campaign website was found as of September 9, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Ryan E. Lee.
Joseph R. DeMare Independent
- Opposes further data center development in Wood County, including the Meta data center project
- Supports grassroots democracy, improving the county parks system, and expanding social services
Per the Perrysburg Messenger Journal / Rossford Record Journal.
About Joseph R. DeMare
DeMare is co-chair of the Wood County Green Party, running as an independent because Ohio removed the party's ballot status in 2018, per BG Independent News. He gathered more than 600 petition signatures to qualify for the November ballot after announcing his candidacy in May 2026. No campaign website was found as of September 9, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Joseph R. DeMare.
Term commencing 01/01/2027. Incumbent Republican Doris Herringshaw withdrew from the race in mid-2026 citing health concerns; the Wood County Republican Central Committee selected Ryan E. Lee from nine applicants on August 6, 2026 to take her place on the ballot, per BG Independent News and the Sentinel-Tribune. The seat is open; none of the three November candidates is the sitting commissioner.
Full race pageAuditorMark Wongrowski (D) · Matthew R. Oestreich (R)
Mark Wongrowski (Democratic) and Matthew R. Oestreich (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Wood County Auditor.
Mark Wongrowski Democratic
- Strengthening valuation quality control and improving communication with residents during revaluations
- Making the Board of Revision appeals process easier for residents to understand and navigate
Per the campaign site.
About Mark Wongrowski
Wongrowski grew up on his family farm in Wood County and earned a business administration degree from Bowling Green State University, per the campaign site. He now manages rental properties in Bowling Green and helps run his family's farm operation, per the campaign site.
Matthew R. Oestreich Republican Incumbent
Oestreich has served as Wood County Auditor since October 2017 and has worked in the Auditor's office for more than 25 years, per the Auditor's office. He previously served as Assistant Chief Deputy Auditor and as the county's Weights and Measures Inspector. No campaign website was found as of September 9, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Matthew R. Oestreich.
Term commencing 03/08/2027. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageJudges
Judge of the Wood County Court of Common Pleas, General DivisionNonpartisan race · Paul A. Dobson · Joel M. Kuhlman
Paul A. Dobson and Joel M. Kuhlman are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Judge of the Wood County Court of Common Pleas, General Division.
Paul A. Dobson Nonpartisan
- Serving with fairness, professionalism, and integrity, with a focus on justice for victims and public safety
- Continuing court programs such as the Courthouse Facility Dog and felony diversion initiatives
Per the campaign site.
About Paul A. Dobson
Dobson has served as Wood County Prosecuting Attorney for 17 years and has been a trial attorney for 31 years, almost entirely in Wood County prosecution, per the campaign site.
Joel M. Kuhlman Nonpartisan Incumbent
- Says the court has reduced its backlog of ongoing criminal cases by over 50% and increased successful appeals by more than 75% during his term
- Wants to expand GPS monitoring programs, increase funding for treatment initiatives, and add transportation services for defendants
Per the BG Independent News.
About Joel M. Kuhlman
Kuhlman has served as a Wood County Common Pleas judge since 2021 and is the Administrative Judge overseeing all three general division common pleas courts, per BG Independent News. Before taking the bench, he spent more than a decade in private practice representing businesses and municipalities and served as law director for multiple local governments. No campaign website was found as of September 9, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Joel M. Kuhlman.
Term commencing 01/01/2027; judges print without party labels in November. Dobson ran in the May 5, 2026 Republican primary; Kuhlman is the sitting judge and was unopposed in his primary, per the certified candidate list.
Full race pageJudge of the Wood County Probate CourtNonpartisan race · Megan E. Newlove · Doug Ruck
Megan E. Newlove and Doug Ruck are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Judge of the Wood County Probate Court.
Megan E. Newlove Nonpartisan
- Emphasizes hands-on courtroom experience across probate and juvenile matters, from guardianships to child protection cases
- Running a voter-education series explaining what the probate and juvenile courts do
Per the campaign site.
About Megan E. Newlove
Newlove is a Bowling Green attorney with more than 25 years of experience in estate planning, probate administration, adoptions, and guardianships, per her campaign site. She describes herself as a seventh-generation Wood County resident.
Doug Ruck Nonpartisan
- Approach probate and juvenile cases with integrity, respect for the law, and compassion
Per the campaign site.
About Doug Ruck
Ruck, known formally as J. Douglas Ruck, has nearly 28 years of law practice in the Pemberville, Perrysburg, and Bowling Green area, including probate and estate planning, trust and estate litigation, real estate, business, and agricultural law, per his campaign site. He has served as village solicitor for Luckey and, for the last 16 years, for Gibsonburg.
Term commencing 02/09/2027; judges print without party labels in November. Ruck's own campaign site identifies him as a Republican, but the office is nonpartisan on the ballot.
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Wood County is split across 2 Ohio House districts.
Find your districts by addressOhio House: 2 districtsDistricts 44, 75
Ohio House District 44David J Fournier (D) · Edward L Schimmel (R)
David J Fournier Democratic
- Property tax relief for homeowners and lowering costs on gas, groceries and utilities
- Ending what he calls sweetheart deals for utility companies
- Lowering insurance premiums and prescription costs while protecting rural hospital access
Per the campaign site.
About David J Fournier
Fournier is an attorney whose practice focuses on helping trustees of workers' health and retirement plans manage funds responsibly, per the campaign site. He is a husband and father of three from Northwest Ohio, per the campaign site.
Edward L Schimmel Republican
Edward L. Schimmel, the Republican nominee for the open Ohio House District 44 seat, is a Lucas County attorney who has served as mayor of Northwood since 2016, per the Perrysburg Messenger Journal. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
David J Fournier (Democratic), Edward L Schimmel (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Ohio House District 44. Not on the November ballot: Josh Williams, 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 pageOhio House District 75Haraz N. Ghanbari (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Haraz N. Ghanbari Republican Incumbent
Haraz N. Ghanbari is the Republican candidate for Ohio House District 75 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Haraz N. Ghanbari is a sitting member for the district, per the Ohio House of Representatives's official member directory (ohiohouse.gov). Represents the 75th Ohio House District in Wood County and is seeking re-election in 2026, per Ohio House of Representatives member directory. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Haraz N. Ghanbari (Republican) is on the November 3 ballot for Ohio House District 75; Haraz N. Ghanbari 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. Ballot status: Democratic primary winner Jake Kielmeyer withdrew after the primary, per local press; the Wood County Democratic Party may name a replacement, and the county Board of Elections' certified list settles whether a Democrat prints.
Full race pageBallot questions
2 local ballot questions from official county, city and school district lists. Countywide questions appear on every ballot in Wood County; city, school district and special-district questions only inside the jurisdiction named. Statewide measures are listed separately.
Wood County Senior Services Levy (Renewal)Countywide · A renewal tax levy of 1 mill for 5 years, commencing in 2026 and first due in calendar year 2027, for providing or maintaining senior services or facilities.
A renewal tax levy of 1 mill for 5 years, commencing in 2026 and first due in calendar year 2027, for providing or maintaining senior services or facilities. Countywide renewal levy funding senior services and facilities.
Full detailsWood County District Public Library Levy (Renewal)Countywide · A renewal tax levy of 0.8 mill for 6 years, commencing in 2027 and first due in calendar year 2028, for current expenses of the Wood County District Public Library.
A renewal tax levy of 0.8 mill for 6 years, commencing in 2027 and first due in calendar year 2028, for current expenses of the Wood County District Public Library. Countywide library district renewal levy for current expenses.
Full detailsSee 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 Wood County, Ohio on November 3, 2026?
Wood County sample ballot 2026: see where the county commissioner and county auditor candidates stand on roads, public safety and growth. 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 →
What ballot questions are on the Wood County ballot?
2 ballot questions: Wood County Senior Services Levy (Renewal); Wood County District Public Library Levy (Renewal). Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Wood 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 →
Sample ballot by ZIP code in Wood County28 ZIP codes
Candidate roster last updated Sep 25, 2026 from official election sources.